Jackie Greene/Sal Valentino & Friends
POSITIVELY 12th & K - A Bob Dylan Tribute
DIG Music DIG 109
Californian blues/folk/rock luminaries of varying vintage attack the Bob Dylan songbook, all Live at Marilyn's. DIG Music come up with some great ideas and projects and this is a no-nonsense, punchy set.
Opener 'Subterranean..' finds young Jackie Greene in fiery form, with a tight rhythm section booting his backside as he storms through the song. Next up Valentino, a much respected Sacramento and thereabouts area singer gets to grips with 'Isis'. I think the bass here is Hence Philips and boy does it fly! The selections veer from the blindingly obvious to the more intriguing, such as Blues Matters! Own man Mick Martin singing and playing harp on 'Lonesome day Blues' ; I think they should have left 'WatchTower' alone along with some others BUT it is a great experience to hear 'Not Dark Yet' performed by musicians of this calibre alongside 'Most Of The Time' and 'Everything Is Broken'. As the singers generally put the lyrics over with utmost clarity this is not the same experience as hearing a Dylan 'own' record.
The only criticism one could make is that a little too often the pacing of the songs adheres too closely to the original version and surely one or two radical arrangements might have been attempted? ; against this the crowd reaction is audibly enthusiastic and this must have been a great gig to attend. At no point does the musical standard drop and this is a manifest talent pool to be proud of for the area. A notion that finds fine execution, crisply captured on this CD and a credit to all, especially Greene.
PETE SARGEANT