Photo by Inez & Vinoodh
Renowned singer-songwriter Cat Power is gearing up for the release of her highly anticipated live album, Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert, set to hit the shelves via Domino Recording Co., on Nov. 10. In celebration of the announcement of the project Cat Power shared her renditions of Dylan’s “She Belongs To Me” and “Ballad Of A Thin Man” which are both featured on the LP.
The collection was recorded on Nov. 5, 2022, at London’sRoyal Albert Hall and showcases Chan Marshall, known by her stage name Cat Power, delivering a mesmerizing, song-for-song recreation of Dylan’s iconic and metamorphic live performance. The original show, held at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in May 1966 but famously mislabeled as the “Royal Albert Hall Concert” on bootlegs, saw Dylan’s groundbreaking shift from acoustic to electric. Cat Power’s renditions pay homage to Dylan’s everlasting mark on music while infusing it with her fresh vitality.
Few voices in American indie rock are as deeply embedded in its iconography and mythology as that of Cat Power. With nearly 25 years of musical prowess as a songwriter, producer, and vocalist, her influence has only grown stronger over time. Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert is the latest addition to her repertoire of albums that reimagine classics from the American songbook. Other examples include 2000’s The Covers Record, 2008’s Jukebox and most recently 2022’s Covers. Read Relix‘s review of the latter here.
The new features a 15-song set that includes timeless songs including, “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Like a Rolling Stone,” and several tracks from Blonde on Blonde, like “Just Like a Woman.” Mirroring the original concert, Cat Power’s performance is divided into two halves, with the first being entirely acoustic and the second electrified, featuring a full band comprised of guitarist Arsun Sorrenti, bassist Erik Paparozzi, multi-instrumentalists Aaron Embry (harmonica, piano and Jordan Summers (organ, Wurlitzer), along with drummer Josh Adams.
“I had and still have such respect for the man who crafted so many songs that helped develop conscious thinking in millions of people, helped shape the way they see the world,” said Cat Power. “So even though my hands were shaking so much I had to keep them in my pockets, I felt real dignity for myself. It felt like a real honor for me to stand there.”
Pre-order Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert here.
Listen to “She Belongs To Me” and “Ballad Of A Thin Man” below.
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