(Collab) DaDemonSings Bob Dylan's Jokerman

[dasilvasings]

First of all, thanks Eugene (Speed Demon) for the terrific guitar solo you did! And sorry for letting the song idle on my side for so long!

Anyway,


Here's another contribution for DylanFest, with perhaps the first song of BD I heard in my life. I was a kid, and I was watching the video clip without understanding a word, but I was sure it had to be something important because of all the strong images passing behind. Almost 30 years later, I still don't understand what Dylan says, much less what he means  

"punkish" cover, guitar + bass + 2x voices (1 distorted on the right channel) and mbr drums are the base.

It happens that the song is really long, and I broke it to leave space for Speed Demon's solo. Later I added new instruments to try to make it more interesting: a very timid hammond, and a overdriven wurlitzer passing through a leslie speaker (wow! You should see my face now! sounds much cooler than saying piano patch + behringer rotary pedal). There is also a monotron in the end and a baby talking somewhere in the middle ( i recorded the vocals while holding little DaSilvaSingette on my lap).

I still think the song is really long, and it may get boring, so here's the lyrics for those brave enough to hear it to the end ;-)

Standing on the water, casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with truth so far off, what good will it do.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

So swiftly the sun sets in the sky
You rise up and say goodbye to no one
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one
Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

You're a man of the mountain, you can walk on the clouds
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care ? Ain't nobody there would want marry your sister
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed
Michelangeo indeed could've carved out your features
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks
Molotow cocktails and rocks behind every curtain
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin
Only a matter of time 'til the night comes stepping in.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

So.... nevermind the bollocks, here's DaDemonSings!

[Gritter]

Great Dylan tune...one of my favourites and you guys have done it up very nicely. Love the energy!

[Redler]

Cool cover, DSS...or is it DDS . Yes, a lots of energy and I like the punkpop vibe on this! I'm not bored at all, don't worry... I'm on my second listening, now! Speed demon's solo is stellar guitar work! Nice post!

Kari

[cuthbert]

Don't know much Dylan, but I enjoyed this one - well done, DSS and SD!

[Geir]

I remember reading once that Zappa was supposed to produce this album for Dylan, and have always wondered what it would have sounded like if he did. This sounds more like if Lemmy had produced it and I LOVE IT !!!!!!

Some stellar bassguitar work here and .... well everything work here lads !!

Great collab !!

[dasilvasings]

Thanks for the comments guys!

Dylan produced by Lemmy! Like the idea  !

Another trivia: the guitar solo in the original was done by mark knofler.

[chip withrow]

Very cool - Dylan often reinvents his songs every few years, and I think he would appreciate this punk/glam treatment. I know I dug it, and it gave me a chance to revisit a song I hadn't heard in years.