George Jackson (song)
| "George Jackson" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Bob Dylan | ||||
| from the album Masterpieces | ||||
| A-side | George Jackson (Big Band version) | |||
| B-side | George Jackson (Acoustic version) | |||
| Released | November 12, 1971 | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Recorded | November 4, 1971, Columbia Studio B, New York City | |||
| Genre | Protest Song | |||
| Length | 5:38 (Big Band version) / 3:37 (Acoustic version) | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Writer(s) | Bob Dylan | |||
| Producer(s) | Bob Dylan | |||
| Bob Dylan discography chronology | ||||
| ||||
"George Jackson" is a song by Bob Dylan, written in 1971, in tribute to the Black Panther leader, George Jackson, who had been shot and killed by guards at San Quentin Prison on August 21, 1971, during an attempted escape from prison. The event indirectly provoked the Attica Prison riot.
Dylan recorded the song at Columbia Studio B, on November 4, 1971[1] and it was quickly released as a 45 rpm single, Columbia 4-45516, on November 12, 1971.[2] The single consisted of a "Big Band version" of the song on Side A and an "Acoustic version" on Side B.[3]
The song was a Top 40 hit in Canada,[4] the Netherlands,[5] and on the US Billboard charts.[6] The "Big Band version" was later included on the 1978 album Masterpieces, released in Japan and Australia. Both versions were available on iTunes as part of Bob Dylan: The Collection.[7] This package was removed from iTunes in December of 2009. The acoustic version is available on the Side Tracks double album, included in the box set Bob Dylan - The Complete Album Collection Vol.1, released in 2013.
The song was covered by Steel Pulse on their 2004 album, African Holocaust; the album 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 Dylan (guitar, harmonica, vocal)
- Kenneth Buttrey (drums)
- Ben Keith (steel guitar)
- Leon Russell (bass)
- Joshie Armstead (backing vocals)
- Rosie Hicks (backing vocals)
Acoustic Version:
- Bob Dylan (guitar, harmonica, vocal)[8]
Charts
| Chart (1971) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Singles Chart | 22[4] |
| Dutch Single Top 100 | 11[5] |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 33[6] |
Notes
- ↑ Heylin 2009, pp. 514–517
- ↑ "Still On the Road (the Bob Dylan Recording Sessions)" 1971
- ↑ "Searching for a Gem (rarities): Audio: 1971 - George Jackson"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Top Singles - Volume 16, No. 21–22, January 15, 1972
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bob Dylan – George Jackson (GfK Dutch Charts)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bob Dylan: Awards
- ↑ opens iTunes page
- ↑ "Still On the Road (the Bob Dylan Recording Sessions)" 1971
References
- "Bob Dylan: Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- "Bob Dylan – George Jackson" (in Dutch). GfK Dutch Charts. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- Heylin, Clinton (2009). Revolution In The Air: The Songs of Bob Dylan, Volume One: 1957–73 (2010 paperback ed.). Constable. ISBN 1-84901-296-2.
- "Top Singles - Volume 16, No. 21–22, January 15, 1972". RPM. 1971-08-21. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
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