A music-obsessed, retired San Francisco lawyer, and author of the rock & roll memoir Jittery White Guy Music (available on Amazon)... picking a random album or song in his collection every day or so and sharing a few thoughts.
Here's another entry where I'm going with the cover version. "Roll On Babe" began as a bluegrass number written by banjo player Derroll Adams, released in 1967. But the version I fell in love with was recorded by Ronnie Lane after his 1973 departure from the Faces, and included on his solo debut, 1974's Anymore For Anymore (with his band Slim Chance). Lane's version retains the original's folk/Americana flavor, with gentle guitar finger-picking, while adding a ton of melodic sweetness. It's one of those lovely numbers you hear once and immediately feel like it's always been a part of your life, a beloved friend that's always by your side. Just beautiful, right?
Not surprisingly, it's been covered a number of times, typically with Lane's gorgeous arrangement.
Lane's 1974 version:
Derroll Adams original:Lane, live 1974:One of my favorite versions, by Vetiver (2008):Yo La Tengo (2020):Del Amitri:
Comments
Post a Comment