Cover Of The Day: Norah Jones Sings Dylan & The Band

Oh, Norah...but I digress...

This "cover of the day" bit is kinda infectious-fast and easy, something to do while sipping on the first chai latte of the day while contemplating the price we have to pay for such beautiful weather.

Today's original is "Bessie Smith", one of the demo recordings on The Basement Tapes, the highly influential and famously bootlegged product of the 1967 Bob Dylan collaboration with The Band. Subsequently released in LP format on June 26, 1975, the recordings were and remain a critical favorite. Dunno much about the history of "Bessie Smith" except that it was penned by The Band members Rick Danko and J.R. Robertson. My guess is it's some kind of homage to blues legend Bessie Smith (anyone know better? Leave comments please). The original version straddles the folk-country divide with some damn good clavinet solo.

On April 16, 2002, the beautiful, exotic, sultry Norah Jones gave the song a jazz/blues treatment live at the House of Blues, Chicago, IL. Enjoy.

Bessie Smith Bob Dylan & The Band
Bessie Smith Norah Jones