Willie Nile to Release Dylan Covers Album

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For his 11th studio album, one singer-songwriter is paying tribute to another: Positively Bob: Willie Nile Sings Bob Dylan will be released June 23 on River House Records.

According to a press release, “Dylan’s poetic genius and playful irreverence are prominent throughout Positively Bob, with Nile mining 10 vintage Dylan compositions, with imaginative, uninhibited arrangements that often recast familiar songs in a fascinating new light.” Tracks include “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere,” “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” “Love Minus Zero/No Limit,” “I Want You,” “Every Grain of Sand” and “Abandoned Love.”

“These songs opened up a lot of doors for me, and for a whole generation of kids,” Nile says in the release. “Discovering Dylan’s songs in the ’60s was incredibly liberating; it made me realize that there were no limitations or walls that could not be scaled or knocked down. This is the Shakespeare of rock ’n’ roll we’re talkin’ about here.”

Willie Nile

For the recording, Nile tapped his longtime producer Stewart Lerman, as well as calling on noted artist James Maddock, to add guitar and backing vocals on the sessions. Maddock suggested Spin Doctors member Aaron Comess, who became drummer on the project. With longtime Nile band members Matt Hogan and Johnny Pisano on board, the sessions took place at Comess’ Brooklyn studio, His House–Innsbruck Studio, where Nile and company recorded all of the album’s basic tracks and lead vocals in two days.

While he continues to compose new material, Nile will take his Dylan material on tour. The complete itinerary follows.

Tour Dates
April 21 Albany, NY The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio
April 30 Staten Island, NY Hamilton Park House Concerts
May 2 Port Washington, NY Landmark On Main Street
May 12 Beacon, NY Towne Crier Café
May 13 Rochester, NY The Montage Music Hall
May 19 Bergamo, Italy
May 20 Trieste, Italy
May 21 Grosetto, Italy
May 27 Montepulcoano, Italy
May 22 Loveladies, NJ Long Beach Island Foundation
June 17 Asbury Park, NJ TBA
June 23 Tarrytown, NY Tarrytown Music Hall
Sept. 1 Bronx, NY Yankee Stadium
Oct. 10 Uncasville, CT Wolf Den
Nov. 17-18 Northampton, MA Iron Horse Music Hall
Feb. 10, 2018 Ridgefield, CT Ridgefield Playhouse