This recently released new version of Dylan’s classic song was issued to mark 80 years since 16th July 1945 when the world’s first nuclear bomb was detonated in New Mexico at 5:29 am. Kronos Quartet produced two versions, one which used a bed of droning strings and harmonium which was topped by spoken word performances of Dylan’s poetic lyrics by a number of performers including Willie Nelson and Ringo Starr.
The other version of ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall‘ on the double A-side release is a striking rendition to Dylan’s original with, in order of appearance, singers including Allison Russell; Iggy Pop; Satomi Matsuzaki (Deerhoof); Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields); Tanya Tagaq; Dai Wei; Gustavo Santaolalla; Laurie Anderson; Asha Bhosle; Slowspin; Zanai Bhosle (Asha’s granddaughter); Peni Candra Rini; Sara Parkman; Lollise; and Willie Nelson trade lines. They are supported by buoyant strings, performed by Kronos Quartet, members of Belle & Sebastian, Patti Smith Group, and Deerhoof. A backing Brooklyn artist choir made up of Arthur Moon; Frankie Cosmos; Constant Smiles; Raia Was; Anjali Rose; Lou Tides; Xenia Rubinos; Taraka Larson.
The leader of Kronos Quartet, David Harrington said of the project: “Owen Gaffney of the Nobel Prize Outreach invited Kronos to reimagine ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’ to mark 80 years since the Trinity Test of July 16, the bombing of Hiroshima August 6 and Nagasaki Aug. 9, 1945. That invitation set into motion a chain reaction of effort unique in our work. Kronos performed in Stockholm’s R1 KTH Reaktor Hall. We tried to make a unified musical/scientific response to the danger we all face. That performance on May 10, 2025, a safer time, led to today and the release of ‘Hard Rain’, two new versions of Bob Dylan’s classic to show its power and contemporary relevance.”
