Cat Power has announced plans to pay tribute to one of the most infamous concerts in music history. As per Pitchfork, the US musician is set to play a one-off show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in November, recreating Bob Dylan’s legendary 1966 show at the venue.
According to a press release, Dylan’s 1966 concert has been called “the culmination of one of the most consequential tours in the history of rock & roll – when he electrified his songs, and by doing so enraged his devoted audience”. As Dylan did on 17th May, 1966, Cat Power will perform acoustically for the first half of the show, before being joined by an electric band for the remainder.
Bob Dylan – ‘Like A Rolling Stone’
Dylan’s 1966 concert was a major landmark amid an ongoing controversy the singer endured during the mid-’60s. Having made a name for himself as an acoustic folk musician throughout the early years of the decade, controversy emerged on 25th July, 1965, when Dylan performed an electric set at the Newport Folk Festival.
Much of the controversy was stirred up by purists who saw Dylan abandoning his protest singing roots. The controversy came to a head during his performance in England the following year when, ahead of a performance of ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ with backing band The Hawks, an audience member called Dylan “Judas” for his supposed betrayal of the folk scene.
Dylan’s Royal Albert Hall concert is also the source of confusion for many fans. Despite the famous show being described as having taken place at the iconic venue, it actually took place at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall, with bootleggers mislabelling the show in subsequent years.
According to Setlist.fm, Cat Power has performed a number of Bob Dylan covers of the years. She covered ‘Kingsport Town’ and ‘Paths Of Victory’ on her 2000 album, The Covers Record, ‘I Believe In You’ on 2008’s Jukebox, and ‘Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again’ for the soundtrack to Todd Haynes’ 2007 film I’m Not There.
Cat Power – ‘Kingsport Town’
Further Reading
Love Letter To A Record: Emma Russack On Cat Power’s ‘You Are Free’
Bob Dylan Sells Unique Version Of ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ For $2.6 million
