Chimes Of Freedom: TMN's top 10
02 February 2012
In reviewing the over-80 artists who contributed to Amnesty International’s Bob Dylan tribute compilation, TMN may run the risk of boring our readers or at least taking up their full lunch hour. Although Chimes Of Freedom’s variegated 75-strong tracklisting is as worthy as it is surprising we have instead decided to offer our top 10 (in no particular order or preference).
Seal & Jeff Beck – Like A Rolling Stone
This is what happens when you team one vocal heavyweight with one of the finest guitar masters of our time and offer up your first born for it to work. Bringing the 1965 track down a tempo, Seal holds back his vocal adeptness while Beck offers up multiple backing sounds with plucking perfection. The pair have turned a track about the crash and fall of a high society debutante into a feel good song filled with effervescent bursts; vocals and guitar lines dance with each other as if Beck is a second harmonising vocalist.
This is what happens when you team one vocal heavyweight with one of the finest guitar masters of our time and offer up your first born for it to work. Bringing the 1965 track down a tempo, Seal holds back his vocal adeptness while Beck offers up multiple backing sounds with plucking perfection. The pair have turned a track about the crash and fall of a high society debutante into a feel good song filled with effervescent bursts; vocals and guitar lines dance with each other as if Beck is a second harmonising vocalist.
Dave Matthews Band – All Along the Watchtower
The Charlottesville rockers have been perfecting their version of Dylan’s 1967 hit since they performed it at the ’99 Woodstock; perhaps this is why it’s been included as one of the few live covers, as the four-piece prove they haven’t lost any of the earnest collegiate-grunge they represented so well in the ‘90s, and throughout their multiple versions of the song.
The Charlottesville rockers have been perfecting their version of Dylan’s 1967 hit since they performed it at the ’99 Woodstock; perhaps this is why it’s been included as one of the few live covers, as the four-piece prove they haven’t lost any of the earnest collegiate-grunge they represented so well in the ‘90s, and throughout their multiple versions of the song.
Dave Matthews’ slight yodelling and hoarse yells are more lusty than Dylan’s folk-hued tone but that’s precisely what makes the track so intense; direct imitation is considered naff here and the Dave Matthews Band have varnished the track with their trademark bluegrass sound whilst still bowing down to the legend that is Dylan.
K’NAAN – With God On Our Side
The Somalian hip hop artist’s cover may be one of the most brief, but how sweet it is to prove Dylan’s longevity and relevance with this reinvigorated play on his words and integrated funk.
Ke$ha – Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
If there were ever a Bob Dylan cover artist to anger his disciples it would be the insincere 24-year-old who has marked her career with trash-pop ditties. But as she sings the track through tears and strained articulation, Ke$ha’s amicable delivery teaches us to keep our minds open. In an interview, Ke$ha said the song choice was “tragically relevant”; she used her transition from pedestrian to superstar to relate to the track about a lover’s farewell.
If there were ever a Bob Dylan cover artist to anger his disciples it would be the insincere 24-year-old who has marked her career with trash-pop ditties. But as she sings the track through tears and strained articulation, Ke$ha’s amicable delivery teaches us to keep our minds open. In an interview, Ke$ha said the song choice was “tragically relevant”; she used her transition from pedestrian to superstar to relate to the track about a lover’s farewell.
She presents one of the biggest jaw droppers due to the newfound respect 21st century pop haters should now offer the singer, whose usual stimulus stems from drunken nights and boyfriends who won’t go to the ‘bum zone’ with her; a much-needed awakening for both sides of the fence.
Miley Cyrus – You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
Perhaps the second most-welcome surprise comes in the choice to include 19-year-old Disney-star-turned-pop-singer, Miley Cyrus. For anyone who managed to forget her father Billy Ray’s mulleted boot-scooter Achy Breaky Heart, here lays a sweet reminder that not all influences are wasted in ill-opted mimicry. From Hannah Montana to pure, lilting lyricist, the one track that could scare Dylan zealots away may be the one to keep them hooked further.
Perhaps the second most-welcome surprise comes in the choice to include 19-year-old Disney-star-turned-pop-singer, Miley Cyrus. For anyone who managed to forget her father Billy Ray’s mulleted boot-scooter Achy Breaky Heart, here lays a sweet reminder that not all influences are wasted in ill-opted mimicry. From Hannah Montana to pure, lilting lyricist, the one track that could scare Dylan zealots away may be the one to keep them hooked further.
Sinéad O’Connor – Property Of Jesus
Taken from Dylan’s 1981 record Shot Of Love, the Irish singer gets righteous as she brings her effortless tone to a rarely used, almost-shout. This cover is an idoneous fit for O’Connor as she wrote of the honour in her online blog in the section entitled Letters To Bob Dylan.
Taken from Dylan’s 1981 record Shot Of Love, the Irish singer gets righteous as she brings her effortless tone to a rarely used, almost-shout. This cover is an idoneous fit for O’Connor as she wrote of the honour in her online blog in the section entitled Letters To Bob Dylan.
“…You believed in Jesus. And consequently, as a child when I was ordered to lie naked on my back and open my body wide on floors, to be stamped on, your voice would come to my mind ‘God don’t make promises that he don’t keep’.”
Rise Against – Ballad of Hollis Brown
It would have been easy for the post-hardcore band to call upon experience and churn the Ballad of Hollis Brown through the punk cogs to offer up a hard, fast rendition, but the quartet clearly revelled in this challenge. Veering into folk territory and pushing boundaries well outside their comfort zone, this eleven verse ballad without a chorus couldn’t have been more against-type for Rise Against, but by keeping the content and delivery dark and implementing a few nods to Sonic Youth, the Chicago band have recorded the most eruptive track in the collection; one which has not only done the song justice but which will reposition them in the minds of post-hardcore sceptics.
It would have been easy for the post-hardcore band to call upon experience and churn the Ballad of Hollis Brown through the punk cogs to offer up a hard, fast rendition, but the quartet clearly revelled in this challenge. Veering into folk territory and pushing boundaries well outside their comfort zone, this eleven verse ballad without a chorus couldn’t have been more against-type for Rise Against, but by keeping the content and delivery dark and implementing a few nods to Sonic Youth, the Chicago band have recorded the most eruptive track in the collection; one which has not only done the song justice but which will reposition them in the minds of post-hardcore sceptics.
Adele – Make You Feel My Love
Recorded live at WXPN, this version was made famous in 2008 when after a recommendation from manager Jonathan Dickins, Adele included the track in her debut, #19. Her worldwide success since has been based on her impeccable ability to command a room with just her voice and a piano. This stripped back rendition is as touching and believable as the original.
Recorded live at WXPN, this version was made famous in 2008 when after a recommendation from manager Jonathan Dickins, Adele included the track in her debut, #19. Her worldwide success since has been based on her impeccable ability to command a room with just her voice and a piano. This stripped back rendition is as touching and believable as the original.
Mariachi El Bronx – Love Sick
The Bronx’s side project have ditched their hardcore acoustic ethos for an even bigger oxymoronic number. The LA band’s version of Love Sick comes complete with Texan tinges and Mexican horns and strings. One of the more recent tracks from the Dylan catalogue (released in 1997) Mariachi El Bronx still managed to take Love Sick that notch further, stamping their trademark punk instrumentals and traditional Mexican influence throughout the track for a reinvention as honoured as it is relevant.
The Bronx’s side project have ditched their hardcore acoustic ethos for an even bigger oxymoronic number. The LA band’s version of Love Sick comes complete with Texan tinges and Mexican horns and strings. One of the more recent tracks from the Dylan catalogue (released in 1997) Mariachi El Bronx still managed to take Love Sick that notch further, stamping their trademark punk instrumentals and traditional Mexican influence throughout the track for a reinvention as honoured as it is relevant.
The Gaslight Anthem – Changing of the Guards
Most renowned for their blatantly proud similarities to Bruce Springsteen, the New Jersey band take on Changing of the Guards with an invigorated groove. The choice to affix an addition riff could have come across grandeur-seeking but instead provides a bridge from their Spingsteen-Americana to Street Legal-era Dylan.
Most renowned for their blatantly proud similarities to Bruce Springsteen, the New Jersey band take on Changing of the Guards with an invigorated groove. The choice to affix an addition riff could have come across grandeur-seeking but instead provides a bridge from their Spingsteen-Americana to Street Legal-era Dylan.
Dylan waived the publishing rights to his entire catalogue, while all artists, musicians, engineers, producers and others involved in the recording worked for pro bono. In other words, don't pirate this record.
Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honouring 50 Years of Amnesty International is available internationally now.
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