Video: Neil Young’s Many Versions of ‘All Along the Watchtower ‘

Neil Young has long been a fan of Bob Dylan. More than a fan. Neil’s whole trip is inspired by Bob Dylan.

Don’t misunderstand. Young has taken that inspiration and created his own art that is unique.

Young has performed a number of Dylan songs over the years, most recently “Blowin’ in the Wind” at Farm Aid last year and during his recent acoustic shows.

Below are a number of totally rockin’ versions of “All Along the Watchtower.”

Dylan’s 30th Anniversary Concert, Oct 16, 1992:


Neil Young – All Along the Watchtower by LeBalayeur

Tanzbrunnen, Köln, Germany, July 19, 1993 w/ Booker T And The MGs:

Neil Young, Torhout Festival, Belgium, 1993:

Neil Young, Willie Nelson and Crazy Horse at Farm Aid concert in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 18, 1994:

Neil Young with Frank “Poncho” Sampedro and Booker T & the MGs in Nürburg, Germany, on May 18, 2002.

Rock in the Ring, Germany with Poncho, Booker T. & The MGs, 2002:

Bruce Springsteen & Neil Young. Minneapolis, 2004:

Neil Young & Pearl Jam from the Vote for Change Tour 2004:

-– A Days of the Crazy-Wild blog post: sounds, visuals and/or news –-

About Michael Goldberg

Michael Goldberg is a distinguished pioneer in the online music space; Newsweek magazine called him an ‘Internet visionary.’ In 1994 he founded Addicted To Noise (ATN), the highly influential music web site. He was a senior vice-president and editor in chief at SonicNet from March 1997 through May 2000. In 1997, Addicted To Noise won Webby awards for best music site in 1998 and 1999, and also won Yahoo Internet Life! awards for three years running as best music site in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Prior to starting Addicted To Noise, Goldberg was an editor and senior writer at Rolling Stone magazine for 10 years. His writing has also appeared in Wired, Esquire, Vibe, Details, Downbeat, NME and numerous other publications. Michael has had three novels published that comprise the "Freak Scene Dream trilogy": "True Love Scars," "The Flowers Lied" and "Untitled" which can be ordered here. His new book, "Wicked Game: The True Story of Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey," can be pre-ordered from HoZac Books. In November Backbeat Books will publish "Addicted To Noise: The Music Writings of Michael Goldberg," which can be be pre-ordered here.

4 thoughts on “Video: Neil Young’s Many Versions of ‘All Along the Watchtower ‘

  1. Nice compilation of videos. Thanks for pulling together.
    Pretty astonishing the range of years and depth of bands.

    It would be an interesting exercise from the Dylan side. Dylan’s covered Old Man several times but it seems to have been in a short window tho.

  2. Its all the asme version, not only that he hasn t really changed it much from Dylans version. Yu need to be tallented to do a new version of an old song. Maybe change the rythem, and tempo, add a chord or change a chord, put the emphasis on an other part. Niel Young isn t a tallented performer, he is too loud and too much of a strummer.

    1. 1) Learn to spell
      2) Young’s version is iconic and very different from Dylan’s.
      3) You should resist commenting on something you know nothing about.

      What do you mean by “he’s too much of a strummer”? Rhythm is what guitarists play when singing or backing others. His lead playing utilizes no “strumming”.

  3. I can see how perhaps Neil hasn’t done much with original, but if it ain’t broke why fix it? He delivers a raw and loud version, which is exactly what I’d like to hear from much of his material; be they solo or with Crazy Horse he always delivers. He can still shine vocally and musically. Perhaps have a listen to the live ‘BBC Sessions’ on youtube and the live ‘Weld’ album to hear his dramatic and powerful ability where he’s in full of control of creating a contrast between heavy and delicate sounds.

Leave a Reply