Bob Dylan / Robert Hunter / 3:37
Musicians: Bob Dylan: vocals, organ, guitar (?); Mike Campbell: guitar; David Hidalgo: guitar; Donnie Herron: steel guitar; Tony Garnier: upright bass; George G. Receli: drums / Recording Studio: Dave’s Room, Hollywood, California: October 2008 / Producer: Jack Frost (Bob Dylan) / Sound Engineer: David Bianco
Blues singer Robert Brown, known as Washboard Sam, recorded “Do That Shake Dance.” Mance Lipscomb recorded “Shake Shake Mama” on November 26, 1964, as his own composition (Conversation with the Blues by Paul Oliver, 1965). Dylan wrote his version in collaboration with Robert Hunter. There are no hidden meanings in this song. The intent is to come back to the core values of the blues. Paradoxically, Dylan has so far never performed “Shake Shake Mama” onstage. The songwriter makes no concessions while performing this pure blues song. No accordion, no violin, just musicians who sound like a garage band. Saturated guitars, hypnotic riff on slide, heavy drums, and Dylan delivering his vocal with a cracked voice—so authentic. With this simplicity in the interpretation and the depth of the groove, “Shake Shake Mama” is one of the best tracks on Together Through Life.