“All Along the Watchtower” (2011 – original from 1967 / 1968)

This solo rendition (well, with the help of a drummer) of Bob Dylan’s cryptic and ominous tune is arguably the finest version since “All Along the Watchtower” was first covered by Jimi Hendrix, way back in 1968.

Copy Right!

No cover of this song will ever match that by Hendrix. Even Dylan was reported to have said that, after he heard Hendrix’s version, the song was no longer a Dylan song, but had become a Hendrix song. Most listeners agree.

That said, Vedder clearly did justice to the song. And he did so with only a guitar and a drum set – and his dynamic vocals.

This vid was recorded during Vedder's 2008 solo tour, during which he played his solo work, Pearl Jam songs, and various covers of other musicians’ work.

(note – The music starts at 2:30, after Vedder’s intro.) _{(Image source)}

Eddie Vedder

Eddie Vedder is a US musician. He is most famous for his work as lead vocalist and guitarist with the grunge / alternative rock band Pearl Jam.

Over the years, Vedder has contributed music for soundtracks to numerous films, including soundtracks and a biopic of Dylan.

Vedder has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of the band Pearl Jam. On “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of “Best Lead Singers of All Time,” Vedder is ranked at Number 7. _{(Image source)}

"There must be some kind of way out of here"
Said the joker to the thief
"There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief

Businessmen, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None will level on the line
Nobody of it is worth
Hey!"

"No reason to get excited"
The thief, he kindly spoke
"There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke

But you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now
The hour's getting late
Hey!"

All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants too
Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl, hey
All along the watchtower
[2x] _{(Image source)} _{Bob Dylan – “All Along the Watchtower”
          _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}
        Jimi Hendrix – “All Along the Watchtower”
          _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}

Lyrics by Bob Dylan, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com

Reference – Wikipedia

Reference – Wikipedia

Into your ears … through 5 channels

The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}

         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)

         2 – “Cover Versions”

         3 – “Honor Roll”

         4 – “Documentaries”

         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears” ...

          Previous posts in this series – "Cover Versions 1–20"

Links to my other series ...}

Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"