Blind Willie McTell died in 1959, just a few years before Bob Dylan became an international superstar. Decades later Dylan wrote "Blind Willie McTell", a brilliant tribute to his blues hero. Though the song was recorded during the 1983 sessions for his 22nd album, Infidels, Dylan, for reasons which remain utterly baffling, decided to omit the song from the final album. Thankfully the track was rescued from non-album purgatory and released in 1991 to instant critical acclaim. It exists now as a cherished b-side, arguably Dylan's best song of the 1980s (which isn't actually saying a whole lot). Dylan later went on to record several covers of McTell songs, such as "Delia" and "Broke Down Engine", for his two early 90s covers records, Good As I Been To You (amazing) and World Gone Wrong (equally, if not more, amazing).
Despite hearing this song (and the covers) when I was still a teenager, it wasn't until earlier this year that I finally decided to sit down and listen to some of McTell's original recordings.
More fool me, I assure you. Astonishing stuff.
Thanks, Bob.
Bob Dylan - "Blind Willie McTell"
Enjoy.
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