Highway 51 Blues

Last updated

"Highway 51 Blues"
Song by Curtis Jones
ReleasedJanuary 25, 1938 (1938-01-25)
Songwriter(s) Curtis Jones

"Highway 51 Blues" was the title of a song composed by American blues pianist Curtis Jones, released on a 78 record on January 12, 1938, which was popular enough to spawn several covers and offshoots, including "New Highway 51," recorded in 1940 by the Mississippi guitarist and singer Tommy McClennan. Bob Dylan's track "Highway 51", released as the closing track of the first side of his debut album Bob Dylan on March 19, 1962, was based on McLennan's recording.

Contents

Curtis Jones version

"Highway 51 Blues" is a song composed by American blues pianist Curtis Jones (1906–1971), whose song "Lonesome Bedroom Blues", released in 1937, had been popular. On January 25, 1938, "Highway 51 Blues", from his fourth recording session, was released on a 78 record. [1] From 1941 to 1953, he did not record any further songs, [1] and after a further seven years, in 1960 he recorded the album Trouble Blues . [1] [2] This was followed by Lonesome Bedroom Blues in 1962, released by Delmark Records, containing a new version of "Highway 51 Blues". [1] [3]

Authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon wrote that Highway 51, which extends from the suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana, to Hurley, Wisconsin, "has a special place in the history of American Music" due to being the route used by many African-Americans moving to the north." [4]

Bob Dylan version ("Highway 51")

"Highway 51"
Song by Bob Dylan
from the album Bob Dylan
ReleasedMarch 19, 1962 (1962-03-19)
RecordedNovember 22, 1961
Studio Columbia 7th Ave, New York City
Length2:49 [5]
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Curtis Jones, Tommy McClennan
Producer(s) John H. Hammond

Background and recording

American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan probably learned McClennan's version of "Highway 51" after hearing it either on a 78 record or from a reel to reel tape recording. [1] "Highway 51" was recorded by Dylan at the second session for his debut album Bob Dylan . He recorded the song on one take at Columbia Studio A, 799 Seventh Avenue, New York City, on November 22, 1961. [6] [7] Dylan sings, and plays guitar and harmonica on the song. The album was produced by John H. Hammond, and engineered by George Knuerr and Pete Dauria. [4]

Though McClennan was his source, on the label of the long-playing record issued in 1962, the song is credited to "C. Jones" (Curtis Jones). (It was common for credits to be assigned on the basis of a title, without checking the actual recording, and if Dylan learned the song from a tape, it is very possible that he did not know the name of its original performer.) [6] Dylan used lyrics and vocal phrasing from McClennan's recording and a repeating guitar figure from "Wake Up Little Susie" by The Everly Brothers (1957). [6] [8] Dylan's official website has credited the song to "C. White". [6] [8] Dylan sings, and plays guitar and harmonica on the song. The album was produced by John H. Hammond, and engineered by George Knuerr and Pete Dauria. [4] Bob Dylan was released by Columbia on March 19, 1962, with "Highway 51" as the closing track on side one. [9] According to music scholar Steven Rings, by including chord progressions not found in either the Jones or McClennan versions, Dylan created "an articulation between the pop and rockabilly world of the Everlys and the rural blues of the song’s textual sources", which continued into Dylan's "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)". [10]

The narrator of the song says he will not travel on Highway 51 as, he says, it "runs right by my baby's door". He also says that if he should die early, he wants to be buried on the highway. [11] [12]

Dylan biographer Robert Shelton suggested that, despite the lack of electric instruments, the song can be regarded as "the first folk-rock recording". [13] Paul Williams felt that "Highway 51" was one of several songs on the album to "give hints of Dylan's rock and roll sensibilities". [14] The album's liner notes by "Stacey Williams" (a pseudonym for Shelton [15] ), say: "A diesel-tempoed "Highway 51" is of a type sung by the Everly Brothers, partially rewritten by Dylan. His guitar is tuned to an open tuning and features a particularly compelling vamping figure.". [16]

Dylan gave a performance at Eve and Mac Mackenzie's home in New York in December 1961. He has performed the song in public at concerts only twice: at Carnegie Hall on September 22, 1962, and at New York Town Hall on April 12, 1963. [6]

Reception

According to Michael Gray in The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia , Bob Dylan was an album "few people liked and that didn't sell", and led to Columbia seeking to drop Dylan. However, Gray gives a positive assessment, arguing that the "speed, energy and attack" of Dylan's vocal and instrumental performances "show how fresh and excellently 'unprofessional he was". [17]

Neil Spencer gave the song a rating of 3/5 stars in an Uncut magazine Dylan supplement in 2015, writing that all the songs on Bob Dylan "were treated to a lot of yelping, stuttering harmonica and none too special guitar playing". [18] Author John Nogowski rated the song as "C+". [15] Shelton wrote about the song in his biography, No Direction Home, The Life and Music of Bob Dylan:

The simple guitar work supplies the equivalent of a full rhythm section, with interweaving stresses that suggest jazz drumming. Dylan is foreshadowing some of the exciting guitar work of Richie Havens, who used the flat-picking brushstroke so inventively ... Against [his] chugging guitar, Dylan delivers a vocally strong blues-rockabilly song. The pulse, tempo, and motion build up into several strong climaxes within two minutes, forty-nine seconds. Death is in the lyrics, but over-abundant life is in the voice and guitar. [5]

Related Research Articles

"4th Time Around" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released as the 12th track on his seventh studio album Blonde on Blonde on June 20, 1966. The song was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. Commentators often interpret it as a parody of the Beatles' 1965 song "Norwegian Wood ". John Lennon composed "Norwegian Wood" after being influenced by the introspective lyrics of Dylan. Lennon later reflected on his feelings of paranoia when Dylan first played him "4th Time Around".

"Absolutely Sweet Marie" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released on the third side of the double album and Dylan's seventh studio album, Blonde on Blonde (1966). The song was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. It was recorded at around 1:00 am on March 8, 1966, at Columbia Studio A, Nashville. Some commentators have interpreted the song as being about sexual frustration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest</span> 1967 song by Bob Dylan

"The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It was released as the fifth track on his eighth studio album John Wesley Harding (1967). The track was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. It was recorded in one take on October 17, 1967, at Columbia Studio A in Nashville. The song's lyrics refer to two friends, Frankie Lee and Judas Priest. Lee asks Priest for a loan of money and Priest offers it freely. Lee spends it in a brothel over 16 days, then dies of thirst in Priest's arms. It has been suggested by commentators that the song refers to Dylan's relationship with his manager Albert Grossman or to his contractual negotiations with his record company. The song received a mixed critical reception. Dylan performed the song live in concert 20 times, from 1987 to 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat</span> 1967 song by Bob Dylan

"Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released on the second side of his seventh studio album Blonde on Blonde (1966). The song was written by Dylan, and produced by Bob Johnston. Dylan has denied that the song references any specific individual, although critics have speculated that it refers to Edie Sedgwick, who Dylan had spent time with in December 1965.

"Tombstone Blues" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released as the second track on his sixth studio album Highway 61 Revisited (1965). The song was written by Dylan, and produced by Bob Johnston. Critical interpretations of the song have suggested that the song references the Vietnam War and US President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again</span> 1966 song by Bob Dylan

"Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan from his seventh studio album, Blonde on Blonde (1966). The song was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. It has nine verses, each featuring a distinct set of characters and circumstances. All 20 takes of "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" were recorded in the early hours of February 17, 1966, at Columbia Records's A Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, with the last take selected for the album. This version also appears on Dylan's second compilation album, Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II (1971).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want You (Bob Dylan song)</span> 1966 song by Bob Dylan

"I Want You" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released as a single in June 1966, and, later that month, on his seventh studio album, Blonde on Blonde. The song was written by Dylan, and produced by Bob Johnston. The song has been interpreted as a straightforward expression of lust, although critics have highlighted that the symbolism of the song is complex. It was the last song recorded for Blonde on Blonde, with several takes recorded in the early hours of March 10, 1966. It was included on Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits (1967). The song has received a largely positive critical reception, with a number of commentators highlighting Dylan's use of imagery, although some of the meanings are obscure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pledging My Time</span> 1966 single by Bob Dylan

"Pledging My Time" is a blues song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan from his seventh studio album, Blonde on Blonde (1966). The song, written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston, was recorded on March 8, 1966 in Nashville, Tennessee. Dylan is featured on lead vocals, harmonica, and guitar, backed by guitarist Robbie Robertson and an ensemble of veteran Nashville session men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)</span> 1966 single by Bob Dylan

"One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released as a single on February 14, 1966, and as the fourth track on his seventh studio album Blonde on Blonde in June of that year. The song was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. It is the narrator's account of a burned-out relationship. It was recorded at Columbia studio A in New York on January 25, 1966, with Dylan and other musicians developing the song through over twenty takes during the session.

"To Ramona" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, first released on his fourth studio album, Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964). The song was written by Dylan, and produced by Tom Wilson. The lyrics were started at the May Fair Hotel in London in May 1964, and finished during a week-long stay in the Greek village of Vernilya later that month. Dylan recorded all the tracks for the album, including the song, in a single three-hour session on June 9, 1964, at Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, New York. Its narrator advises Ramona, who is preparing to return to "the South", not to follow the advice of others. Critics have suggested several different people as inspirations for the song, including Joan Baez, Suze Rotolo, and Sara Lownds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine</span> 1966 song by Bob Dylan

"Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine", or "Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine)", is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It was released as the first track on side three of his seventh studio album Blonde on Blonde (1966). The song was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. Dylan recounted that he had probably written the song after the end of a relationship. The song's narrator criticizes the lies and weakness of a woman, and says that he finds it hard to care. The final verse establishes that the woman has been unfaithful to the narrator by having a relationship with another man, as he suspected all along.

"John Brown" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The song, written in October 1962 was released under his pseudonym "Blind Boy Grunt" on the Folkways Records compilation album Broadside Ballads, Vol. 1 (1963). Live performances have been officially released on MTV Unplugged (1995), Live at The Gaslight 1962 (2005), and Live 1962–1966 – Rare Performances From The Copyright Collections (2018). A demo version was issued on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9 – The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964 (2010).

"Where Are You Tonight? " is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released as the closing track on his 18th studio album Street-Legal (1978). The song was written by Dylan, and produced by Don DeVito. Dylan has said that the song is about the individual's "enemy within." Critical interpretations of the song have suggested that it references Dylan's divorce as well as foreshadowing or announcing his conversion to Christianity, which became evident in the religiously-focused projects that followed the album. Commentators have also opined that there are allusions in the lyrics to the work of Robert Johnson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obviously 5 Believers</span> 1966 song by Bob Dylan

"Obviously 5 Believers" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released as the last track of side three of his double album Blonde on Blonde (1966), and was the B-side to the single release of "Just Like a Woman" for releases in America and some other countries. The song was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. It was recorded at Columbia Music Row Studios, in the early morning hours of a March 9–10, 1966 session. Four takes were recorded, although the first two were incomplete. It has been interpreted as a blues song about loneliness, with critics noting similarities in melody and structure to Memphis Minnie's "Chauffeur Blues". Dylan's vocals and the musicianship of the band on the track have both received critical acclaim, although the track has been regarded as insubstantial by some commentators.

"Temporary Like Achilles" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan that was released on side three of his double album, Blonde on Blonde (1966). The song was written by Dylan, and produced by Bob Johnston. It was recorded at Columbia Studio A, Nashville, Tennessee on March 9, 1966. The song is a blues number that incorporates elements of Dylan's incomplete "Medicine Sunday", which he had recorded with members of the Band in New York in October 1965. The song describes a narrator's frustration at being kept waiting by a woman that he wishes to be romantically involved with, who is guarded by "Achilles". Some critics have suggested that the song references the Iliad.

"Down the Highway" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It was recorded on July 9, 1962 at Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, New York, produced by John Hammond. The song was released on The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan on May 27, 1963. It is a twelve-bar blues love song, which Dylan told his girlfriend Suze Rotolo he had written about her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)</span> Song by Bob Dylan

"One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released as the fourth track on his seventeenth studio album Desire (1976). The song was written by Dylan, and produced by Don DeVito. The album version of "One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)" was recorded on July 30, 1975, and released on Desire in January 1976. Dylan said the song was influenced by his visit to a Romani celebration at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in France on his 34th birthday.

"You're No Good" is a song by Jesse Fuller that appeared as the opening track on Bob Dylan's eponymous debut album (1962). Eight takes were recorded by Dylan on November 20, 1961. He learnt the song directly from Fuller in Denver; Fuller's own recorded version was not released until May 13, 1963, on his album San Francisco Bay Blues. The song concerns the narrator's difficult relationship with a woman, and concludes with the narrator wanting to "lay down and die". Dylan's version is more uptempo than Fuller's, and has some changes to the lyrics; it has been positively reviewed by critics.

"I Shall Be Free No. 10" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, which was released as the fifth track on his fourth studio album Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964). The song was written by Dylan and produced by Tom Wilson. The song is a humorous talking blues, indebted to earlier songs including Lead Belly's "We Shall Be Free". Dylan opens the song by proclaiming that he is normal and average, but then acknowledges his reputation by singing the self-aware doggerel "Yippee! I'm a poet, and I know it/ Hope I don't blow it".

"Suze (The Cough Song)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, recorded in 1963 during the sessions for his third studio album, The Times They Are a-Changin' (1964). The song was written and performed by Dylan, and produced by Tom Wilson. It was released on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991 (1991).

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Gray 2008, p. 368.
  2. ↑ Dahl, Bill. Curtis Jones: Trouble Blues – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  3. ↑ Dahl, Bill. Curtis Jones: Lonesome Bedroom Blues – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Margotin & Guesdon 2022, p. 28.
  5. 1 2 Shelton 1987, p. 122.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Barker 2008, p. 139.
  7. ↑ Bjorner, Olof. "Still on the road: 1961 concerts and recording sessions". Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Trager 2004, p. 250-251.
  9. ↑ Gray 2008, p. 254.
  10. ↑ Rings 2013, p. 7.
  11. ↑ Trager 2004, p. 250.
  12. ↑ "Highway 51". Bob Dylan's official website. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ Shelton 1987, p. 118.
  14. ↑ Williams 2004, p. 35.
  15. 1 2 Nogowski 2008, p. 12.
  16. ↑ Dylan 2014, p. 2.
  17. ↑ Gray 2008, p. 69.
  18. ↑ Spencer, Neil (2015). "Bob Dylan". Uncut – Ultimate Music Guide: Bob Dylan. pp. 6–7.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.