How about Ferry's version being stuck in a musical no man's land between faithful reading and radical re-interpretation?

The irony of Dylan's original is that the world-weary howl, and lyric recalling long-lost friendships, was sung by a young man barely into his twenties at the time of its release, in 1963.

Bryan Ferry is 66. Here is one Dylan song that would actually benefit from his trademark ennui. Instead, he tiptoes around the heart of the lyric with a slightly asthmatic vocal, while the rhythm section hints tentatively at jauntiness but never quite gets there. It at once goes too far, and yet not far enough.

I'm not quite sure of the point of this cover, but, whatever it is, it's a missed opportunity to do something interesting with a great song. With a lifetime of experiences behind him, Ferry could have made this tune his own. Instead, he presents us with that most awful of musical platters: product.

Fair enough! But apart from that, what's not to like about it ?

I have to agree that you are right. It would probably have been more interesting and memorable if Bryan's vocal had a sense of ennui running through it - and that would have killed of the "semi-jaunty" delivery that you don't approve off. However, that said, I still really like it.

Sometimes it is just better to enjoy something for what it is rather than fault it for what it isn't. If I didn't do that then I would never listen to the later RM albums, for example.

It's pleasant enough, I suppose, but I really don't like his breathless vocal here.

I have a problem with cover versions in general, which is why I'm not fussed about half of Bryan's solo studio output. Covers have to have something to set them apart from the original -- take the song to new places -- otherwise why bother?

But yes, it's inoffensive to the neighbours. I'm sure they enjoyed it more than the Sun Ra Arkestra, who I've been listening to most of this week.

Interestingly, JO'B explains in his Latest News article that this track was cut from Dylanesque because Bryan was not happy with the vocals. So it looks like you and Bryan are as one on this.

I read the article to mean that the vocals had been re-worked prior to releasing this track - but maybe not.

My quote regarding BF not being happy with the vocals was lifted directly from BF.com

J.O'B.

I didn't read the blurb on VRM or BF.com, just followed the YouTube link from this thread.

Charity album or not, I'm surprised he's putting out this take in its present state. I can't remember ever hearing an officially-released BF vocal this poor.