Boots Of Spanish Leather Article Index for
Boots
Website Links For
Boots
 

Information About

Boots Of Spanish Leather




Musically, this song consists of Dylan alone on the ming. "Boots of Spanish Leather" is played, in the officially released studio recording, in the key of Ab Major ; Dylan probably effects this key by using a Capo on the first Fret and positioning his fingers as if he were playing G Major . The dominant notes in the guitar part seem to be what on a Piano is called " Middle C ," which in this song is the Major Third in the Tonic Chord ; and the D-flat immediately above "Middle C," which is the Perfect Fourth ; with the top note at any point in the song rotating between these two notes.

Lyrically, "Boots of Spanish Leather" is "a restless, forlorn ballad for the ages and sages-a classic Dylan tale of two lovers, a crossroads, and the open sea..." (Trager 80). Most critics have not found it far-fetched to say that this song was written about and maybe to song "Blackjack Davey," which Dylan arranged and recorded for his 1992 album '' Good As I Been To You '', and in which footwear of Spanish leather also plays a significant role (Gray 657).

Of note is this song's inclusion in the '' Norton Anthology of Poetry, 5th edition'', in the section titled "Popular Ballads of the 20th Century." Also of note, at least to Dylan fans, is that this is the ''only'' Dylan work in the ''Anthology''.

Though performed live here and there since its composition, Dylan did not start performing "Boots of Spanish Leather" regularly until his Never Ending Tour began in 1988 .


COVERS

"Boots of Spanish Leather" has been covered by many musicians, including:
  • Linda Mason : ''How Many Sead Must a White Dove Sail'' (1964)

  • (1968), ''Vanguard Sessions: Baez Sings Dylan'' (1998)

  • Golden Gate Strings : ''Bob Dylan Songbook'' (1965)

  • Richie Havens : ''Electric Haven'' (1966)

  • Sebastian Cabot : ''Sebastian Cabot, Actor-Bob Dylan, Poet'' (1967)

  • Dan McCafferty : ''Dan McCafferty'' (1975)

  • Nanci Griffith : ''Other Voices, Other Rooms'' (1993), ''Winter Marquee'' (2002)

  • Dubliners : ''30 Years A-Greying'' (1994)

  • Seldom Scene : ''Scene It All'' (2000)

  • Michel Montecrossa : ''Born in Time'' (2000)

  • Michael Moore : ''Jewels and Binoculars'' (2000)

  • Various Artists (performed by Ida ): ''A Tribute to Bob Dylan, Volume 3: The Times They Are A-Changin''' (2000)

  • Various Artists (performed by Martin Simpson ): ''A Nod to Bob'' (2001)

  • (2001)

  • Gerry Murphy : ''Gerry Murphy Sings Bob Dylan'' (2002)

  • Various Artists (performed by Robert Deeble): ''May Your Song Always Be Sung: The Songs of Bob Dylan, Volume 3'' (2003)



REFERENCES

  • Bob Dylan's official page . Retrieved 03/15/2006.

  • Gray, Michael. ''Song & Dance Man III: The Art of Bob Dylan''. Continuum, 2000.

  • Trager, Oliver. ''Keys to the Rain: The Definitive Bob Dylan Encyclopedia''. Billboard Books, 2004.



EXTERNAL LINKS