Over the years we have put on this site one or two recordings created by readers who have been performing Dylan songs. Often these have been songs that Dylan himself hasn’t performed, or indeed their own arrangement of a Dylan song.
This is now being formalised a little through the Untold Dylan Showcase series which features amateur performers, and so with these submissions I would ask those listening and looking to keep in mind that there is no connection between an amateur performing on his or her own in a home recording environment, with a piece performed by a professional musician in a professional studio.
I’m doing this because I’ve worked in the creative arts all my life, and I know how hard it is to get any exposure for one’s art. I’m not saying that record company producers will be queuing up to look and see what we’ve got, but I just have the feeling we might come across something interesting.
Ron Sexsmith: Property of Jesus
If you have a suggestion for a performance of a Dylan song, or a Dylan related song, or a song in the style of Dylan, by a comparatively unknown singer or band, please email Tony@schools.co.uk with a link to the performance on line and any background information you have.
Previously in this series…
- Untold Dylan showcase: Make you feel my love – Jüri Aidas
- The Untold Bob Dylan Showcase: Forever Young, Brian Houston
- Imaginary Future sings Times they are a changin
What else is on the site?
We have a very lively discussion group “Untold Dylan” on Facebook with over 3400 active members. (Try imagining a place where it is always safe and warm). Just type the phrase “Untold Dylan” in, on your Facebook page or follow this link
You’ll find some notes about our latest posts arranged by themes and subjects on the home page of this site. You can also see details of our main sections on this site at the top of this page under the picture.
The index to all the 602 Dylan compositions and co-compositions that we have found on the A to Z page.
If you are interested in Dylan’s work from a particular year or era, your best place to start is Bob Dylan year by year.
On the other hand if you would like to write for this website, or indeed have an idea for a series of articles that the regular writers might want to have a go at, please do drop a line with details of your idea, or if you prefer, a whole article to Tony@schools.co.uk
And please do note our friends at The Bob Dylan Project, which lists every Dylan song in alphabetical order, and has links to licensed recordings and performances by Dylan and by other artists, plus links back to our reviews (which we do appreciate).
Thank you Tony,
Ron Sexsmith a Canadian singer/songwriter is one of the most authentic musicians you could ever know! He is far from amateur though, as he is an Juno award winning multinstramental artist with several highly successful albums to his credit! That is why him performing covers being taped on his phone is just so amazing! His originals are breathtakingly beautiful and yet he shows such appreciation for other musicians. More heart than ego I would say. He has a new album coming out later this year and has a tour planned for the UK this fall if this virus doesn’t cause cancellation. For a recording artist of such high calibre, Ron performing such an unpretentious stripped down rendering of one of Bob Dylan’s songs is just a real testament of his musical personality. He can just be a guy singing and playing his piano with no affectation! He makes himself accessible like a friend!
He has done many other covers as well everything from Elton John, Van Morrison, and many more including several other Dylan. I am so glad he is being featured in this amazing showcase of Untold Dylan website. You should post Ron doing a different Dylan cover at some point such as “Jokerman”, “I want you” or “It takes a lot to laugh it takes a train to cry.”
I think showcase might take a while to really get underway but is a highly worthwhile project! I am very grateful for it.
Thank you
denise aka nissi k
Leonard Cohen influences Ron Sexsmith a bunch…covers ‘Heart With No Companion’
Also “Sisters of Mercy”
Yes Larry so glad you are familiar! He’s a real Gem! I hope you have listened to his originals as they are totally incredible and highly descriptive. I only recently started listening to his music as I was slow. I am so happy to find him now though because he is a true poet!