Introduced to Dave's Ashgrove track by RP, I've now been listening to it for several years in my own collection. I knew it was about a favored club having burned down, but little else. Well, I did the research and it turns out the club's history is very unique as well as extremely historical.

I wrote up a post about it on Floydian Slips, with a link to a movie trailer and all. It's a SLOW load, but the trailer has Dave talking about how he came to be a regular at the Ash Grove. It also features Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder and other prior performers at this now-defunct venue.

Incidentally, the track is listed on RP as a single word, but the club's name is two words, being derived from a Welsh folk song.

 rKokon wrote: 

Wow.  The best I could come up with was "Groovy..."   Dude, quit hogging the pipe.

 catsoup wrote: 
What's one man's pain might be another one's pleasure.

I prefer the Robbie Robertson version.

Where you want this killin' done?

I love the guitar work and his voice is awesome...this cover is almost perfect.

 MCKY wrote: 
It is so much better than letting Mr. Dylan torture a microphone that I have to give it a 9 in comparison. My only worry is that Bill usually plays a track by the original performer after doing a cover.

 Lazaerus wrote: 
Johnny has Hwy 61 on several albums , think the first was Second Winter which on vinyl was 3 sided 2 records but only 1 side recorded on 2nd record. Being a old Winters fan I enjoyed the Crossroads concert but it was nothing compared to numerous other times I heard him play it.

Alvin's a great performer, but this version of H-61 doesn't work for me.

Go Dave!

 

Love this song, my favorite rendition was done by Johnny Winters on the 2007 Crossroads concert... played with the Derek Trucks band and various other artist, it smoked!

David does an OK job of it though, kinda the country rap version of a blues song.

I'd like to dump this song on Highway 61.

I thought I'd heard this song recently - it was the Dylan version.  This is so much better.  I almost always like Dylan songs better when sung by people other than Dylan.  Love his songwriting, can't stand his voice.

This cover beats the pants off of Zimmy's any day!!!

Getting better each time I hear it.

i love hearing spoken word and great music combined! gives my head a chance to go somewhere else for awhile in such a busy world....

 spraehbuer wrote: 
IMO dylans version is vivid & lively, whether you like his voice or not.
this one is too cool, got no guts & i miss the humor!

 spraehbuer wrote: 

Actually, the difference in voices make this 2 different songs, for me. This is the first time I have even listened to the lyrics. This is a sexy, arresting version.

I've changed my mind. This may actually be better than Robbie Robertson's version. Upped it to a 7.

Sounds like a retooling of Ashgrove, which I thoroughly enjoy. Makes me think that Dave's a one-trick pony, however.

such much cooler without Dylan's (IMO) annoying voice

What a great way to appreciate Dylan.

thewiseking wrote:

Amazing the way Bill has so completely reinvented himself. He doesn't look or act a thing like the young Star Trek Shatner. Good thing about the acting...

I detect a Shatner influence here, only Shatner is funnier.

Like this...driving...nice take on a classic...there's room for both.