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Who Has Done The Best Cover of "All Along The Watchtower" (excluding Jimi Hendrix)?

"All Along The Watchtower" has been covered many, many times since Jimi Hendrix put his stamp on it. Except for Jimi's version, which is your favorite version of the song?

Here are some of my personal favorites.

Dave Matthews Band

Bryan Ferry

Indigo Girls

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tuco on March 23, 2012 at 2:02pm

I prefer Dylan's version. But I can't say which one I like the most, since he played this great song a thousand times in so many variations on stage.

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Permalink Reply by L A Johnson on March 23, 2012 at 3:37pm

Bryan Ferry ! stop it....schlock

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Permalink Reply by Brian Morris on March 23, 2012 at 3:41pm

I agree he's a big 80's ... but his cover ain't bad. For me, The Dave Matthews Band version takes the prize.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Williams on March 23, 2012 at 8:30pm

After Jimi's, I'd have to go with the original.

I seem to recall hearing a good version by Dave Mason maybe back in the '70s.

U2's version is one I really don't like, and I still like a lot of their stuff.

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Permalink Reply by Jack on March 29, 2012 at 11:28am

Jack, Dave Mason did record a version, have it on vinyl and recall it being passable, nothing remarkable.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Williams on March 29, 2012 at 11:51am

Thanks, Jack. I probably remember it fondly, albeit vaguely, because I was surprised that the "We Just Disagree" guy could rock. At that time, I didn't know that he had been the guitar player from Traffic.

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Permalink Reply by Jack on March 29, 2012 at 12:07pm

Had to look it up, but this cover was on "Dave Mason", which was a decent record as I recall. I enjoyed that one as well as Let It Flow and most of Mariposa de Oro. He had a good voice back then. Saw him live 3 or so years back. The voice was a bit worn, as you'd expect, but still good and it was an enjoyable set, albeit somewhat perfunctory.

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Permalink Reply by John Graveling on April 20, 2012 at 3:47am

Dave also covered it on his live album "Certified Live" released around 1976. He actually played on Hendrix version. Dave was hugely underrated despite his fame in Traffic and his debut solo album "Alone Together" is an absolute gem. His third album "Is Alive" recorded at the Troubadour is fantastic.

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Permalink Reply by John Graveling on April 21, 2012 at 5:26am

It should also be remembered that Dave was part of Delaney & Bonnie for a while and then was Eric's first choice to be in Derek & the Dominos before Duane came on the scene.