Freight Train Blues by Bob Dylan (Roy Acuff)

Is this song a rabid, random collection of rapid-fire harmonica notes, or is there some design to the scattered staccato notes? You decide. This is from Bob Dylan's first album. I used to know this song better (when my wind was much better), but am resurrecting it 25 years later and trying to re-learn it. Here is the result. I also show some of the guitar and harmonica tips behind the song. I checked at http://dylanchords.info and Dylan did, in fact, play this song in the Key of C (factoid for you particular musicologists out there). Played by Keith Johnson. Check out http://www.celticcatprairiedog for more on my other musical pursuits.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Freight
• Train
• Blues
• guitar
• harmonica
• Bob
• Dylan
• Folk
• music
• Roy
• Acuff

[ricoadventuravideos]

i like your video and the harmonica and the guitar arent a problem its not your voice either.your voice is perfect for this type of music what I think is missing isconfidence you need to get drunk and pissed off about it all......feel it man..to worrying about the harmonica and the guitar...try making his video again wthout explanation late at night away from your family forget about the camera and be vulnerable..you cant hide! god is with you..your good we know your ood but do you?

[guitarmandoguy]

Hey, thanks for the sage words of advice, and even encouragement. Yes, I have a very reserved streak that inhibits some authentic playing, and a solid dose of self-consciousness that I'm only too aware of . . . so your assessment is dead on. I will take your advice and give this "Freight Train Blues" song (and a few others) a more ornery, authentic try. Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Yours is one of the most interesting comments I've received. Thanks for the coaching.

[utubbombz]

where can i find the notes for this song on harmonica?

[guitarmandoguy]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, I agree . . . the singing is too restrained for this (or any) particular Dylan song. I might try another take on this song someday, maybe not on the front porch where the neighbors might be wondering what the heck I'm doing yodeling and screaming and banging.

[hexRQP]

killer.

[guitarmandoguy]

thanks . . . a lot (dang, I wanted to match your one-word comment, but couldn't).

[AMIIZix]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[thepumpdontwork]

Well I had my speak, but just to add my friend thanks for sharing this with us. It's real, it's rich, it's awesome. You are a Tambourine Man no doubt :)

[thepumpdontwork]

@ricoadventuravideos u come across as a real patronising asshole if u don't mind my saying. Let's see ur version. As well as offering a psuedo-psychiatric diagnoses on this fine chap's character on the basis of a short clip, you go on to tell him how to shoot the damn video. What arrogance .

[1111blacksheep1111]

Excellent. Just excellent. You covered that very well. How many different chords are in that song?

[alllanggg]

great work, I tried learning this song a couple weeks ago but I didn't have any resources.

[klair90]

roy acuff nor bob dylan wrote this song...it was my grandfather John Lair that wrote this and is has gotten lost in history...thanks for this version

[Gymnophoria1]

I LOVE HOW YOU FIND INSPIRATION @ 2:00 !

[ricoadventuravideos]

one of the issues i think a lot of country folk singers run into is that the moment you play with a harmonica and guitar at the same time people expect dylan covers..so if yor not playing dylan its kind of like you arent doing your job.so what do we do learn dylan..but the problem with singing dylan is that he is very unique and all the music snobs love him..so if it isnt close its off..butif you hit it..well ak bruce sprinsting,lou reed,dire straits mick jagger ..about their problems copying