The Bob Dylan album Cat Power calls “incredible”
For many, Bob Dylan transcends mere musicality, instead embodying the role of an emotional historian. His work delves deeper into the human soul than any other musician, leaving an unmatched trail for countless to discover. Cat Power approaches this no differently, regarding Dylan as an unparalleled force whose artistry remains an unparalleled force.
For Cat Power, whose real name is Chan Marshall, finding resonance within Dylan’s musical repertoire comes as no surprise. Having released music since the 1990s, Marshall has become an acclaimed master of indie folk, alternative rock and the blues, solidifying her presence and contributions as a highly influential figure in music.
Marshall first garnered critical praise for her 1998 album Moon Pix. Yet, it was in 2006 that she achieved broader mainstream recognition with the arrival of The Greatest, which entered the Billboard charts at number 34. Regarding personal influences, Marshall claims to hold many dear to her chest. “There are a zillion quadrillion incredible songs that have shaped me,” she told The Quietus, adding that her favourite albums “have informed something, helped me gravitate to something else…when I’ve listened to them, there’s been a change. Information came after them.”
Hence, Marshall’s collection features a notable array of country and folk albums, such as Joni Mitchell’s Blue, Bob Dylan’s Desire, and Willie Nelson’s Original Demos Album. Reflecting on Desire, Marshall remarked: “Desire is incredible. The history lessons in that record are just… incredible. He’s an informant.”
Discussing Dylan’s approach to songwriting, Marshall adds: “He has this ingredient, this lecturing tone when he’s translating the stories, which are informing you of like, what’s up, man. You know what I mean? He’s telling you like it is, like a teacher would.”
Marshall has expressed her appreciation for Dylan’s work on a number of occasions, even releasing an album in his honour, Cat Power Sings Dylan: the 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert. This is an album-length recreation of Dylan’s setlist that night. Adopting the barebones folk approach that echoed Dylan’s transitional phase between acoustic and electric, Power’s rendition of Dylan’s classics showcased her solitary voice and impressive ability to channel the late legend.
While the audio originates from the Manchester Free Trade Hall, the bootleg recording of Dylan’s 1966 concert has cemented itself as a pivotal aspect of his legacy. As Marshall put it: “More than the work of any other songwriter, Dylan’s songs have spoken to me and inspired me since I first began hearing them at five years old.”
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