Oberst/Dylan… continued

Playing Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes almost non-stop since his superlative Portsmouth gig on Tuesday, I keep returning to the Nebraskan’s cover version of Girl From (sic) The North Country.

It’s a live rendition, by Oberst, along with Americana chums M Ward and Jim James, recorded specially for the September 2005 MOJO free cover disc, Dylan Covered.

And it’s magnificent. Oberst’s second verse entry is one of the most jaw-droppingly dramatic moments in rock music.

This North Country is probably my favourite Dylan cover of all. I almost prefer it to the Dylan/Cash version.



Gerry Smith