Bob Dylan / 5:14
Musicians: Bob Dylan: vocals, organ; Charlie Sexton: guitar; Stu Kimball: guitar; David Hidalgo: accordion; Donnie Herron: steel guitar (?); Tony Garnier: upright bass; George G. Receli: drums, maracas / Recording Studio: Groove Masters, Santa Monica, California: January–March 2012 / Producer: Jack Frost (Bob Dylan) / Sound Engineer: Scott Litt
At first glance, the reference to “early Roman kings” could refer to ancient Rome (before the Republic). In this context, the “Roman kings” was a nickname given to a gang in the Bronx, New York, during the 1960s and 1970s. Like other gangs, they piqued the curiosity of some artists.
From a musical standpoint, “Early Roman Kings” is a blues classic in the style of “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters or even “Hoochie Coochie Man” by Willie Dixon. The difference, however, between “Early Roman Kings” and these two Chicago blues standards is the accordion, which here replaces the harmonica. The sound is reminiscent of the album Together Through Life, on which David Hidalgo was omnipresent. Although well made, “Early Roman Kings” lacks aggressiveness. The arrangements are too smooth. The whole piece “floats” a little despite the maracas (Receli?); it’s very “Bo Diddley” in style. Dylan’s vocal is timid. A wilder intonation, as on some songs of Christmas in the Heart in 2009, might have been better.