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A Nod To Bob: An Artists' Tribute To Bob Dylan OnHis Sixtieth Birthday
Various Artists
Red House Records, 2001
REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 05/30/2001
Possibly no living musician in the world is as revered among hispeers as Bob Dylan. Just look at who turned out for the concertthat celebrated Dylan's 30th anniversary in the business.
With his 60th birthday just past, it seems only fitting that themusicians who have followed in Dylan's path revisit his music togive it the treatment it's deserved. A Nod To Bob: An Artists' Tribute To Bob Dylan On His SixtiethBirthday is, with the exception of his Academy Award win, thebest present that Dylan could get. (On a sacreligious note, am Ithe only one who thought that Dylan looked a bit like SnidelyWhiplash with that pencil-thin moustache at the Oscartelecast?)
The 14 artists who cover these songs - some well known, othershidden gems for the long-time Dylan fans to re-discover - take thebasic tracks, lovingly shape them into their own creations and sendthem back to their author, never losing the heart of what made themspecial in the first place. And, with only one exception, they allhit the mark.
That one exception is John Gorka's cover of "Girl Of The NorthCountry," which just feels like Gorka deviated a little too faraway from the soul of the original. That said, Gorka chose a toughsong to cover, since I don't think anything will top the versionDylan performed with Johnny Cash on Nashville Skyline. And while I can't say I'm any fan of TheRoches, Suzzy & Maggie Roche's cover of "Clothes Line Saga"will please their fans.
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