Dig into the online ASCAP repertory and you’ll find some crazy stuff there. For example, the co-writers of “Beyond the Horizon,” a song released on Bob Dylan’s 2006 album, ‘Modern Times,” are listed as Robert Dylan, Wilhelm Groz (who wrote under the pseudonym of “Hugh Williams”), and James B. Kennedy.
We all know of “Robert” Dylan. The other two named are the authors of “Red Sails in the Sunset,” a popular classic from 1935. Both writers share 25% of “Beyond the Horizon” royalties, with the original publisher of “Red Sails” receiving another 25%.
“We would go in and listen to the old tunes, taking those grooves and modifying the licks… On some of the tunes he didn’t change the lick. He would look in the control room and say to his manager Jeff [Rosen], “What did you think of that?” He’d reply, “It’s really too close, Bob.” And Bob would say “Aw, **** it!” [laughs] So they paid for those and definitely had to give credit!”
~ David Bianco, recording engineer on the “Together Through Life” recording sessions, (Tape Op Magazine #104)
You wouldn’t learn about Groz and Kennedy from the “Modern Times”” album, nor would you learn anything about the source of “Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum” from 2001’s ‘Love and Theft.’ Fans with an interest in Dylanesque sources know that “Tweedle-Dee’s” music is lifted— nearly directly lifted — from a 1961 song called “Uncle John’s Bongos.” Although Johnnie & Jack’s cover version is better known, “Uncle John’s Bongos” was written by Charles C. Evans, Hal Culpepper, and Norman Blake and originally recorded by their group The Dixielanders slightly ahead of Johnnie & Jack.
But there’s no love or credits on ‘Love and Theft’ for those writers, nor for Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin; Carmen Lombardo; or Nathaniel Shilkret — all composers whose music would find its way onto ‘Love and Theft’ in various forms.
