It's actually hard to believe that two years have past since Wendy James' last album. 'I Came Here To Blow Minds' was released. Once again she has come up trumps by collaborating with legendary Stooges guitarist James Williamson and Bad Seeds drummer Jim Sclavunos. She has a brand new Double A-Sided single due out called 'You're So Great' and a stunning cover version of Bob Dylan's 'It's All Right Ma'.
WENDY ON 'IT'S ALRIGHT MA':
I, like millions of others, begin and end with Bob Dylan. Since I can't remember when, maybe 12 years old? Bob has been my touchstone. His songs are what I listen to when I need to calm my soul, find my peace, find my strength, affirm my wisdom. Bob Dylan has tracked my soul for all my life so far, and always will. There are of course, so many many perfect moments from him, it's mind-blowing the simplicity, the complexity, the effortlessness, the timelessness of his words and his melodies. Blood On The Tracks, Bringing It All Back Home, Desire, Slow Train Coming... I mean, I'm just going to list you everything. But... when I was about 13 years old I heard "It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding" and that was it for me. He knew everything. Job done. Life explained.
I, like millions of others, begin and end with Bob Dylan. Since I can't remember when, maybe 12 years old? Bob has been my touchstone. His songs are what I listen to when I need to calm my soul, find my peace, find my strength, affirm my wisdom. Bob Dylan has tracked my soul for all my life so far, and always will. There are of course, so many many perfect moments from him, it's mind-blowing the simplicity, the complexity, the effortlessness, the timelessness of his words and his melodies. Blood On The Tracks, Bringing It All Back Home, Desire, Slow Train Coming... I mean, I'm just going to list you everything. But... when I was about 13 years old I heard "It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding" and that was it for me. He knew everything. Job done. Life explained.
So, now, 2012, when James and I had decided to do "You're So Great" as a special Single Release, he asked me what my favorite Dylan number is and always, ultimately I go to "It's Alright Ma." Enthusiastically we decided to record both songs, and then... Let me tell you, there's a big difference between listening to "Its Alright Ma" and singing it. I understand his rhythm, his intention, his breath, his humor, his message, to be clear: I understand his choice of words.
It was heaven in the studio, losing myself on the microphone, telling the tale, singing the truth, having my few hours bathing in that High White Noise... and James in the control room watching on proudly...Yes. It was a good day... It was the kind of day that explains exactly, innately, why one does this in life.
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