Rocks and Gravel: performed three times before it mutated into….

By Tony Attwood

Three times and out: Songs that Dylan performed just three times and then left.  Previously we have looked at…

• Let it Be Me
• Dink’s Song
• When the Ship Comes In
• Fever
• Walls of Red Wing
• Precious Memories

Here we have a go at “Rocks and Gravel” which has a curious history – if you don’t know it I do hope you have a few moments to take in the whole article and the recordings because it really does take us somewhere unexpected (unless you already know the story, in which case don’t spoil it for anyone else).  I must admit I didn’t know where we were going until I listened to the song again today.  Something nudged me and I couldn’t quite place it until suddenly heard a line that I knew rather well.  But let me hold you in suspension if I may and take it from the start….

“Rocks and Gravel” is in itself unusual, in that it was played by Dylan three times but never released on an album.  This recording came from the Finjan Club in Montreal, Canada, in June 1962 – (it’s in a different key from the version above, which is the clue to it being a different version).

There are several retunes and a false start but it is worth staying with the recording.

It is a 12 bar blues with its own variants as it works its way through the song.   Some of the lyrics were used again later as you might recognise…

The song reoccurred later as “Solid Road”.  In the recording below it appears in two versions, the second starting at 2’21”.  A 5’03” we then get the song “Wichita (Going to Louisiana)”.  This is noted as a Bob Dylan song by the official site, with one performance date on 16 February 1962.

Rocks and Gravel was recorded for inclusion in Freewheelin’ but obviously dropped.

According to the official site the song “Rocks and Gravel” and was performed live three times between 16 February and 15 October 1962, and certainly it is this last recording above which really shows where Bob was trying to take the song as the recording has as noted a second version within it.

The lyrics are on different sites set out in different ways, but when written out as below they reveal the classic 12 bar blues construction

Takes rocks and gravel, baby, make a solid road, (Make a solid road)
Takes rocks and gravel, baby, make a solid road, (Make a solid road)
Takes a good woman mama, to satisfy my weary soul.

Have you ever been down on that Mobil and K. C. line,
Have you ever been down on that Mobil and K. C. line?
Well I just wanna ask you, if you seen that gal of mine.

Don't the clouds look lonesome shining across the sea,
Don't the clouds look lonesome shining across the sea,
Don't my gal look good,when she's comin' after me?

The KC Line is a reference that occurs in many blues songs including “Mobile and KC Line” by Monkey Joe.  This is on Spotify but I can’t find it available for free on the internet.

The “Don’t the clouds look good” line then of course got used later….  (“Never let a good idea go to waste,” as the artists always say.)

And so from Rocks and Gravel we end up with…

And just to give myself a pat on the back, Wikipedia (at least today) doesn’t note the origin of this song as being “Rocks and Gravel”.  OK there have been a few mutations on the way, but that’s is the journey Bob and the song took.  (I’m not saying I’m the first to spot this, but quite a few commentators have missed the link, so I thought I’d give myself a pat on the back).

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