Various Artists
Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International
(Amnesty International)
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Does the world need another Bob Dylan covers album? Through the troubadour's 50-year career, you can find countless cover albums and songs spanning genres ranging from classical, hip-hop, pop and metal.
Now it's the powerhouse global charity organisation Amnesty International stepping into this murky tradition with its own release of Bob Dylan covers to celebrate its 50th anniversary.The collection works due to the sheer musical talent on display and due to its ridiculously generous length of 75 songs spread over four CDs.
With such a large offering, one could easily be Bob-ed out – or Bob-ed into submission – but the songs are all lovingly performed by artists more than content to pay homage to their hero. Steve Earl gives a stirring rendition of One More Cup of Coffee while Carolina Chocolate Drops gives Political World the bluesy stomp the original track could have used.
Ziggy Marley's take on Blowin' in the Wind may have been safe but the reggae vibe gives the song an added grandeur. Queens of the Stone Age give Outlaw Blues some extra boogie while Silversun Pickups' Not Dark Yet show Dylan's songwriting can translate just as equally to emo. Sure there are a few clunkers but the respect paid to the songwriting is there, something Dylan effortlessly championed to this day.
