Dylan Country [Digipak]

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Shawn Amos (Compilation)
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Audio Remasterer: Keith Blake. Liner Note Author: Eddie Gorodetsky. Recording information: 1965-2001. Photographer: Marlene Rosenberg. Man, this was a long time coming -- and they actually got it pretty much right. Dylan Country is a collection of 16 songs by the scruffy one, recorded by a legion of country and affiliated artists over 35 years. And there are some doozies here. Bob himself makes an appearance on the opener with Earl Scruggs, performing "Nashville Skyline Rag" from back in 1971. But there are so many wonderful surprises here, like the Country Gentlemen's reworking of "Girl from the North Country," recorded in 1966, or Kitty Wells' read of "Forever Young" from 1974 and Jerry Jeff Walker's classic rendition of "One Too Many Mornings," which sounds as if he's just barely lived through them. There's a ton of well-known stuff, too, like Waylon's brilliant shuffle version of "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" in 1969, Nanci Griffith's reverential "Boots of Spanish Leather," Glen Campbell's poetic "If Not for You," the Byrds' amazing "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere," Hank Williams, Jr.'s honky tonk styling on "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight," and Emmylou Harris' chilling "When I Paint My Masterpiece," recorded in 1996. And then there's the surreal: Buck Owens' storied reinterpretation of "Love Minus Zero/No Limit," issued in 1971, Johnny Cash's hillbilly mariachi version of "It Ain't Me Babe" from 1965, where he tries to emulate Dylan's singing style, and Jennifer Warnes' haunting and beautiful Fellini-esque remake of "Sign In the Window," taped in 1979. Willie Nelson, Tim O'Brien, and the duo of Norman Blake and Peter Ostroushko make individual appearances in the current decade, and all of the performances are stellar. This is one of those extremely rare items: a themed tribute record that actually works. While it helps that the producers had a lot to choose from -- because what's not here is conspicuous by omission and they could have easily done a box set -- the taste and restraint shown here are truly admirable. This one is special. ~ Thom Jurek If the idea of a country tribute album to Bob Dylan fills you with a sense of foreboding, don't fear. This isn't a disc of hat acts trying on the master songwriter's boots, it's strictly an old-school affair full of vintage recordings by country and bluegrass vets. DYLAN COUNTRY kicks off in a decidedly bluegrass vein, with Earl Scruggs (the instrumental "Nashville Skyline Rag") and the Country Gentlemen (the folky "Girl from the North Country"). Two genuine country outlaws (Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings) tackle a couple of Dylan's earliest love songs ("Don't Think Twice" and "It Ain't Me Babe," respectively)." The most unexpected moment is Bakersfield legend Buck Owens giving a rather un-country reading of Dylan's intense, poetic "Love Minus Zero/No Limit." The most unfamiliar song to most Dylanites will probably be "Heartland," a duet between Willie Nelson and the man himself, co-written by the pair for Willie's '93 album ACROSS THE BORDERLINE. As if all this weren't enough to bolster Dylan's country credibility, DYLAN COUNTRY closes with honky-tonk goddess Kitty Wells adding a Nashville lilt to "Forever Young."

Rolling Stone (p.177) - 4 stars out of 5 - "DYLAN COUNTRY encompasses both superstars and relative unknowns in a dud-free package of Bob Dylan tunes given the country treatment."

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