Bob Dylan’s original Self Portrait was not well received by critics, but Another Self Portrait, the latest installment in his Bootleg Series, has fared much better. The album presents previously unreleased covers of traditional folk songs and showcases the covers on the original Self Portrait in new ways. In honor of those classic tracks, we’ve compiled versions of the songs by the original artists that inspired Dylan’s covers, as well as popular covers of the songs by other artists.
Videos by American Songwriter
Clarence Ashley’s original recording of “Little Sadie” serves as the basis for Dylan’s versions of the track. Ashley first recorded the song in 1930, but re-recorded the song with Doc Watson in 1963.
Hedy West also covered the song on Pete Seeger’s Rainbow Quest.
Eric Andersen wrote “Thirsty Boots” about a friend’s trip home from a civil rights demonstration. The song was released on his 1966 album Bout Changes ‘n’ Things and has been covered by several artists over the years, including Judy Collins, John Denver, and The Kingston Trio.
“Bring Me A Little Water, Sylvie” was originally written and recorded by Lead Belly.
Lonnie Donegan & His Skiffle Group recorded a version of “Bring Me A Little Water, Sylvie.”
“House Carpenter” is the American name for the song based off of “The Daemon Lover,” a traditional Scottish ballad. Here’s Clarence Ashley’s version from 1928.
Joan Baez also covered “House Carpenter.”
“Spanish is the Loving Tongue” was first put to music by Billy Simon in 1925. The track is based off of a 1907 poem by Charles Badger Clark. Marianne Faithfull covered the song in 1965.
