Traditional / Arrangements Bob Dylan / 2:58 and 3:14
Musicians (New York)
Bob Dylan: vocals, guitar, harmonica
Al Kooper: guitar, piano (?)
David Bromberg: dobro
Stu Woods: bass
Alvin Rogers: drums
Hilda Harris, Albertine Robinson, and Maeretha Stewart: chorus
Musicians (Nashville)
Charlie Daniels: guitar
Kenny Buttrey: drums (?)
Recording Studios
Columbia Recording Studios / Studio B, New York: March 5, 1970; Columbia Recording Studios, Nashville: March 11 and April 3, 1970
Technical Team
Producer: Bob Johnston
Sound Engineers (New York): Don Puluse and Doug Pomeroy
Sound Engineer (Nashville): Neil Wilburn
According to ethnomusicologist Mary Wheeler, who transcribed a large number of ballads and blues songs in the first half of twentieth century, “Alberta” was originally a steamboat work song sung on the paddle boats plying the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. The folk and blues musician Leadbelly recorded the song in four versions in the 1930s and 1940s, opening the way for a large number of performers, including Bob Wilson, Burl Ives, Chad Mitchell, Odetta, Doc Watson, and even Eric Clapton, who performed the song on his famous Unplugged live album, released in 1992.
Bob Dylan may have heard “Alberta” during his first visits to the clubs of Greenwich Village in the early 1960s. One thing is certain: he was so strongly attracted to this lowdown blues song that he recorded three versions of it during the sessions for Self Portrait, two of which were kept for the same album. Each version was a success. It may be noted that since his discovery by Robert Johnson, Dylan had the blues at his fingertips. “Alberta #1” has a triple rhythm and is reminiscent of “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” and “Corrina, Corrina.” It distinguishes itself with an electric guitar solo, played by Al Kooper (or possibly by Charlie Daniels). Dylan sings in a casual tone with lots of feeling and plays some very good harmonica parts. The overdubs made in Nashville are not very clear. As mentioned previously, Kenny Buttrey may have played drums, but this is not verified.
“Alberta #2” is structurally better defined in a binary rhythm. The piano part is clearer and probably played by Al Kooper (as mentioned for “Alberta #3” in the booklet for The Bootleg Series Volume 10: Another Self Portrait). In both versions the dobro is played by David Bromberg and the female chorus reinforces the “roots” aspect of the music. “Alberta #2” concludes Self Portrait.