Just as I’m writing this Mason Jennings is singing ‘The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll’ on our main radio channel, a song written by Bob Dylan that featured on his 3rd studio album The Times They Are a-Changin’ released in 1964. The track featured on the soundtrack of Todd Haynes biographical musical I’m Not There (2007). Alongside the 2010 release Subterranean Homesick Blues: A Tribute to Bob Dylan’s ‘Bringing It All Back Home’ which featured a brilliant cover of Gates of Eden by DM Stith as well as covers covers by Laura Veirs, William Fitzsimmons and Josh Tillman it ranks amongst the best Bob Dylan tribute albums out there.
The bar has been set high, so to make a dent of recognition on the Dylan tribute market you need to pull off something a bit special that aims higher than another MOJO covermount CD. The latest offering A Tribute to Bob Dylan in the ’80s: Volume One is a daring prospect, not least because the album covers a period in Dylan’s career that many consider to be a low-light, at least in the commercial stakes. It gets a running start from producers Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, the Low Anthem) and Sean O’Brien (Dawes) taking the lead who between them have rounded up a strong army of Dylan fans in the form of: Built To Spill, Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash, Glen Hansard, Reggie Watts, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Lucius, Langhorne Slim, Craig Finn Of The Hold Steady, Deer Tick, Dawn Landes, Blitzen Trapper, Carl Broemel Of My Morning Jacket and more.
Needless to say there’s no shortage of publicity behind the album either which has it’s own website where you can pre-order the album: 80sdylan.com which showcases a timeline of videos, some of which are terrible (quality) whilst others shine through reminding you of what Bob got up to in those ten years. Singing along in the sun with Van the man in Athens was a worthwhile find:
Here’s what the album sounds like:
The album sales will also contribute towards the charity Pencils of Promise.
Tracklisting
Langhorne Slim & The Law – Got My Mind Made Up
Built To Spill – Jokerman
Reggie Watts – Brownsville Girl (Reprise)
Craig Finn – Sweetheart Like You
Ivan & Alyosha – You Changed My Life
Deer Tick – Night After Night
Dawn Landes & Bonnie “Prince” Billie – Dark Eyes
Tea Leaf Green – Waiting To Get Beat
Aaron Freeman & Slash – Wiggle Wiggle
Elvis Perkins – Congratulations
Hannah Cohen – Covenant Woman
Marco Benevento – Every Grain of Sand
Yellowbirds – Series of Dreams
Blitzen Trapper – Unbelievable
Lucius – When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky
Glen Hansard – Pressing On
Carl Broemel – Death Is Not The End