A Fabulous Education
Bob Dylan biopic 'I'm Not There' has to be one of the best films about music of recent times spinning a tender tale with Dylan portrayed by a mirage of different actors. One of the finest points of the film is its soundtrack. Of course it's a myriad of Dylan songs, but, as the film portrays the singer as a variety of characters; the soundtrack shows different sides to the music with a bountiful collection of engaging covers from the likes of Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady, Charlotte Gainsbourg and The Black Keys.
Stephen Malkmus lends his sweet and tender vocals to a fair few tracks, he's gentle and reminiscent on 'Can't Leave Her Behind' and jazzy and warm on 'Maggie's Farm', proving not only a love of Dylan, but a versatility. Songwriter Sufjan Stevens adds a similar glowing and soft vocal line to 'Ring Them Bells'; it's almost a new wave of psychedelia that's far more chilled and surreal than the raw beauty of the original. Charlotte Gainsbourg adds a whole new perspective to, 'Just Like A Woman' really getting into the tune's breathy chorus, "She makes love just like a woman/ And she aches just like a woman/ But she breaks just like a little girl." Another fine female performance comes from Cat Power who adds a warm hue to, 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again'.
Plenty of the tunes do sound relatively consistent with the original,Yo La Tengo's take on, 'I Wanna Be Your Lover' is pretty true to Dylan with exuberant energy and Jack Johnson's acoustic effort, 'Mama, You've Been On My Mind' is relatively unexceptional. Mark Lanegan's doomy, 'Man In The Long Black Coat' is a perfect casting with the singer's gravelly, rasping vocals menacing the listener until shivers run down their spine. Classic revolutionary anthem, 'The Times Are a Changin'' is left to Minneapolis musician Mason Jennings who even pins down the lackadaisical harmonica instrumentals. It's far more fun when the bands add their own style to the music, for instance The Hold Steady's version of 'Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?' is instantly recognisable from the golden synth sighs, twinkling keys and emphatic vocals. Calexico and Iron and Wine team up for an electrifying version of 'Dark Eyes' thick with earthy echoes, while Calexico with Roger McQuinn give, 'One More Cup Of Coffee' a fruit momentum with brass licks and a sweltering summer night feel.
Antony and The Johnsons transform, 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' into a quivering and delicate lullaby with an almost mournful tone. When dealing with material as deeply rooted in popular culture as Bob Dylan's best known tracks, there will be many who criticise any cover, and Eddie Vedder's 'All Along The Watchtower' is certain to come under close scrutiny, following in the footsteps of many other rock greats. Luckily it's a fiery and energetic rendition that captures the drive of the tune pretty well with some top guitarwork.
The only track actually featuring Dylan is the closer, 'I'm Not There', which provides a fitting tribute to the great man. The title track also gets another impressive makeover from Sonic Youth on the first disc of the duo, proving one of the highlights in its woozy fuzz rock. Soundtracks and covers albums both ring danger bells in most record buyers' heads, but the soundtrack to 'I'm Not There' has something for all genuine music lovers and Dylan enthusiasts.