Barb Jungr and her Trio featuring Simon Wallace: Hallelujah On Desolation Row: The Songs of Bob Dylan & Leonard Cohen

In 1984, Barb Jungr's first album Bouquet of Barbs (Magnet) was released soon after she had turned thirty; she was credited with writing eight of that album's twelve tracks. In 2025, Jungr's album Hallelujah On Desolation Row: The Songs of Bob Dylan & Leonard Cohen was released. Needless to say, Jungr did not write any of the tracks on this album, though some people may be taken aback by the album's subtitle and argue that it only contains some of Dylan's and Cohen's songs. The full story of Jungr, Dylan and Cohen goes back to 2002. In that year Jungr's album Every Grain Of Sand (Linn) was released, her first album comprised completely of Bob Dylan compositions. In that album's sleeve notes, Jungr recounted how, eighteen months before, a voice came to her as clear as a bell and said, "You must sing the songs of Bob Dylan." Jungr added that when a voice comes out of the blue like that she does as she is told; sure enough, that album was excellent, with every track being riveting.

After Every Grain of Sand Jungr did not rush to record another album of Dylan compositions, instead including occasional Dylan songs in her albums; so, Waterloo Sunset (Linn, 2003) included "Like a Rolling Stone," Love Me Tender (Linn, 2005), her tribute to Elvis Presley included Dylan's "I Shall Be Released," and "Tomorrow is a Long Time," while Just Like a Woman (Hymn to Nina) (Linn, 2008), a tribute to Nina Simone, included "Just Like a Woman," "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and "Ballad of Hollis Brown." In 2009, The Men I Love (Naum) an album of songs by American male songwriters, was significant as it featured "Night Come On " by Leonard Cohen and "You Ain't Going Nowhere" by Dylan together.

In 2011 Jungr's second album of Dylan songs was released, entitled The Man In the Long Black Coat (Linn). It matched the high standards set by the first one. More radical was the 2014 release Hard Rain (The Songs of Bob Dylan & Leonard Cohen) (Krystalin Records) which demonstrated that the songs of Dylan and Cohen could comfortably sit side by side when in Jungr's hands. All of which brings us to the second album featuring Dylan and Cohen compositions side by side, Hallelujah On Desolation Row. Jungr herself feels that it is one of her best albums if not the very best. One of the contributing factors is that the trio which accompanies her vocals gives her ample time and space to be heard. As the YouTube clip below demonstrates, all concerned were relaxed and laid back, and that can be heard throughout.

For decades Jungr has been involved in a range of activities other than touring and recording. For example, she has presented, written, and researched many programs for national BBC radio. She has written lots of works for the stage, particularly for children. Fittingly, in July 2024 she curated the three-day Visions of Dylan festival at Farnham Maltings which included a live performance by Jungr as well as rising star Jo Harrop. With such activities and more, it is easy to think that Jungr might fade away. However, on the evidence of her latest album, we must hope it will not be her last.

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