This song was circling the ol' noggin this morning. Favorite lines: And the cards are no good that you're holding/ Unless they're from another world.
There's also this version with some nifty special effects.
It seems there's little middle ground with Dylan's work, either you're a fan or you're not. Ever since I saw Bob live in 1989 at Ithaca College with good friend Erik B, I've been a Dylan enthusiast. Which side of the Dylan fence are you on?
19 comments:
Dylan wrote some good music but his voice drives me batty.
I like Dylan. I like his voice, too. I think it's much more nuanced than many give him credit for—listen to Nashville Skyline then compare it to Blonde on Blonde...
One of my favorite songs is "Visions of Johanna" from Blonde on Blonde. Interestingly, that was the song Steely Dan's sound guys would often play (over and over) over the speakers before their shows in the early 1970s, giving rise to the line "All night long/We would sing that stupid song..." from the song "Doctor Wu." I don't think they really thought it was stupid, since Donald Fagen has cited Bob Dylan as a big influence on his approach to vocals (listen to Fagen's The Nightfly for a good example of his Dylan-isms.)
Another Dylan-related note. I've been playing Rock Band 2 on the Wii lately, and his "Tangled Up In Blue" is a BEAST to get through on the drums!
Charles, Way back when, his voice seemed a little rough but now I hardly even notice. As matter of fact I appreciate the depth his voice brings to the music.
Chris, I've listened to BLOOD ON THE TRACKS countless times and never get grow tired of it. There's an outtake called "Up to Me" that was on BIOGRAPH that's terrific. And "Visions of Johanna" is undeniably brilliant.
I've always been partial to "Knocking on Heaven's Door."
Don, Great song. I always think of Katy Jurado and Slim Pickens in that scene from Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.
I'm dating myself, but I've loved Dylan since the sixties. How could I not? Quinn the Eskimo...North Country Blues....
But I'd never seen him in concert until he did a show at Bethel Woods two years ago and I braved the traffic and bought my tickets along with a few thousand others. He ended with a fabulous version of All Along the Watchtower.
Another funny Bob moment, but it's a great song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YKhNrvUXN4
Lois, I bet that was a fantastic show for you. Bob puts on such an electric performance that I still remember elements of it twenty years later. And the best part is he's still going strong.
Erik, I think you and I were watching Soy Bomb that night. I remember thinking that was part of the show because Bob played it so cool.
Exactly in the middle.
While his music is excellent, his voice leaves a lot to be desired. Especially for his later work.
The man should just give up the ghost and stop singing. He should fine someone to sing his songs for him.
That being said, it's been tough for me to listen to him for any reasonable length of time, without singing along to his songs like him.
Don't get me wrong, I truly like Bob Dylan's music. I just happen to like it being done by others.
That also being said, for those who wish to have a decent sampler of his work, I suggest checking out "Biography". It's a very good overview of his early work through the mid 70's I believe. It still may be in print as CD box set (I have the original vinyl box) but it's well worth the money.
Georgie B, Technically he's not very good but I've always imagined him like a balladeer sitting around a campfire. And as I’ve mentioned, I’ve listened to Dylan for so long that I don’t even notice anymore. His best albums of the last twenty-five years in my humble opinion are: Biograph (1985), Oh Mercy (1989), Time Out of Mind (1997), Love and Theft (2001) and Modern Times (2006). And there’s the bootleg series which is an invaluable collection of outtakes and unreleased material.
Great song, thanks for posting it. I hadn't heard it before.
I continually have to explain my thoughts on Dylan to my friends because they are FANATICAL about him. I really like listening to his music, he has a great voice and really original style. And his influence can't be underestimated. But I personally don't feel any deep connection to it yet. Some of my favorite bands I know aren't as good as Dylan - but for some reason I have more memories attached to them.
All of this may change however - this time next year I may be completely obsessed with Dylan like all my friends.
I love Dylan - his latest albums - Love and Theft and Modern Times are truly awesome. It took me years to get into him as he always had this huge repitation but his voice wasn't musical enough for me. And the one day it just clicked with me - he's among my top ten faves now. Favourite Dylan LP - Blood on the Tracks.
Oh and has anyone listened to Bob's theme time radio hour. We get it on Radio 2 over here in the UK. Bob's got to be the most laid back DJ in history.
Damn - as soon as I hit send I think of something else. But Charles for some cool Dylan vocals check out the first Travelling Wilbury's LP
My favorite Dylan album is Bringing It All Back Home and the song Maggie's Farm. (Bono does a mean version of this tune himself.) Later in his career I like Dark Eyes from I think it is the Empire Burlesque album.
I will admit that his vocal work was pretty good when he did the Traveling Wilburys thing (thought volume 1 was much better than 3).
No matter how you slice it, love him or hate him, you do have to respect the man and his output.
Archavist, Same reaction for me. Before The Traveling Wilburys, I didn't get it and then "Tweeter and the Monkeyman", "Handle with Care", and my favorite, "Margarita", opened up a new world.
Diane, "Dark Eyes" is extraordinary but I prefer the outtake from this album called "Someone's got a hold of my heart."
Georgie B, Vol. 1 is better than 3. There's a box set that includes both albums plus all the outtakes.
Emma Peel!
Coltrane!
You ROCK big time, David!!
Aloha-
ps: and Dylan too....oy!
Cloudia, Thanks. I've been a big fan of all three for years.
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