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“Blind Willie McTell”: The Story behind the Bob Dylan masterpiece
The Story of how an outtake from the “Infidels” sessions became one of Bob Dylan’s most enduring songs.
In April 1983, Bob Dylan invited guitarist Mark Knopfler to produce Infidels, the follow-up to 1981’s Shot of Love. Marking Dylan’s return to secular music after three evangelical albums, Infidels retained some Christian imagery but focused on themes of love, loss, and geopolitical commentary. Amid the songs recorded, one stood out: “Blind Willie McTell.”
Prelude
To those who aren’t aware, Blind Willie McTell played a big role in bringing the “delta blues” to the mainstream by creating several blues songs that would later become standards after his death. One of those examples is “Statesboro Blues”, which would become a signature song of the Allman Brothers Band. His distinctive style of 12-string guitar and clear voice left a lasting mark on American music
In the context of this song, the bluesman represents the mindset of an aging Bob Dylan who was attempting to communicate an emotion…