
Though it is among Dylan‘s most acclaimed early songs, “Boots of Spanish Leather” does not get the kind of attention that some of the others get, especially those that were hits for him or hits for other artists. Currently it’s his 26th most covered song. For anyone other than Dylan, that would mean very few covers, but there are plenty because it’s Bob Dylan. Dylan didn’t play the song live much until his Never Ending Tour started and that’s when the covers really pick up.
Perhaps inspired by the new biopic, Canadian indie rockers Half Moon Run have decided to tackle this slightly less-covered Dylan song. The opening of their cover throws us for a loop, as it starts with a drum beat, a count-in and a droning keyboard. However, soon the guitar kicks in, playing the same pattern as Dylan does in his original. Lead singer Devon Portielje has a prettier voice and sings the lyrics with a little more emotion, at a faster pace, but otherwise mostly follows the original’s lead. There’s a buzzing, atmospheric sound in the background between the verses. Portielje’s voice is double at times on the final verses.
So it’s both faithful and also a little quirky at the same time, like an old folk song inserted into an indie aesthetic. I think it mostly works. It’s always been a pretty song and Half Moon Run’s arrangement does nothing to reduce how pretty it sounds. Check it out:
I saw Joan Baez sing a duet with the late Nancy Griffith years ago and it was magic. Looking forward to listening to this one.