Tune du Jour: “I Shall Be Released” – Bob Dylan
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Chrissie Hynde vs. Eddie Vedder and Jack Johnson vs. Playing for Change feat. Clarence Bekker and Roberto Luti
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
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The one thing that I will always remember regarding this beautiful song took place in early 1986. Pete and I went to see The Band at some fairground in Miami. Phenomenal show. The show ended with Richard Manuel doing vocals on I Shall Be Released. A few days later, after their next show in Winter Park, Richard Manuel hung himself. Can’t help but believe that Richard new what he was about to do as he sang it.
The Original
Bob Dylan:
The Last Waltz
Incredible Line-Up: Bob Dylan, The Band (Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Levon Helms and Richard Manuel), Neil Young, Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John, Ringo Star, among many others …
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Chrissie Hynde vs. Eddie Vedder and Jack Johnson vs. Playing for Change feat. Clarence Bekker and Roberto Luti
Chrissie Hynde:
Eddie Vedder and Jack Johnson:
Playing for Change feat. Clarence Bekker and Roberto Luti:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On!??!
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
I was at that concert. It was a two day affair, and I went to both shows. It was at some kinda race track (think horses not cars). Only time I ever saw both The Band and Donovan, both big favorites. I wonder if I was there with you. I also remember the new about Richard Manuel soon after.
Saw a Kate Rusby appearance from a couple weeks ago. Tried to post, but encountered some issues. Since I already wrote comments, maybe I’ll put it here:
Pleasantly surprised to see Kate Rusby make an appearance. I’ve got a half dozen CDs and a concert DVD by her. I always wanted to see her live, but I read somewhere she’s afraid to fly, so it won’t be on this side of the Atlantic.
She performs a number of traditional songs, and writes her own in a similar style, such that one must check the credits to determine which are which.
She had been married to John McCusker, formerly of The Battlefield Band, one of the better purveyors of Scots traditional music. They also blended traditional and original material in a seamless mix. I spoke to him after a concert in Atlanta in late eighties or early nineties. I wonder if those are John’s kids.
Hadn’t seen the Last Waltz version in a while. So much fun! How great would it have been to be there that night in any capacity. I was stunned when I first listened to the “original” version. Took a minute before it dawned on me that it technically is in that it’s the first version Dylan issued to the public. But he omits the entire first verse and lightens up the feel with a perkier tempo. The Basement Tapes version from 1967 is so different. A slow pace with an aching, solemn vibe then Richard Manuel adding high harmonies on the choruses. Haunting, and you get the impression the protagonist doesn’t really think he’s going to be released. So much better than the 1971 version.
Playing For Change are clean and pure on a slow bluesy effort. But too slow for me. They lost any sense of the melody. Just felt like something was missing. Jack Johnson? Not a fan. I remember when he appeared to some excitement to many. He’s a surfer! Yeah, so? Does that mean he sings better than a plumber or a golfer or security guard? This version was pure blandness until Eddie Vedder showed up. The last two minutes found a very nice groove but it was too late. Chrissie Hynde brought the most completely satisfying version from start to finish backed by a great band.
The concert Rich and Kerry have been talking about was Springfest at Hialeah Park, Miami March 3, 1986. I thought I might licate a ticket stub but no luck. It was a Thoroughbred race track often featuring many pink flamingos. I couldn’t find any info on supporting acts that day.
Amazed that you can remember it so well Pete! I guess if it is something to do with music you retain it forever. Was Kerry with us? I imagine he would have been.
I finally got around to checking my ticket stubs for the pair of shows at Hialeah Race Track, and I have ’em both. Saturday and Sunday March 1st and 2nd, 1986. No indication who played, and The Band and Donovan are all I remember.
Man am I feeling this song …
There are no words that can adequately describe the beauty of this song. The imagery is simply stunning. I can literally feel the pain through the singer.
I almost did not vote at all. I have listened to each of these superb covers multiple times, always thinking that the one I am presently hearing gets my vote.
Chrissie Hyne is spectacular as she usually is and the accompanying band could not have been better. But maybe because it was the last one I listened to, I voted for the stripped-down simplicity of Playing for Change. Before delving maniacally into cover songs, I had never heard of Clarence Bekker. But, God, can that man ever make you feel a song. I’d walk over to the next state to see him perform.
I don’t think Chrissie can do anything wrong.
Grace Potter did a lovely version of this as well
Yes, this is a timeless, classic song, as relevant as ever. Back in the day, I was a huge fan of the briefly famous Tom Robinson Band, and their album Power in the Darkness was a big touchstone, with 2-4-6-8 Motorway being their big hit, and Glad to Be Gay a powerful statement at the time. I saw them twice, and played their album a thousand times. He does a cover of I Shall Be Released on it, and his was the cover I was most familiar with. I like all three versions here. I was going to vote for Playing for Change, because I like their stripped-down simplicity, as Richie said. (They appeared in a previous post here and I voted for them in that post.) This time, I went with Eddie Vedder and Jack Johnson. I’ve always loved Vedder’s rich, resonant voice, and I think he does a terrific job here.
Eddie Vedder can pretty much do know wrong in my book, but Jack Johnson, man, I just never got the appeal, granted it’s on a very small sample size as I don’t think I ever made it through an entire song till today, but every damn thing I’ve heard seems to follow that same monotonous strum pattern and sappy vocal, so, sorry Eddie, loved your contribution but you got an anchor around your neck here
love playing for change, but this recording lacked their usual energy and uplifting vibe, maybe just chalk that up to the selection, but just wasn’t feeling them like I normally do
but Christie, damn, she had me from the opening lines, and that guitar intro was just perfect! Was that her on the Tele?
I swear she may have the most distinctive female voice on rock history. No one else quite has that perfect tone, pitch and combo of sweetness, grit and badass when she wants to bring it.
Now that’s how you bring energy to an otherwise very reflective song and take us to the top, as World Party might say