<p>I’m a sucker for tribute compilation albums. Great way to discover new artists. This one is particularly interesting. 70 covers (4 CDs worth) of Bob Dylan songs. I just bought the MP3 version and am diving into it. I’m such a geezer that I’ve got to go to Google to even find out who most of these people are. Turns out that several of these artists have been playing these songs live.</p>
<p>For starters, here’s one that will make your head spin:</p>
<p>The one that kind of surprised me from that CD was Ke$ha. Based on her other music, I really would not have expected her Dylan cover to be any good at all, but she kind of made it work: [Don’t</a> Think Twice, It’s All Right - Ke$ha ( Bob Dylan Tribute) - YouTube<a href=“I%20think%20part%20of%20the%20reason%20it%20works%20is%20that%20Bob%20Dylan’s%20voice%20itself%20is%20really%20not%20technically%20perfect”>/url</a>. It wasn’t my favorite on there or anything, but my expectation set the bar really low.</p>
<p>Yeah, the Ke$ha song is terrific. Just goes to show that there’s probably more talent in some of these kids than is evident by the time the record producers get done auto-tuning them into top-40 dreck.</p>
<p>^agree on Jeff Beck and Seal, and I’m pleased that my nieces and nephews are all excited about this new cover album. Some are giving it to their parents for the holidays, this I know.</p>
<p>I dunno. Joan Baez signing Dylan is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. </p>
<p>The worst is when she was actually [singing</a> WITH Dylan](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube), back in the early folky days. It’s like putting powdered sugar, cherries, and whip cream on a spicy enchilada!</p>
<p>Although it’s not on this album, my favorite Love Sick cover is the White Stripes. Jack White (definitely an acquired taste!) really nails the song:</p>
<p>Thank you, interesteddad. My son is a big Dylan fan and it is one way we communicate, through Dylan quotes. Right before Hurricane Sandy hit, he texted, “you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” This will be a great gift for him!</p>
<p>I think my favorite Hendrix cover of a Dylan tune is the Like a Rolling Stone he did at his first US concert in '67, just a couple years after the song hit the radio.</p>
<p>[Hendrix:</a> Like a Rolling Stone](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>I made it through a lot more of 70 songs last night. Wow, there is some interesting stuff here. How ironic is this one, given her trademark run-ins with the Catholic church? I love this song and think Dylan’s “born-again” albums are under-appreciated.</p>
<p>This one knocks my socks off. It’s a group from Auckland, New Zealand. This has a Cowboy Junkies kind of atmospheric feel. Love it. And, one of my favorite Dylan songs:</p>
<p>A California-based brother/sister duet from a musical family (grandfather is composer John Williams). The girl went to Oberlin. Simon and Garfunkel style harmonies. Terrific!</p>
<p>This darn Dylan album is costing me a fortune in downloads of new bands to check out. Here’s a smokin’ track from the Belle Brigade’s album:</p>
<p>Well, I’ve made it through all 70 songs, with the exception of less than a half dozen that were so bad (or so not my taste) that I couldn’t listen to the full track. 54 of them made the cut to go to a playlist for additional listens, although I suspect some may fall off that list after a listen or two.</p>
<p>It’s really hard to comprehend the breadth of the styles here. I mean, I had no idea there even was an African American bluegrass band, let alone that they would record a Dylan song. :)</p>
<p>The unifying theme here is that, with very, very few exceptions, these are probably the best songs each of these bands will ever record.</p>