Feature Song: “All Along The Watchtower”
There are, of course, many songs from this era that can be considered “rock anthems,” or whatever other label you care to attach to a song, that after hearing the first two notes, you know immediately what you are listening to. Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” (John Wesley Harding, 1967) is certainly one of those songs. Many people associate the song with its most famous cover done a year after by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 1968). Since then, the song has been covered countless times, and you know Hendrix must have done something right, because even Dylan has performed the song several times channeling Hendrix. The best one that I’ve seen is when he was a surprise guest at the 1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opening on Sept. 2., where he and some pretty amazing backup musicians absolutely killed it, in a performance that is just over five minutes long! While this version is certainly recognizable, it is a far cry from the original acoustic and harmonica effort released in 1967, and even a slight departure from Hendrix’s four minute original cover version. And, just to clear things up, that’s a cover of a cover of an original. So glad I could help.
Over the years I have listened to many different versions of this song done by some well-known artists, and some by lesser-known artists. When I was thinking about finally writing about this song, I wanted to showcase what I felt were covers that not only did the song justice, but featured performances that made my mouth hang open at the end. I know, not necessarily a pretty sight, but there you have it. As always, you get to be the judge as to whether my two choices here live up to that disturbing image!
My first pick is from 2020 by singer/songwriter, and pianist Julia Othmer. She is a Kansas City native whose live performances are something to be seen. I could go on and on about her, but I cannot compete with this quote from the “About” page on her website: “Perhaps the best way to explain Julia would be if Norah Jones, Tom Waits, Billie Holiday, and Lyle Lovett had a musical orgy and let you watch behind a curtain of burning lace and a whiskey waterfall. Bring your soul” (Out of Print Magazine). I mean, how do you top that description? I have watched her and her stellar band’s performance many times since first watching it several months ago, and every single time I am left feeling wowed. Although she does not play the piano for this performance, she does add additional lyrics, which she wrote, and mesmerizes the live Los Angeles audience with her physical interpretation of the song. In fact, although I don’t normally comment on YouTube videos, I made an exception this time writing: “Wow! That’s all I got, just WOW!!!!” While the whole band is amazing, Jamie Kime’s guitar accompaniment and solos are simply off the chart.
The second pick is a version of the song is by The Classic Rock Show, a revolving ensemble of very talented musicians and singers from England, dedicated to celebrating the very best of classic rock and roll. They are listed as an eight-member band, but since their inception in 2013, there have been an amazing 22 previous members. Their performance of “All Along the Watchtower” is from a live show at The Sage in Gateshead, England, February 2018. It is very rare for me to be “wowed” twice by a cover of one song, but that is exactly what happened when I stumbled across this cover a few days ago. As with Othmer’s version, the musical talent on the stage is incredible, but the guitarist (Howie G.), who also handles the lead vocals, is simply beyond description. There is “shredding” and then there are his solos in this performance!
Enough talk. First up is Bob Dylan’s acoustic original, followed by his live 1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance, followed by Jimi Hendrix’s official audio track of the song, then the two covers in the order mentioned above. Enjoy.
Bob Dylan “All Along The Watchtower” John Wesley Harding (1967), official audio.
Bob Dylan “All Along The Watchtower” Live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1995.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience “All Along The Watchtower” Electric Ladyland (1968), official audio.
Julia Othmer “All Along The Watchtower” Live in Los Angeles, 2020
The Classic Rock Show “All Along The Watchtower” Live @ The Stage Gateshead, England, Feb. 2018
Los Angeles 2023
Such an iconic song it’s pretty tough to follow either arrangement. One of those songs I can’t get out of my brain enough to let another version in!
I hear you!
This song is one of the all-time greats, esp. the Jim Hendrix version, though they’re all incredible. Julia Othmer’s voice is unbelievab
It certainly is. I agree, she has an amazing voice and stage presence.
I have so many thoughts in response to this post. First off, while I consider Bob Dylan to be one of the greatest songwriters and lyricists in all of music history, I do not enjoy hearing him sing, other than for a few exceptions like “Like a Rolling Stone”, “Lay, Lady, Lay” and “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”. Second, Jimi Hendrix’ version is a masterpiece that still has the power to send chills up and down my spine.
I love both covers you shared, and agree that Julia Othmer is a powerhouse vocalist who does an amazing interpretation of this classic song. As for The Classic Rock Show’s cover performance, I too must say ‘WOW!’ Howie G’s virtuoso shredding on his guitar was truly magnificent, doing great justice to both the spirit of Dylan’s song and to the memory of Hendrix’ spectacular guitar playing. A wonderful post Irwin!
I hear you on that one. I have, over the years, grown accustomed to his voice, but it often reminds me of scraping chalk on a chalkboard, especially when you haven’t hear him for awhile. I agree that Hendrix’s version is, as you put it, a masterpiece, and it garners a similar reaction whenever I listen to it, which is why I was reluctant at first to even do this cover post. I’m glad you liked both covers. Othmer is definitely a force. What amazes me about Howie G is that I’ve seen some of his other performances with this group, and how one guy can channel Hendrix and Mark Knopfler simply amazes me. Thank you for your kind words!