Personal Picks Episode Twenty - Bob In The Basement (1967)

 

Welcome to a long overdue new episode of Personal Picks. As with episode ten, this is going to be Bob Dylan centric but we're focusing on one album, the Basement Tapes, which was released in 1975 but was recorded largely in 1967 in Bob's basement. As with my last episode, we'll have five songs from Bob and five people covering him. To make it a bit more fun, I've taken five covers that Bob did for his selections.

The Songs

As I mentioned Bob's songs are all covers and really show his musical interests with folk ballads from around the world and some other interesting picks. For the covers, I looked up a few of my favourite Basement Tape songs and ended up getting a version of Wheels On Fire by Kylie Minogue! There are a few selections from the excellent soundtrack of I'm Not There. I also discovered an entire album of covers of Basement Tape songs from, a previously unknown to me, band called Famous Horses. 

The playlist  (You can check out this playlist on Spotify).

1) Big River - Take 2 - Bob Dylan, The Band

2) Apple Suckling Tree - Famous Horses

3) The Auld Triangle - Bob Dylan, The Band

4) Goin' To Acapulco - Jim James, Clexico

5) Four Strong Winds - Bob Dylan, The Band

6) This Wheels On Fire - Kylie Minogue

7) The French Girl - Take 2 - Bob Dylan, The Band

8) You Ain't Going Nowhere - Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová

9) A Fool Such As I - Bob Dylan, The Band 

10) I'm Not There - Sonic Youth

Girl From The North Country

 

I am still recovering from the impact of seeing Girl from the North Country. For those that don't know, the show is a musical based on the music of Bob Dylan. The title comes from a Dylan song from 1965, the earliest song used, albeit without vocals. The story was written by Irishman Conor McPherson and, as other people have noted, is not dissimilar to the works of John Steinbeck. It is set in a boarding house in Dylan's hometown of Duluth, Minnesota in the winter of 1934 when America is in the grip of the Great Depression. The plot is deceptively simple but what makes it great, at least when it came to the performance I saw, was the skills of the actors involved. Indeed they won over my three companions and they were largely unfamiliar with Dylan's work and so their responses were due to the actors skills in word and song. (I think one aspect of my enjoyment was the wonderful interpretations and performances of songs I was largely familiar with). All of us agreed that Frances McNamee was a standout as Elizabeth Laine. She created a believable character and gave us wonderful performances of Like A Rolling Stone and Forever Young amongst others. A bit unfair as there were a number of times where each main actor shone but she was the one we were discussing when it was over. 

To be a Dylan guy for a second, I found the song choices interesting as McPherson largely stayed away from the big names and big albums. There was only one song each from the celebrated albums Blood on the Tacks (1975) and Desire (1976) whereas less favourably reviewed albums Street Legal (1978) and Infidels (1983) supplied three songs each. I personally find Street Legal to be an underrated album and grew up listening to Infidels so was delighted with the choices. Also included is a personal favourite I Want You (beautifully performed as a duet by Gregor Milne and Katherine Draper). All in all, McPherson has chosen songs that fit the narrative and create an atmosphere that got an emotional reaction out of me. Oddly, for me as a Dylan fan, one of the performance that resonated with me, and my husband, was of the relatively new song, and newest one used, Duquesne Whistle (performed by Ross Carswell). One of the more lively songs. You Ain't Going Nowhere equally picked up the mood. Other interesting aspects are the medleys created (with such smooth transitions) and how all the songs conform to the overall style and mood.

Here's a summary of some of the songs that feature in the show in general (with albums included as I can't help myself):

• Sign on the Window (New Morning, 1970)
• Went to See the Gypsy (New Morning, 1970)
• Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love) (Empire Burlesque, 1985)
• Slow Train (Slow Train Coming, 1979)
• License to Kill (Infidels, 1983)
• I Want You (Blonde on Blonde, 1966)
• Like a Rolling Stone (Highway 61 Revisited, 1965)
• What Can I Do For You? (Saved, 1980)
• Make You Feel My Love (Time Out of Mind, 1997)
• You Ain't Going Nowhere (Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II, 1971, original recording 1967 recording with The Band released in the Basement Tapes, 1975)
• Jokerman (Infidels, 1983)
• Sweetheart Like You (Infidels, 1983)
• True Love Tends to Forget (Street Legal, 1978)
• Girl from the North Country (Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, 1965) (Acoustic)
• Ballad of a Thin Man (Highway 61 Revisited, 1965)
• Hurricane (Desire, 1976)
• All Along the Watchtower (John Wesley Harding, 1976)
• Idiot Wind (Blood on the Tracks, 1975)
• Duquesne Whistle (Tempest, 2012)
• Señor (Tales of Yankee Power) (Street Legal, 1978)
• Is Your Love in Vain? (Street Legal, 1978)
• Forever Young (Planet Waves, 1974)

As a Dylan fan, I think I was hardwired to either love this or hate the show and I am happy to say it was the former. In fact, my reaction was pretty much summed up by Dylan's own reaction: "Sure, I've seen it, and it affected me. I saw it as an anonymous spectator, not as someone who had anything to do with it. I just let it happen. The play had me crying at the end. I can't even say why. When the curtain came down, I was stunned. I really was. Too bad Broadway shut down because I wanted to see it again." (Taken from a New York Times interview with historian, Douglas Brinkley). I want to see it again too and I highly recommend it.

Personal Picks Episode Nineteen - Selection Box

So the last playlist is basically a bunch of different songs that I like that I will probably not be able to find a subject to fit into. As it is the festive season and your house may still have some, I'm calling it "Selection Box". For the topic I'm going to go for my 2021 picks in a few different areas.

Theme: 2021 Selections

TV: I'm going to have to go with It's A Sin. It took me several months to work up to watching it. I knew it was going to be a tear jerker and it was. Great acting and an important reminder about a terrible time in history that needs to be remembered. Also:

• Doctor Who: The Flux

• Special Season 2

• Doom Patrol Season 3

• Squid Game

Movies: From pure emotional reaction, I'm gonna have to go with Spider-man: No Way Home. No spoilers. It just hit my geek buttons.

• The Suicide Squad

• Shame // Less

• No Straight Lines

• The French Dispatch

Comics: The one series that really impacted my brain was Crossover. I'll say this: comic book fans will get so much out of it.

• Someone Robbed My Private Parts 
• Strange Adventures
• Marauders
• Doctor Who

The Songs

We start off with an Indy group from Dublin that you probably haven't heard of (they are no longer together but check out their stuff on Spotify and the music video for this song on YouTube). I picked a Dusty Springfield tune from the era where she was working with the Pet Shop Boys. I believe it was used for a TV show. The Amy Winehouse song feels like the cover of an older song. That's why I like it. I picked my favourite Arcade Fire song. One of my favourite Gorillaz songs is next. My favourite one is not on Spotify. In fact, the entire album is missing. They made it while they were on tour. An 80s band I somehow missed in the 80s is Alphaville. (Superfan and superfriend of mine, Michael Carroll, introduced me to their music) I picked my favourite of theirs. My Dylan favourite changes a lot but Abandoned Love is usually up there. In typical Dylan fashion, this gem was left off Desire so never appeared on a proper album. It appears on the excellent Side Tracks collection. A sad one next. One of Stephen Gately's last contributions to Boyzone (the video is quite emotional). The lyrics are quite poignant. I'm a big fan of soundtracks and the Scott Pilgrim movie so had to pick a song from that. I'm gonna cheat and add another Dylan song. One of his great longer songs. It is influenced by the movie The Gunfighter. Appropriately enough, the star Gregory Peck presented Dylan with an award years later and referenced the song.

The playlist  (You can check out this playlist on Spotify).

1. Sad Song - Junah

2. In Private - Dusty Springfield

3. Love Is A Losing Game - Amy Winehouse

4. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - Arcade Fire

5. To Binge - Gorillaz, Little Dragon

6. Sounds Like A Melody - Alphaville

7. Abandoned Love - Bob Dylan

8. Gave It All Away - Boyzone

9. It's Getting Boring By The Sea - Blood Red Shoes

10. Brownsville Girl - Bob Dylan

Bonus: My favourite Gorillaz tune

My Stops On The Never Ending Tour

As Bob Dylan hits 80, I was reminded of the times I've seen Bob on tour. A lot of people criticise his live performances but I enjoyed them. The setlist was always varied and I liked hearing the new mixed with the old.

The Point, Dublin, November 27th 2005

Brought my dad as a gift and ended up getting hooked. I remember being particular impressed with the performance of "Boots of Spanish Leather." My brother got to hear his favourite "It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)." 

1. Drifter’s Escape
2. Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)
3. God Knows
4. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
5. Love Minus Zero/No Limit
6. Cry a While
7. Boots of Spanish Leather
8. High Water (For Charley Patton)
9. Every Grain of Sand
10. Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
11. New Morning
12. Til I Fell in Love with You
13. Visions of Johanna
14. Highway 61 Revisited
15. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
16. All Along the Watchtower

Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, June 24th 2006

Convinced my best mate to do a weekend in Kilkenny. Everyone was happy with "Like a Rolling Stone" as you would be. Bob must've been feeling old school as there were only 3 songs from newer albums.

1. Maggie’s Farm
2. She Belongs to Me
3. Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
4. Lay, Lady, Lay
5. Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again
6. Love Sick
7. Watching the River Flow
8. Ballad of a Thin Man
9. Absolutely Sweet Marie
10. Highway 61 Revisited
11. Masters of War
12. Summer Days
13. Like a Rolling Stone
14. All Along the Watchtower

NOTE: Bob didn't play Ireland in 2007 and 2008.

The Point, Dublin, May 5th 2009

I think this is one I brought my dad and middle sister to. My brother was there too, She didn't get her favourite "Tangled Up In Blue" (he played it at every gig I went to after this one ironically) but she was happy enough with the night out. I loved hearing the recent "If You Ever Go to Houston" (I believe it was his time playing it live). 

1. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
2. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
3. Lonesome Day Blues
4. Just Like a Woman
5. John Brown
6. Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again
7. Under the Red Sky
8. Honest with Me
9. Masters of War
10. Highway 61 Revisited
11. Ain’t Talkin’
12. Thunder on the Mountain
13. Like a Rolling Stone
14. All Along the Watchtower
15. If You Ever Go to Houston
16. Blowin’ in the Wind

The Point, Dublin, May 6th 2009

Me and my brother decided to do a double header. We were rewarded with 8 songs we hadn't heard before (only one of which I would hear again).

1. Wicked Messenger
2. Girl from the North Country
3. Man in the Long Black Coat
4. Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again
5. Blind Willie McTell
6. Desolation Row
7. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
8. Po’ Boy
9. Highway 61 Revisited
10. Ballad of a Thin Man
11. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
12. Ain’t Talkin’
13. Summer Days
14. Like a Rolling Stone
15. All Along the Watchtower
16. If You Ever Go to Houston
17. Spirit on the Water
18. Blowin’ in the Wind

Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick, July 4th, 2010

Lads weekend with my dad and brother. I think we called up my sister when "Tangled Up In Blue" played. Bob also played one of my favourites "Workingman’s Blues #2." Ended up meeting David Gray, who was a genuinely nice bloke. It was cool to hear three songs from "Together Through Life."

1. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
2. Lay, Lady, Lay
3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
4. Just Like a Woman
5. Beyond Here Lies Nothin’
6. Tangled Up In Blue
7. Tryin’ to Get to Heaven
8. Cold Irons Bound
9. Love Sick
10. Highway 61 Revisited
11. Workingman’s Blues #2
12. Thunder on the Mountain
13. Ballad of a Thin Man
14. Like a Rolling Stone
15. I Feel a Change Comin’ On
16. Jolene
17. Blowin’ in the Wind

Live At The Marque, Cork, June 16th, 2011

Wisely or not, me and my mate did Cork and back in one day. Bob played his Oscar winner "Things Have Changed" (which I loved). He brings his statuette on tour. You can spot it most times. My friend was delighted to hear Bob do a cover until I revealed that "Forever Young" was one of Bob's and that he'd been hearing a cover version for years. Was a nice ending to the show.

1. Gonna Change My Way of Thinking
2. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
3. Things Have Changed
4. Tangled Up In Blue
5. Ballad of Hollis Brown
6. Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
7. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine
8. High Water (For Charley Patton)
9. Tryin’ to Get to Heaven
10. Highway 61 Revisited
11. Simple Twist of Fate
12. Thunder on the Mountain
13. Ballad of a Thin Man
14. Like a Rolling Stone
15. All Along the Watchtower
16. Forever Young

NOTE: Bob didn't play Ireland in 2012 and 2013

The 02, Dublin, June 17th, 2014

I think I flew solo at this one. A woman in the audience complained that Bob wasn't playing old stuff. "Tangled Up In Blue" (sorry again sis) being a new number of course. She then left before he played "Blowing In The Wind." In fairness, this one leaned pretty new as he played six songs from Tempest (2012).

1. Things Have Changed
2. She Belongs to Me
3. Beyond Here Lies Nothin’
4. What Good Am I?
5. Waitin’ for You
6. Duquesne Whistle
7. Pay in Blood
8. Tangled Up In Blue
9. Love Sick
10. High Water (For Charley Patton)
11. Simple Twist of Fate
12. Early Roman Kings
13. Forgetful Heart
14. Spirit on the Water
15. Scarlet Town
16. Soon After Midnight
17. Long and Wasted Years
18. All Along the Watchtower
19. Blowin’ in the Wind

Bob didn't play Ireland again until 2017 and I think I had been to enough. I do regret missing Kilkenny in 2019 as Neil Young was there and I think they played together.

Quick stats: I've heard 69 different songs live and the most frequent were "All Along The Watchtower" (6 times), "Highway 61 Revisited" (6 times) and "Like A Rolling Stone" (5 times). He played songs from 21 different studio albums (He had 35 studio albums completed up to the last gig I attended. The notable missing album for me is "Desire"). "John Brown" only appeared on "MTV Unplugged". "Blind Willie McTell" appeared on a bootleg series and a compilation album. "Watching The River Flow" appeared on a greatest hits. "Things Of Changed" is his Oscar winner and appears on compilations and a bootleg series. "Waiting For You" hasn't appeared on an album. The most frequent here were "Love and Theft" (7 songs) and "Tempest" (6 songs). 

Personal Picks Episode Ten - Bob Dylan Rare & Remade (1960s)

 

 A performer blows his tambourine.

To clear out the halls.

There's a battle outside raging.

It is time for my personal picks.

Welcome to a very special edition of Personal Picks where I let my Bob Dylan fandom fly. All today's picks were originally recorded in the 1960s. Half are songs that were left off studio albums or live versions, performed by the man himself. The other half are covers of his 1960s catalogue. To give you an idea of what I had to work with, here are his studio albums from that decade with some songs that appeared on them:

• Bob Dylan (1962) - House Of The Risin' Sun
• The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963) - Blowin' In The Wind, Masters Of War, Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
• The Times They Are a-Changin' (1964) - The Times They Are a-Changin'
• Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964) - Chimes Of Freedom
• Bringing It All Back Home (1965) - Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggie's Farm, Mr. Tambourine Man, Gates Of Eden, It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding), It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
• Highway 61 Revisited (1965) - Like A Rolling Stone, Ballad Of A Thin Man, Highway 61 Revisited, Desolation Row
• Blonde on Blonde (1966) - Visions Of Johanna, Just Like A Woman
• John Wesley Harding (1967) - All Along The Watchtower, I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
• Nashville Skyline (1969) - Girl From The North Country (with Johnny Cash), Lay Lady Lay, Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You

You might notice that I took a lot of Bob's performances from the album Side Tracks. This is one of my favourite albums and might not be known to non fans. I've also included a song from my favourite Dylan live album, Live At Budoken. For covers, it is mostly the soundtrack from I'm Not There. A strange movie with some great performances. Six actors depict different facets of Dylan's public personas: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger (his final film to be released during his lifetime), and Ben Whishaw.

Anyway, enjoy the picks

 (You can check out this playlist on Spotify).

1) Lay Down Your Weary Tune (Studio Outtake, 1963) - Bob Dylan

2) Moonshiner - Bob Forrest

3) Percy's Song (Studio Outtake, 1963) - Bob Dylan

4) Silver Dagger (Live at Philharmonic Hall, New York, October 1964) - Joan Baez, Bob Dylan 

5) Tomorrow Is A Long Time (Live at Town Hall, New York, April 1963) - Bob Dylan

6) When the Ship Comes In - Marcus Carl Franklin

7) If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Or Else You Got to Stay All Night) (Live at Philharmonic Hall, New York, October 1964) - Bob Dylan

8) Fourth Time Round - Yo La Tengo

9) Blowin' in the Wind (Live at Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, February/March 1978) - Bob Dylan

10) The Times They Are a-Changin' (Live at Madison Square Garden, New York, October 1992) - Tracy Chapman

I'm gonna delve some more into Dylan's catalogue. While I'm busy, check out these rollin' reads and all the watches.

Recommended reading: Tarantula, Chronicles

Recommended viewing: Masked and Anonymous, No Direction Home, I'm Not There