Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That long black cloud is comin’ down I feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door
That long black cloud is comin’ down I feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door
1. Main Title Theme (Billy) (6:05)
2. Cantina Theme (Workin' for the Law) (2:56)
3. Billy 1 (3:55)
4. Bunkhouse Theme (2:15)
5. River Theme (1:28)
6. Turkey Chase (3:34)
7. Knockin' on Heaven's Door (2:32)
8. Final Theme (5:23)
9. Billy 4 (5:03)
10. Billy 7 (2:08)
Review: Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid is a soundtrack album released by Bob Dylan to go along with the Sam Peckinpah film of the same name. Its unlike any other Dylan album in that it is mostly instrumental, with only 'Billy' 1, 4 and 7, and 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' having lyrics. The rest of the song functions as background music and little more. As such, the album cannot be fairly compared with the rest of Bob's catalog. But, I will attempt to write about the album as per my normal process, because that is what I do here.
'Main Title Theme' is a 'Billy' song without any words (you'll know what that means when you here the other 'Billy's'). It's a fine introduction to the album, and certainly one of the better instrumentals, but the other Billy songs must be judged superior because Bob sings on them. The song introduces the album themes of acoustic guitars leading the way, backed up by drums and bass.
'Cantina Theme' is a light continuation of the same elements introduced in the first track. Pleasant country-western background music.
Finally, we get to 'Billy 1.' Bob is unmistakable on the harp from the beginning of the track, blowing out the melody we will come to know so well on the rest of the album. The song is 4 minutes long, but it takes nearly halfway through until Bob starts singing. "There's guns across the river aimin' atcha' ... Billy they don't like ya to be so free." The song is a forlorn tale of a doomed gunslinger. Classic Dylan, really. It's over practically before you know it.
'Bunkhouse Theme' is a slight little ditty, and 'River Theme' is more of the same although on this one we at least get some humming by Bob and background vocalists. Its a good melody, but its not expanded on much in the context on an album like this one.
'Turkey Chase' features fast fiddling and banjo. The speed and aggressiveness of the song make it seem a bit out of place amongst the other numbers.
Next we get the legendary 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door.' The original version too, in all its glory. Its probably one of the most covered songs in all of rock, with Guns N Roses, Eric Clapton, and Roger Waters among those who have performed it. What more can be said about it? The ghostly background vocals, Bob approaching his peak vocally ... it truly is a legendary record. Bob would go on to perform this song often throughout his years on the road. It was one of the few recent songs to land on 1974's 'Before the Flood.' It found its way onto 'Budokan' in a reggae version, and was one of the highlights of 'Unplugged.' It has since crept in and out of Bob's NET sets. It is the only song on the album, aside from 1 memorable performance of 'Billy 4' in 2009, that Bob ever played live.
'Final Theme' echoes 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' but without the lyrics. A flute creeps out to play lead mid-song. Not especially memorable.
The song closes with 2 more performances of Billy. They are different enough that the different versions are warranted in my opinion. 'Billy 4' changes the key from 'Billy 1' and opens with Bob singing the first verse, rather than harp. Bob's voice is front and center and the backing instruments are kept more in the back compared with 'Billy 1.' "Billy you're so far away from home" is repeated at the end of the song. 'Billy 7' sounds deliberately slow and lower than the other versions. The full band comes in just in time to start the closing fade out.
So this is an album of 2 songs, Billy and Knockin' on Heavens Door, and a whole lot of instrumental filler. Still, there is nothing that can be called "bad" on the album, assuming you are OK with 'Turkey Chase' - its just not really a Bob Dylan album like all the rest. Its tough to compare any Bob Dylan album with another, but in this case its really tough because of how few original lyrical rock songs there are. Its not an album I find myself reaching for often, but I always find it very listenable. On 'Billy 1' I find myself especially impressed with Bob's singing and harping.
Rating: 5 / 10 ***** / **********
Best 3 song run: Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Final Theme - Billy 4
Finally, we get to 'Billy 1.' Bob is unmistakable on the harp from the beginning of the track, blowing out the melody we will come to know so well on the rest of the album. The song is 4 minutes long, but it takes nearly halfway through until Bob starts singing. "There's guns across the river aimin' atcha' ... Billy they don't like ya to be so free." The song is a forlorn tale of a doomed gunslinger. Classic Dylan, really. It's over practically before you know it.
'Bunkhouse Theme' is a slight little ditty, and 'River Theme' is more of the same although on this one we at least get some humming by Bob and background vocalists. Its a good melody, but its not expanded on much in the context on an album like this one.
'Turkey Chase' features fast fiddling and banjo. The speed and aggressiveness of the song make it seem a bit out of place amongst the other numbers.
Next we get the legendary 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door.' The original version too, in all its glory. Its probably one of the most covered songs in all of rock, with Guns N Roses, Eric Clapton, and Roger Waters among those who have performed it. What more can be said about it? The ghostly background vocals, Bob approaching his peak vocally ... it truly is a legendary record. Bob would go on to perform this song often throughout his years on the road. It was one of the few recent songs to land on 1974's 'Before the Flood.' It found its way onto 'Budokan' in a reggae version, and was one of the highlights of 'Unplugged.' It has since crept in and out of Bob's NET sets. It is the only song on the album, aside from 1 memorable performance of 'Billy 4' in 2009, that Bob ever played live.
'Final Theme' echoes 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' but without the lyrics. A flute creeps out to play lead mid-song. Not especially memorable.
The song closes with 2 more performances of Billy. They are different enough that the different versions are warranted in my opinion. 'Billy 4' changes the key from 'Billy 1' and opens with Bob singing the first verse, rather than harp. Bob's voice is front and center and the backing instruments are kept more in the back compared with 'Billy 1.' "Billy you're so far away from home" is repeated at the end of the song. 'Billy 7' sounds deliberately slow and lower than the other versions. The full band comes in just in time to start the closing fade out.
So this is an album of 2 songs, Billy and Knockin' on Heavens Door, and a whole lot of instrumental filler. Still, there is nothing that can be called "bad" on the album, assuming you are OK with 'Turkey Chase' - its just not really a Bob Dylan album like all the rest. Its tough to compare any Bob Dylan album with another, but in this case its really tough because of how few original lyrical rock songs there are. Its not an album I find myself reaching for often, but I always find it very listenable. On 'Billy 1' I find myself especially impressed with Bob's singing and harping.
Rating: 5 / 10 ***** / **********
Best 3 song run: Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Final Theme - Billy 4
It's a great record - a lesser classic for sure. I like "Billy" in all its incarnations, and the instrumental stuff is terrific. It's Bobtastic for sure. Good review!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of that, but it's tough to match it up against Bob's classic records (or his next 3 amazing albums). But on its own, it's not bad at all.
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