Various Artists
Nobody Sings Dylan Like Dylan, Vol. 16: Yonder Stand Your Orphans

[NOTE: Second try on this one–the Hendrix cut was released on video, and has been banned. Sorry folks.]

When I began this project, my unstated goal was to compile an eight volume collection of Dylan covers. Having now doubled that target, I’ve got some special treats in store this time, including a batch of studio and demo recordings which give this volume a different feel.

We kick things off with a Waterboys demo of “Nobody ‘Cept You,” performed with just piano accompaniment by Mike Scott; this is a very different take on this “Planet Waves” outtake than the version issued on the so-called collector’s edition of “Fisherman’s Blues,” with a gospel feel that gives new meaning to the lyrics. Next up is George Harrison’s rendition of “Abandoned Love,” featuring some nice country-style picking. Later in the set, David Bowie adds some weird studio vocal effects to “Tryin’ to Get to Heaven.” The Walkabouts take on “Wedding Song” is lovely. Listen for Lou Reed’s comments to Nico at the end of this rough run-through of “I’ll Keep it with Mine.” And finally, the last track is a rare demo of the Bruce Springsteen Band covering “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” recorded at the Challenger Eastern Surfboard Factory (!) in Highlands, New Jersey early in 1972. (The Bruce Springsteen Band followed Steel Mill and Dr. Zoom & the Sonic Boom in Springsteen’s career, but preceded his signing with Columbia Records.)

Of the live cuts here, the Staples Singers’ version of “Hard Rain” is a powerful standout, as is Southside Johnny’s chilling rendition of “Blind Willie McTell.” There’s some other pretty good stuff too…

As usual, thanks to the tapers, the original uploaders, the folks who’ve sent me recordings, the fine artists who’ve created cover artwork, and especially the performers and composer. Due to the many different sources, I am not including lineages. I have done nothing to the original files but normalize the levels and fade in and out on each track (using Cool Edit). Please keep the suggestions and files coming–if you’ve got something good, please PM me.

And, oh yeah, enjoy!

01 Nobody ‘Cept You – The Waterboys (Piano demo, 1986)
02 Abandoned Love – George Harrison (Demo, 1984)
03 Lay Down Your Weary Tune – Tim O’Brien (Jul 7, 1999, The Station Inn, Nashville, TN)
04 Tangled Up in Blue – Jerry Garcia Band (Nov 26, 1988, Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA)
05 Subterranean Homesick Blues – Dave Van Ronk (Apr 9, 1995, Bottom Line, New York, NY)
06 You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere – Jayhawks (Apr 29, 1995, Slim’s, San Francisco, CA)
07 My Back Pages – Roger McGuinn (Apr 26, 1985, Mohawk Valley, Utica, NY)
08 Hard Rain – Staples Singers (Apr 19, 1968, Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA)
09 Oh Sister/Knockin’on Heaven’s Door – Cat Power (Jul 20, 2000, Maida Vale Studio, London, England)
10 Blind Willie McTell – Southside Johnny (Feb 27, 1994, WXRK Studios, New York, NY)
**BANNED All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix (Jul 4, 1970, Middle Georgia Raceway, Atlanta, GA)
12 Tryin to Get to Heaven – David Bowie (Studio outtake, 1997)
13 Wedding Song – Walkabouts (Unreleased demo, 2001)
14 Don’t Think Twice – Nick Drake (1967-1968, Tamworth-in-Arden, England)
15 I’ll Keep it With Mine – Lou Reed and Nico (Bedroom tape, 1970)
16 It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – Bruce Springsteen Band (Jan or Feb 1972, Challenger Eastern Surfboard Factory, Highlands, NJ)