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The singer Bob Dylan said is one of his favorites of all time
The impact of the music written by Bob Dylan is absolutely immeasurable. He is one of the most prolific songwriters of all time, known not only for the success of his own recordings but also for the countless incredible covers of his songs by other artists and bands.
Over the decades, he has spoken about many of those covers and praised artists he admired. There is one singer in particular who he said is one of his favorites of all time, describing him as one of the most soulful and as having an angelic voice.
The singer Bob Dylan said is one of his favorites of all time
Bob Dylan was named the MusiCares Person of the Year in 2015. During the annual gala, presented by the public charity and affiliate of the Recording Academy, many incredible artists paid tribute to him playing songs of his career.
One of them was the American singer Aaron Neville, whom Dylan described as one of the most soulful singers of all time and one of his favorites. In tribute to Dylan, Neville performed 'Shooting Star' during the ceremony.
In an interview with Bill Flanagan, talking about the ceremony, Dylan said: “I could always hear him singing that song. He’s recorded other songs of mine, all great performances. But for some reason I kept thinking about ‘Shooting Star,’ something he’s never recorded but I knew that he could. I could always hear him singing it for some reason, even when I wrote it. I mean, what can you say? He’s the most soulful of singers, maybe in all of recorded history. If angels sing, they must sing in that voice. I just think his gift is so great. The man has no flaws, never has. He’s always been one of my favorite singers right from the beginning.”
He continued:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YgUsBJO8F0
“Tell it Like it Is,” that could be my theme song. It’s strange, because he’s the kind of performer that can do your songs better than you, but you can’t do his better than him. Really, you can’t say enough about Aaron Neville. We won’t see his likes again," Bob Dylan said.
The Folk legend also said on another occasion that Aaron is one of "the world's greatest singers. A figure of real good power, built like a tank but has the most angelical singing voice".
Aaron Neville is just a few months older than Bob Dylan and began his career in 1960. His first hit single, "Tell It Like It Is" (1966), which was mentioned by Dylan, brought him national recognition. Throughout his career, he covered several songs by the folk rock songwriter, including "I Shall Be Released." In 1989, as part of the Neville Brothers, he covered "With God on Our Side," and in 2003, he sang "Saving Grace" on the Dylan tribute album Gotta Serve Somebody.
He also praised Neville in his memoir "Chronicles", mentioning The Neville Brothers versions of “With God on Our Side” and “Ballad of Hollis Brown” as some of his favorites. “It always surprises me to hear a song of mine done by an artist like this (Aaron) who is on such a high level. Over the years, songs may get away from you, but a version like this always brings it closer again.”
Aaron Neville is a big fan of Dylan
After his performance at the MusiCares ceremony, Aaron Neville was interviewed by the Grammy Awards and asked about when he became a Dylan fan. (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage) "I got into Bob back in the 60s, I think the album was 'The Times They Are a-Changin' (1965). I've been into him ever since, he's just a cool dude, you know? I like his writing and his singing is cool. He picked the song (Shooting Star), I was picking another song and he said: 'This may be cool'. I love the song (but) I had never heard it. (But I read over the years that he liked my versions). Especially the one I did 'With God on Our Side'. (I had the chance to hang out with him in New Orleans) some years back before (hurricane) Katrina," Aaron Neville said.
Besides the Bob Dylan songs, Aaron Neville also took part in a version of "End of the Line," a song co-written by Dylan with the supergroup Traveling Wilburys. This version was released on Dr. John's posthumous album "Things Happen That Way", featuring Aaron Neville.
The singer recorded songs in many different genres throughout his career, including R&B, soul, gospel, jazz, country, and pop. As a solo artist, he was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards and won 5.The post The singer Bob Dylan said is one of his favorites of all time appeared first on Rock and Roll Garage.