by Moe Zilla

Created on: March 15, 2008   Last Updated: March 16, 2008

One of Bob Dylan's most overlooked albums is "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid," the soundtrack for a 1973 western directed by Sam Peckinpah. Dylan was in peak form, turning in some rare and evocative instrumentals, and he finds moving themes in the life of Billy the Kid. He also sings vocals on couple of amazing songs. And he's joined by top musicians, including Roger McGuinn and Booker T.

The song "Billy" opens with Dylan's trademark harmonica and a strumming guitar, a perfect fit for the story of a young outlaw. "There's guns across the river aiming at you," Dylan sings, adding that "They don't like you to be free." In the movie, the ruling land barons wanted the outlaw apprehended because he's bad for business. But Dylan's song finds a parallel between Billy's omnipresent danger and the persecution of the counterculture. The back cover even shows a handcuffed Billy the Kid grimacing on his knees as a sheriff pokes him with a rifle.

The album's most famous song is "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." But a similar melody appears earlier in the album as a gentle 90-second instrumental called "River theme." The famous song is just 150 seconds long, with eight lines of verse and a chorus that repeats the title four times, but the haunting melody makes the song unforgettable. The album's next track follows it with a strangely effective response, meandering through a similar chord structure for over five minutes in a major key. Identified as "Final theme," it includes Roger McGuinn's jangly guitar, with a wandering flute and even a cello. There's a chorus of three voices, but they don't say a word - simply moaning out a sad "oh."

The album includes two more versions of the song "Billy," but they include new lyrics and add something to the album. Dylan was a folk musician, and he now delivers his song like a posthumous ballad, his voice even more weary. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song about the approach of death, so it's appropriate that it's followed by lyrics of remembrance. "Gypsy queens will play your grand finale," Dylan sings. "Billy you're so far away from home."

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