George Jackson (song)
Encyclopedia
"George Jackson" is a song by Bob Dylan
, written in 1971, in tribute to the Black Panther
leader, George Jackson
, who had been recently shot and killed by guards at San Quentin Prison on August 21, 1971, an event that indirectly provoked the Attica Prison riot. Dylan's lyrics clearly identify the George Jackson of his song with the Black Panther leader by citing biographical details such as his being "sent [...] off to prison / For a seventy-dollar robbery" where "They [...] shot him through the head".
Dylan recorded the song on November 4, 1971, and it was quickly released as a 45 rpm single, Columbia 4-45516, on November 12, 1971. The single consisted of a "Big Band version" of the song on Side A and an "Acoustic version" on Side B.
The single reached number 33 on the Billboard charts. The "Big Band version" was later included on the 1978 album Masterpieces
, released in Japan and Australia. Both versions are currently available on iTunes as part of Bob Dylan: The Collection
. This package was removed from iTunes in December of 2009.
Considered within the chronology of Dylan's work
, the song "George Jackson" is of special significance, because, along with the single "Watching the River Flow
," it represents the only wholly new work to appear from Dylan in the years 1971-72, the period between the albums New Morning
(1970) and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973). From the time of the appearance of his first album in 1962 until the 1990s, this was the longest period that Dylan would go without releasing an album of new material (although he made several new recordings of older songs to be released for the first time in a Dylan performance on 1971's Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II
). Along with the speed with which the song was written, recorded and released following the death of Jackson, its appearance in an otherwise creatively fallow period (as implied by the lyrics of "Watching the River Flow") suggests that Dylan was passionately motivated by this subject.
The song was covered by Steel Pulse
on their 2004 album, African Holocaust
, which also included an updated version of their own song 'Uncle George', which was also in tribute to George Jackson.
Acoustic Version:
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, written in 1971, in tribute to the Black Panther
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
leader, George Jackson
George Jackson (Black Panther)
George Lester Jackson was an American convict who became a left-wing activist, Marxist, author, a member of the Black Panther Party, and co-founder of the Black Guerrilla Family prison gang...
, who had been recently shot and killed by guards at San Quentin Prison on August 21, 1971, an event that indirectly provoked the Attica Prison riot. Dylan's lyrics clearly identify the George Jackson of his song with the Black Panther leader by citing biographical details such as his being "sent [...] off to prison / For a seventy-dollar robbery" where "They [...] shot him through the head".
Dylan recorded the song on November 4, 1971, and it was quickly released as a 45 rpm single, Columbia 4-45516, on November 12, 1971. The single consisted of a "Big Band version" of the song on Side A and an "Acoustic version" on Side B.
The single reached number 33 on the Billboard charts. The "Big Band version" was later included on the 1978 album Masterpieces
Masterpieces
Masterpieces is a compilation album by Bob Dylan. The 3-LP set was released in Japan and Australia in anticipation of his 1978 tour. Primarily a greatest hits collection spanning Dylan's career up that point, the album features three previously unreleased tracks, including "Rita May", "George...
, released in Japan and Australia. Both versions are currently available on iTunes as part of Bob Dylan: The Collection
Bob Dylan: The Collection
Bob Dylan: the Collection was the fourth iTunes complete digital album, following The Complete U2, The Complete Stevie Wonder, and The Complete Depeche Mode. It came with 763 songs and a 100-page digital booklet. The price was only $199.99, although iTunes usually charges $0.99 per song. This...
. This package was removed from iTunes in December of 2009.
Considered within the chronology of Dylan's work
Bob Dylan discography
This is a discography for American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It lists thirty-four studio albums, fifty-eight singles, thirteen live albums, nine albums comprising The Bootleg Series, and fourteen compilation albums. The list also includes three home videos, a bibliography, and a...
, the song "George Jackson" is of special significance, because, along with the single "Watching the River Flow
Watching the River Flow
"Watching the River Flow" is a blues song by Bob Dylan that was first released as an independent single. It was recorded during the March 16–18 sessions at the Blue Rock Studios in New York City, and was produced by Leon Russell. The recording was first issued as a single on June 3, 1971, backed...
," it represents the only wholly new work to appear from Dylan in the years 1971-72, the period between the albums New Morning
New Morning
New Morning is singer-songwriter Bob Dylan's 11th studio album, released by Columbia Records in October 1970.Coming only four months after the controversial Self Portrait, the more concise and immediate New Morning won a much warmer reception from fans and critics. Most welcome was the return of...
(1970) and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973). From the time of the appearance of his first album in 1962 until the 1990s, this was the longest period that Dylan would go without releasing an album of new material (although he made several new recordings of older songs to be released for the first time in a Dylan performance on 1971's Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II
Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II
Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II , also known as More Bob Dylan Greatest Hits, was the second compilation album released by Bob Dylan. With Dylan not expected to release any new material for an extended period of time, CBS Records president Clive Davis proposed issuing a double LP compilation of...
). Along with the speed with which the song was written, recorded and released following the death of Jackson, its appearance in an otherwise creatively fallow period (as implied by the lyrics of "Watching the River Flow") suggests that Dylan was passionately motivated by this subject.
The song was covered by Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse is a roots reggae musical band. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, in Birmingham, England, composed of David Hinds , Basil Gabbidon , and Ronald McQueen .-History:...
on their 2004 album, African Holocaust
African Holocaust
African Holocaust is a reggae album released by Steel Pulse in July 2004. It is Steel Pulse's most recent studio album and their eleventh overall. At the time of this album, the band was down to only two founding members, lead guitarist and vocalist David Hinds and keyboardist and backup vocalist...
, which also included an updated version of their own song 'Uncle George', which was also in tribute to George Jackson.
Personnel
Big Band Version:- Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
(guitar, harmonica, vocal) - Kenneth Buttrey (drums)
- Ben KeithBen KeithBennett Keith Schaeufele , better known by his stage name Ben Keith, was an American musician and record producer...
(steel guitar) - Leon RussellLeon RussellClaude Russell Bridges , known professionally as Leon Russell, is an American musician and songwriter, who has recorded as a session musician, sideman, and maintained a solo career in music....
(bass) - Joshie Armstead (backing vocals)
- Rosie Hicks (backing vocals)
Acoustic Version:
- Bob Dylan (guitar, harmonica, vocal)