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Dylan or Hendrix: The All Along The Watchtower Story

By Matthew Gardiner

I'm bringing you back to the time of hippies and VW vans. That's right it's the Swingin' Sixties! In the early Sixties, a man by the name of Robert Zimmerman was establishing his folk career. Better known by his stage name "Bob Dylan", Zimmerman wrote All Along The Watchtower along with the rest of the album it came from, John Wesley Harding, while recuperating from a motorcycle accident in 1966. John Wesley Harding was released in 1968 to no great fanfare. Watchtower found its way to the ears of James "Jimi" Hendrix and his Experience via publicist Michael Goldstein. Hendrix's version was released six months later to much fanfare. Very well received, Watchtower rose to a Top 20 hit and is still regarded as one of the greatest guitar solos of all time.

Enough with the background, let's get to the songs. I'll start with Dylan. Built off of two melancholy chords ( bar F and A minor) and a shrill harmonica lead, Dylan oscillates between high and higher notes while half-talking, half -singing his interpretation of the the Books of Isaiah (21:5-9). Clocking in at 2:34, Watchtower leaves you feeling heavy and slightly confused without really knowing why until you look at the lyrics. As always, Dylan rams a full dictionary into his songs within a short period of time.

Hendrix took a slightly different approach. Replacing the harmonica solos and leads with a phased up electric guitar while keeping the acoustic rhythm gives a sense that the original wasn't completely discarded in the covering process. Props to you Jimi. Altering a few words here and there and mix in his flare for theatrics, Hendrix turns Dylan's soft and whispering folk tune into full out rocker; complete with raging solos partially played with his mouth. This Watchtower leaves you amped up and wanting to learn the guitar solely for this one song.

4/5 dentists recommend listening to both tunes and deciding which one you like better. Some side effects include: Foot Tapping, Head Banging, Rapid Repeat Button Syndrome and Air Guitar. Personally I like the Dylan version for its sheer rawness and Hendrix for the cannonball rhythm and wicked solo.