The Seldom Scene Breathes New Life Into Bob Dylan’s ‘Farewell, Angelina’

The Seldom Scene unveiled a cover of the Bob Dylan-penned classic “Farewell, Angelina.” The track is the second single from the legendary bluegrass outfit’s forthcoming studio album, Remains To Be Scene, which is set for release on March 14 through Smithsonian Folkways.

The self-produced Remains To Be Scene was engineered and mixed by Jim Robeson at his The Bar facility in Rockville, Maryland. Consisting of 11 tracks, the LP marks the final album for guitarist/vocalist Dudley Connell, who retired after a Seldom Scene tenure of nearly three decades at the end of 2024.

The Seldom Scene dedicated Remains To Be Scene to the memory of co-founder Ben Eldridge. The Bluegrass Hall of Famer retired from the band in 2014 and passed away last April. Eldrige wrote the liner notes for the LP before his death.

In addition to “Farewell, Angelina,” the legendary band also put their own spin on Dylan’s “Walking Down The Line” for Remains To Be Scene. Other interpretations featured on the upcoming record include takes on Jim Croce’s “A Good Time Man Like Me Ain’t Got No Business (Singin’ The Blues),” Flatt & Scruggs’ “Hard Travelin'” and The Kinks’ “Last Of The Steam-Powered Trains.” The latter was the album’s first single.

Bob Dylan originally recorded “Farewell, Angelina” during the sessions that yielded 1965’s Bringing It All Back Home but decided against including the song on the album. Joan Baez included her iconic version as the title track of her sixth album in late 1965. The Seldom Scene based their arrangement more on John Mellencamp’s cover of “Farewell, Angelina” from 1997’s Rough Harvest than the original.

“This song, written in 1964, is another gem by Bob Dylan,” explained Seldom Scene bassist Ronnie Simpkins, whose daughter encouraged the group to bring their sound to the song. “I’m glad we listened!”

Hear The Seldom Scene’s version of “Farewell, Angelina” below: