Paying Tribute to 'Mr. Tambourine Man'

It Happened Last Night

Paying Tribute to 'Mr. Tambourine Man'

NEW YORK: In honor of new film I'm Not There, esteemed musicians from Lee Ranaldo to the Roots cover Dylan tunes.

By William Goodman 11.08.07 4:00 AM

Lee Ranaldo / Photo by Eric Nowels

From the troubadour's poet outlaw era in the '60s, to his religious southern Baptist transformation, it seems Bob Dylan's only constant is change. And last night, to honor Todd Haynes' forthcoming film and accompanying soundtrack, I'm Not There, an equally eclectic collection of musicians from My Morning Jacket, to Yo La Tengo, to X's John Doe, all turned out to New York City's ornate Beacon Theatre to perform the legend's songs, many of which have become an integral part of American, if not world culture. Introducing the first performer and film actor Marcus Carl Franklin, who sang "When the Ship Comes In," I'm Not There director Todd Haynes was evidently nervous, his voice cracking as he dished praise unto the evening's absent man of honor, Dylan. But as the tunes rolled on, the tension eased as the show took on a friendly, and truth be told, slightly unorganized worship of sorts.

Soon, the heavy hitters -- many which contribute to the soundtrack -- arrived and the crowd's collective chatter blossomed as hoots and hollers rained down on performances from Calexico, which provided a lyric-less score from the film, and supported a blue sweatshirt clad Jim James as he navigated his thin, yet oxen strong voice through "Goin' to Acapulco," nailing the sustained screams in one the show's clear highlights. Later, ex-Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan lent his deep, rolling tones to "Man in the Black Coat." Supported by Calexico, Lanegan, aptly clad in all black, was also met with wild applause.

And big names kept coming; I'm Not Here actor Heath Ledger emerged intermittently, addressing the crowd between gooey slaps of his gum-chewing mouth, Gomez's Ian Ball offered a leisurely rendition of "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," Yo La Tengo strolled through "I Wanna Be Your Lover," My Morning Jacket turned up the volume on "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You," and Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo and his Million Dollars Bashers, a group comprising SY drummer Steve Shelley and Dinosaur Jr. axeman J. Mascis, acted as a house backing band. John Doe took the mic on "Pressin' On" and Mascis even sang the rollicking "Santa Fe." But as with Dylan's catalogue, the night rolled on, and on, and on, as highlights were separated by many lackluster performances -- face it, it's nearly impossible to really improve upon Dylan's originals.

Speaking with Ranaldo, who had a major part in constructing the film's soundtrack, the guitarist confirmed the concert was a "very last minute thing" incited by Dylan's management. And the evening's loose structure was telling. But the overall feeling was one of creativity and celebration, most evident in the Roots' performance. The band, arriving as three piece -- drums, guitar, and tuba -- tackled "Masters of War," initially strumming the politically-charged tune to the melody of the "Star-Spangled Banner," but soon diving into a fluxing smorgasbord of time signatures, channeling both psychedelia and punk tempos. Their interpretation, albeit sonically murky at points, illustrated the far reaches of Dylan's music and musicians' willingness to celebrate it.

"[Dylan] changed the way people look at writing in music," X's John Doe told SPIN.com prior to the show. Ranaldo, further commenting on Dylan's lasting impression, said: "He has been a significant factor in our culture...producing cutting edge work for 40 or 50 years now... He's our Shakespeare." Indeed: As both performers and fans know, Dylan can be imitated, but never matched.

We asked: As celebrated here tonight, Bob Dylan's tunes have been covered by an array of artists. If you could pick one musician to cover any Dylan song, whom would you choose and which song from the Dylan's robust catalogue would they play?

Name: Alexander Amoibe
Age: 32
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Screen Writer
"Myself. I would play 'When the Night Come Falling From the Sky.'"

Name: Roger Kirby
Age: 32
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Occupation: Photographer
"Feist would sing 'All Along the Watchtower.'"

Name: Zoe Kiama
Age: 33
Hometown: Boston, MA
Occupation: Student
"Cocteau Twins and 'Mr. Tambourine Man.'"

Name: Valerie Strait
Age: 40
Hometown: Muskegon, MI
Occupation: Gardener
"Jim James, god, any song."

Name: Geri Walker
Age: 42
Hometown: Nantucket, MA
Occupation: TV Producer
"Tom Waits would cover 'Hard Rain.'"

Name: Matt Amato
Age: 28
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Occupation: Filmmaker
"Jessica Lang, 'Tangled Up In Blue.' I know it's her favorite song, but I'd watch her do anything really."

Name: Madeline Va Haaften
Age: 26
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Art Gallery
"All of Sonic Youth playing 'Desolation Row.'"

Name: Chris Maher
Age: 26
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Musician
"Robert Johnson covering "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again.'"