MVD Entertainment GroupA documentary about the making of the 2003 tribute album Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan will be rereleased on DVD and as a digital video on February 9 in honor of the record’s 15th anniversary. The Grammy-nominated album included new versions of songs that originally appeared on Dylan’s three gospel-influenced albums of the late 1970s and early ’80s recorded by some well-known gospel artists.
Among the artists featured on the Gotta Serve Somebody album and appearing in the film are Shirley Caesar, The Fairfield Four, Mighty Clouds of Joy and Dottie Peoples, as well as R&B great Aaron Neville and Dylan himself. The movie takes a behind-the-scenes look at the album’s recording sessions, while also examining the legendary singer/songwriter’s Christian-era releases — 1979’s Slow Train Coming, 1980’s Saved and 1981’s Shot of Love.
The documentary features interviews with the artists who contributed to the Gotta Serve Somebody album, as well as some of the musicians who played on those Dylan albums, including drummer Jim Keltner, guitarist Fred Tackett, keyboardist Spooner Oldham and backing singer Regina McCrary. The flick also features commentary by Slow Train Coming and Saved co-producer Jerry Wexler.
“This gospel music was Bob Dylan’s ultimate rebellion, and it took much more courage than strapping on an electric guitar,” says the movie’s producer, Jeff Gaskill.
The re-release of the Gotta Serve Somebody documentary follows the arrival this past November of the deluxe box set Trouble No More — The Bootleg Series Vol. 13 (1979-1981), a nine-disc package gathering together a plethora of rare and unreleased live and studio recordings from Dylan’s Christian era.
You can check out a trailer for the film on YouTube.
Here is the list of performances featured in the documentary:
“Every Grain of Sand” — Arlethia Lindsey
“When He Returns” — Bob Dylan
“Solid Rock” — Sounds of Blackness
“Gotta Serve Somebody” — Shirley Caesar
“I Believe in You” — Dottie Peoples
“Saving Grace” — Aaron Neville
“What Can I Do for You” — Helen Baylor
“Are You Ready” — The Fairfield Four
“In the Garden” — Great Day Chorale
“Saved” — Mighty Clouds of Joy
“Pressing On” — Chicago Mass Choir featuring Regina McCrary
“When He Returns” — Rance Allen
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