When I Paint My Masterpiece
Encyclopedia
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" is a song written by Bob Dylan
and first featured on the Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II
compilation in 1971. The song is segue
d back-to-back with "Tomorrow is a Long Time
" (which is the song right before it on the album). Even though there is applause at the beginning of the song, it is in fact a studio recording. The audience noise is only fade-in from the previous song.
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" was also recorded by The Band
, who would release their version first on 1971's Cahoots album. Dylan and the Band would perform the song together at a New Year's Eve
concert later that year, a recording of which was released as a bonus track on the 2001 CD reissue of the Band's live Rock of Ages
album.
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" was also played by the Grateful Dead throughout the late 80s and till the band's end. The song was sometimes added to setlists as were several other Dylan songs which were covered even before the Dylan & The Dead Tour
was planned. Though Dead Guitar/Vocalist Bob Weir
sang lead on the song when it was played by the Grateful Dead
, Garcia was playing the song as early as 1972 with Merl Saunders
and John Kahn
, both who would become members of Jerry Garcia Band
. It remained with the Grateful Dead until Jerry Garcia
died in 1995, and continued with Bob Weir
's group Ratdog
.
Chris Whitley
recorded a blues version of the song for his last album, Dislocation Blues
released with Jeff Lang
in 2005.
The Band's cover was featured in the 2009 movie Observe and Report
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...
and first featured on the 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...
compilation in 1971. The song is segue
Segue
A segue is a smooth transition from one topic or section to the next.-In music:In music, segue is a direction to the performer. It means continue without a pause. It comes from the Italian "it follows". The term attacca is also used in classical music.For written music it implies a transition...
d back-to-back with "Tomorrow is a Long Time
Tomorrow Is a Long Time
"Tomorrow Is a Long Time" is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan. Dylan's version first appeared on the Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume II compilation, released in 1971...
" (which is the song right before it on the album). Even though there is applause at the beginning of the song, it is in fact a studio recording. The audience noise is only fade-in from the previous song.
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" was also recorded by The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
, who would release their version first on 1971's Cahoots album. Dylan and the Band would perform the song together at a New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
concert later that year, a recording of which was released as a bonus track on the 2001 CD reissue of the Band's live Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages (album)
-Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-2001 bonus disc track listing:-Personnel:* Rick Danko - vocal, bass, violin* Levon Helm - vocal, drums, mandolin* Garth Hudson - organ, piano, accordion, tenor saxophone and soprano saxophone solos...
album.
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" was also played by the Grateful Dead throughout the late 80s and till the band's end. The song was sometimes added to setlists as were several other Dylan songs which were covered even before the Dylan & The Dead Tour
Dylan & The Dead
Dylan & the Dead is a collaborative live album by Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, released in 1989 by Columbia Records. It consists of seven songs written and sung by Dylan, with the Dead providing accompaniment. The album was produced by Jerry Garcia and John Cutler.Dylan & the Dead was...
was planned. Though Dead Guitar/Vocalist Bob Weir
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
sang lead on the song when it was played by the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
, Garcia was playing the song as early as 1972 with Merl Saunders
Merl Saunders
Merl Saunders, was an American multi-genre musician who played piano and keyboards, favoring the Hammond B-3 console organ.-Biography:...
and John Kahn
John Kahn
John Kahn was an American rock bass player. For a period of about twenty five years Kahn was Jerry Garcia's principal collaborator outside of the Grateful Dead.-Biography:...
, both who would become members of Jerry Garcia Band
Jerry Garcia Band
The Jerry Garcia Band was a San Francisco Bay Area rock band led by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Garcia founded the band in 1975; it remained the most important of his various side-projects until his death in 1995...
. It remained with the Grateful Dead until Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia
Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...
died in 1995, and continued with Bob Weir
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
's group Ratdog
Ratdog
RatDog , is an American rock band. The group began as a side project for Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bob Weir and bassist Rob Wasserman. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in December 1995, following the death of Jerry Garcia on August 9, 1995, RatDog became Bob Weir's primary band...
.
Chris Whitley
Chris Whitley
Christopher Becker Whitley was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Whitley changed his sound frequently, and achieved modest mainstream success while maintaining a small but devoted following...
recorded a blues version of the song for his last album, Dislocation Blues
Dislocation Blues
Dislocation Blues is a collaboration between singer-songwriters and guitarists, Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang.Jeff Lang produced, co-wrote, co-mixed, and played on the album. It was recorded live by Mick Wordley at Adelphia Studios in Melbourne, Australia...
released with Jeff Lang
Jeff Lang
Jeff Lang is an Australian songwriter, singer and slide guitarist. A leading performer in the Australian roots music scene and purveyer of his self-described "disturbed folk" style, which incorporates primarily folk, blues and rock...
in 2005.
The Band's cover was featured in the 2009 movie Observe and Report
Observe and Report
Observe and Report is a 2009 American comedy film written and directed by Jody Hill, starring Seth Rogen, Anna Faris and Ray Liotta.-Plot:...