Audio Example 8.10:

"Blind Willie McTell," album take, opening

For the album take, Dylan's sole accompanist is Mark Knopfler on 12-string acoustic (perhaps an homage to the actual Blind Willie McTell, a 12-string virtuoso). The take is eerie and spare, as Dylan and Knopfler trade off gestures that keep the song's pulse going. Dylan's foot keeps time too.