Sign on the Window isn't the Bob Dylan podcast you need, but it's definitely the one that you want! Each week we select a Dylan song at random, live with the song for a week (or two) and then get together to discuss. This week Music Video Month continues with 1985's "When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky.
This week, Kelly and Daniel rehash our initial feelings from episode 66 (2:00), talk context (8:00), the song itself (13:00) and how it works today (24:30). Kelly recommends a few local bands while Daniel reminds people that jazz still exists.
Next week: I was born here and I'll die here, against my will.
WHAT DID WE SAY ON EP. 66? (2:00)
We talked Empire Burlesque before. What did we say about this song?
CONTEXT (8:00)
The song was recorded multiple times.
The version on TBLS Vol. 1-3 was recorded February 19, 1985 in Studio A at The Power Station New York City in 5 takes, one of them on. The version on Empire Burlesque was recorded February 23 in 4 takes.
Personnel across both takes include: Robbie Shakespeare on bass, Sly Dunbar on drums, and backing vocals from Queen Ester Marrow, Debra Byrd and Carolyn Dennis. On Feb. 19, Steve van Zandt provided guitar and Roy Bittan piano. On Feb. 23, Al Kooper and Stu Kimball played guitar and Richard Stevenson added the synthesizer.
As of recording, Dylan's performed this 61 times — from February 5, 1986 to Oct. 16, 1987.
SONG ITSELF (10:00)
We dive surprisingly deep on this classic "park bench" song. We disagree on which version (the generic rock version or the quintessentially '80s version) is better. Daniel makes the case that every variation from the February 19 take to February 23 was detrimental: 2 minutes longer!, major to minor keys, almost all lyrical changes water it down.
In the liner notes for The Bootleg Series, Vol. 1-3, John Bauldie writes:
... it’s remarkable to remember that this is a take which was presumably judged as not being good enough for release, merely a workout, and yet Dylan sings wonderfully. The song seems capable of kicking itself into ever-higher gear, and as the band recognizes it, so does Dylan, who gets audibly more and more excited as the song progresses
Despite it all, the lyrics are some of Dylan's strongest during this low point for him. It's an intriguing song that, thankfully, is preserved in an earlier, rawer form. We discuss the lyrics in detail and work out what's going on.
DOES IT WORK IN 2019? (24:30)
It's fine. Kelly was less into it than Daniel, and disagreed about the best version.
For Daniel, the great one-liners make the song:
It don't matter who loves who,
Either you'll love me or I'll love youYou'll know everything, my love
Down below and up aboveI don't want to drown in someone else's wine,
And you'll give it to me now or I'll take it anyhow
The '80s sound just keeps this from being an indispensable song.
MIDWAY THROUGH MUSIC VIDEO MONTH
If you haven't seen this music video, do yourself a favor!
THE EPISODE’S BOOKLET & PLAYLIST (28:15)
RECOMMENDATIONS (31:00)
Kelly recommends the bands Chrono Collapse and Stereo Creeps (specifically "Hot Apartment!"). Also Good Omens on Amazon.
Daniel has been listening '20s jazz like its the new lo-fi hip hop. Featuring Bix Beiderbecke, King Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton (after "Duquesne Whistle" last week), Roy Eldridge, Cab Calloway, Chick Webb's bands at the Savoy.
Also, found a great combo track list for a combination Illinois and Avalanche album that Sufjan could've made.
ENDINGS
There's now 418 songs left. I asked Kelly to, once again, pick a song for no reason. She choose #167, which could've been another album, Time Out of Mind. Not correct, but on the right path! We'll visit with a standout from Time of Out Mind, 1997's "Not Dark Yet."
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089 – "When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky"