Don't Think Twice, It's Alright

[A little more info about the album cover on The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, and the James Dean photo , pictured above]

I had no idea how covered this song was until I actually started looking. I have about 25 to go, and I'm pretty impressed. I did just listen to dozens of other shit-ass, pretentious piano versions of this great song... but you don't want to hear them.

That's what I do for you. I am your musical Jesus. I listened to these songs so you wouldn't have to.

Take a listen to this Dylan classic. Twice, and then one more time from The Gaslight in NYC ('62).

And then these really nice tributes to Bob:

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (best arrangement... hands down)
The Small Stars (esp. lead guitar)
Johnny Cash
The Derek Trucks Band (w Susan Tedeschi)
Elvis Presley
Odetta
Ivy League ('65, folksie)
Duane Eddy ('65, country-folk instrumental)

A lot of people make it sort of a love song - slow and easygoing. But it isn't a love song. It's a statement that maybe you can say something to make yourself feel better. It's as if you were talking to yourself. - bob dylan

Hava Nagillah, Y'all

Bob Dylan's version, titled Talkin' Hava Negillah Blues, could very well be the most creative version of this song since it was written in 1918.

Dick Dale does a typical surf version which is also excellent.

There's also a great version played on a Hammond by Trio Hans Jansen, of which I can find no information, except that they might be Dutch.

Harry Belafonte's version is a classic, unlike the early 60's Swedish band, The Spotnicks, who pose and play on stage in space suits while covering American country songs (they sound really good).

Oh, man... I almost forgot the one with Elvis. This must be the fat, pill-poppin', dying on the shitter Elvis, and his equally drunk and high band.

I'll let you decide which one is the... best?

PLAY: Talkin' Hava Nagilah Blues - Bob Dylan
PLAY: Hava Nagilah - Dick Dale and His Deltones
PLAY: Hava Nagilah - Trio Hans Jansen
PLAY: Hava Nagilah - Harry Belafonte
PLAY: Hava Nagilah - The Spotnicks
PLAY: Hava Nagilah - (Fat) Elvis Presley
PLAY: Hava Nagilah - Ben Folds (live)

This Land is Your Land

Woody Guthrie wrote the original words to this one in 1940 - but not the music (which was added later and recorded in 1944). That melody was lifted from the Carter Family's recording of When the World's on Fire, which had been recorded as Rock of Ages by Blind Willie Davis, a black singer-guitarist from Mississippi.

Dylan's version was very true to Guthrie's original, and no one even knew it existed until it was found while making No Direction Home. It was recorded at the Carnegie Chapter Hall in New York City in 1961.

But the funkiest, horn-iest version of this song has got to be the one by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. She turns this song sideways, inside out, upside down, and then just kills it. I've never heard a more soulful, truthful version of this 3rd grade classic.

(This Land was also George H.W. Bush's song in both campaigns)

Know another? Let us know.

Play: This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
Play: This Land is Your Land - Bob Dylan
Play: This Land is Your Land - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings