Judy Nash: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

And Other Songs Made Famous By Joan Baez, Sung By Judy Nash

[LP cover]

"Virgil Caine is the name and I drove on the band of train
Till so much cavalry came and tore off the tracks again"
--from Judy Nash's misinterpretation of "The Night The Drove Old Dixie Down"

1972 album with covers-of-Baez-covers from Ms. Nash. There are references to this album on several Dylan sites, but neither Google nor Wikipedia have any additional information about the singer's origin or career.

I love the title. Other songs that owe their inclusion to Joan Baez's definitive renditions, songs you would never otherwise have heard of, include "Battle Hymn of The Republic" (bet you'd never heard of that before Joan did it), "Let It Be" (by obscure British songwriters Lennon and McCartney) and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue," "Don't Think Twice It's All Right" and "Farewell Angelina" by an American songwriter, Bob Dylan. Bet you've never heard the originals of these either. But we all know Joan's versions. As the sleeve notes inform us, "This selection of numbers made famous by Joan has been recorded by Judy Nash as a genuine tribute to an artist of international calibre and importance, and not as a mere imitation. Both girls represent the true voice of concern and committment in the troubled and uneasy world of today" (Nigel Hunter) I paid 50p for this in a charity shop, and I have to say the vinyl looks mint. Unplayed probably. Nash turns in a... well, "bouncy" version of Dixie, and it's a bit like Chinese Whispers because not only does she follow Joan Baez's errors ("so much cavalry") with the lyrics, but adds a good few of her own. I thought some of her improvements especially inspired, like "I miss my wife in Tennessee" and replacing "Richmond it fell" with "Richmond la belle" giving it a Gallic twist. --Peter Viney

Tracks

Side One

1. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Robertson) (4.8 MB)
2. Farewell Angelina (Dylan)
3. Let It Be (Lennon-McCartney)
4. Joe Hill (Robinson - Hayes)
5. What Have They Done to the Rain? (Reynolds)
6. Plaisir D'Amour (Trad. Arr Stellard)

Side Two

1. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (Dylan)
2. Don't Think Twice It's All Right (Dylan)
3. Here's To You (Baez - Morricone)
4. Battle Hymn of the Republic (Howe- Arr Stellard)
5. Dona Dona Dona (Secunda- Zeitlin)
6. We Shall Overcome (Trad Arr Stellard)

Judy Nash - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - 1972 - Music for Pleasure MFP 50115