The Jean’s Blog: Bob’s Birthday Bash

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Bob’s Birthday Bash – Part 1

This Thursday is Bob Dylan’s 77th birthday so now seems like a good time to celebrate one of America’s most prolific and innovative songwriters by sharing some of my favorite Bob Dylan songs as performed by other artists (can you believe Dylan has been writing and performing for over 50 years?) People who don’t really like Dylan’s music because they don’t dig his singing voice might be surprised at how many of his compositions- performed by other artists- they already know and like.

Joan Baez

One of Bob Dylan’s earliest champions was American folk prodigy and political activist Joan Baez who not only dug Dylan’s unique and exciting songwriting but even performed his early songs and invited the young Minnesotan on stage to sing with her. Dylan eventually grew bored with folk music and moved onto rock while Baez remained- and remains- a folk icon. But Joan Baez is not the only artist Bob Dylan inspired. Here are some of my favorite Dylan covers. Enjoy the party- and Happy World Turtle Day!

Joan Baez at the March on Washington, 1963

01. The Turtles – “It Ain’t Me Babe” (1965)

02. Joan Baez – “Farewell, Angelina” (1965)
03. Cher – “All I Really Want to Do” (1965)
04. Manfred Mann – “Mighty Quinn” (1968)
05. The Byrds – “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” (1968)
06. Anberlin – “Like a Rolling Stone” (2005)
07. The Byrds – “The Times They Are-A Changin’ (First Version)” (1965)
08. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “All Along the Watchtower” (1968)
09. Jason & the Scorchers – “Absolutely Sweet Marie” (1983)
10. The Clancy Brothers, Robbie O’Connell, Tommy Makem – “When the Ship Comes In (Live)” (1992)
11. Peter, Paul, and Mary – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (Live)” (1967)
12. Johnny Rivers – “Positively 4th Street” (1968)
13. The Byrds – “Chimes of Freedom” (1965)
14. George Harrison – “If Not For You (2014 Mix)” (1970)
15. Joan Baez – “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” (1965)
16. William Shatner – “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1968)
17. Joan Baez – “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” (1965)
18. Lonnie Mack – “The Man in Me” (1971)
19. Wyclef Jean – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (2002)
20. Adele – “Make You Feel My Love” (2008)