Bob Dylan

Pastor of Muppets · 09-12-2013, 10:41 AM

This is a long thread with 8 years worth of posts, so I haven't had a chance to go through and join in specific parts of the discussion yet. I'm new, gimme some time. But I did want to say that I went through a lot of it quickly and it actually looks like people know WTF they're talking about. Thank you for this.

I mention it because threads about Dylan in most places are filled with people making the same old "LULZ DYLAN CAN'T SING!" joke. It's so played out. And it's refreshing to see a lot of REAL fans who can debate his body of work, influence, etc in a friendly and non-aggressive manner. Thank you, everyone. You've given me a lot of hope today.

Lisnaholic · 09-13-2013, 05:56 PM

Welcome to MB, Pastor of Muppets. I like your user name and its link up to your avatar !

I´m glad you´ve enjoyed some bits of this 8-year thread. As a some-time contributor myself, it´s nice to read such a positive comment about it. As you may have noticed, though, the current reigning expert is undoubtedly Gavin B. His last post has all but got me convinced that Dylan shot a man named Grey and took his wife to Italy.

Nevertheless, I think enthusiasm trumps being well-informed in this thread - certainly, a lack of facts has never held me back. So, whenever you´re ready, do chip in with some more comments !

Mr. Charlie · 11-01-2013, 10:38 PM

The man's a magician.

voicess · 11-04-2013, 01:07 AM

Aha,he is always the biggest topic for folk.
I remember the feeling when I heard the song "I want you" for the first time.
I was totally fascinated with the music ,time just stopped...

Mr. Charlie · 11-04-2013, 10:47 AM

Yeah, when it comes to stopping time or transporting the listener to another place, he's unrivalled.

Gilmour Slash and Young · 12-15-2013, 12:37 AM

desolation row, you can't understand it but just know it's awesome

Moshe · 12-21-2013, 04:21 AM

Bob Dylan is an uneven artiste, I think, both on record & even more so on record.
But he was one of the greatest songwriter's of the 20th Century, and has had a profound influence on folk, rock & country music.
There are my favourite Dylan albums:
His debut, self titled album from 1962 contained only two Dylan originals, but is one of the great folk albums & the two Dylan songs on it, "Song To Woody" & "Talking New York Blues" are both good ones.
John Wesley Harding from 1967 is one of Dylan's all time best. Some great, sometimes obscure, song writing, delivered superbly. All acoustic, & with country closing track "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight".
"Nashville Skyline" from 1969 will always be a favourite, with a nice country vide & my personal fave "Tonight I'll be staying here with you"
"Self Portrait" from 1970 is often disregarded. But on this double album of covers, Dylans' voice had seldom sounded better.
"Desire" from 1976 is, I think Dylans' best from that decade. Wonderful musicianship, great production (often a weak point on Dylan albums) and some solid songs.
Not that much after that I'm interested in from Dylan. I saw him in concert at the Docklands arena some years back & I thought he was awful.
I would love to see Dylan, just acoustic guitar plus a few backing musicians, in a club situation.
Dylan never convinced me as a Rocker. It is his songwriting that sets him apart from the rest.
I have one Dylan bootleg. It is the sessions Dylan did with Johnny Cash. It is of historic interest- the two friends who so admired each other- singing a variety of well known songs in an informal atmosphere. But it is weak. I am not surprised that neither wanted to see it released.

Lisnaholic · 12-21-2013, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moshe

John Wesley Harding from 1967 is one of Dylan's all time best. Some great, sometimes obscure, song writing, delivered superbly. All acoustic, & with country closing track "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight".
"Nashville Skyline" from 1969 will always be a favourite, with a nice country vide & my personal fave "Tonight I'll be staying here with you"
"Self Portrait" from 1970 is often disregarded. But on this double album of covers, Dylans' voice had seldom sounded better.
"Desire" from 1976 is, I think Dylans' best from that decade. Wonderful musicianship, great production (often a weak point on Dylan albums) and some solid songs.

I agree about John Wesley Harding, and liked some of the softer numbers like Copper Kettle on Self Portrait, but overall that album is way too patchy for me. Have you listened to Another Self Portrait ? To me, it´s a much more consistent collection of songs.
Yes, Desire is wonderful, but the chronologically next, Street Legal is even more powerful imo.

Quote:

I would love to see Dylan, just acoustic guitar plus a few backing musicians, in a club situation.

^ Dream on, Moshe ! I don´t think he does that any more, but your comment reminded me of this. It´s from when I invited the guys around to my house in Athens one time:-

Moshe · 12-21-2013, 09:21 AM

Great clip!!
I wasn't that keen on "Street Legal", but loved (& still love) Desire.
I have not heard "Another self portrait". Was that a bootleg?

Lisnaholic · 12-21-2013, 09:39 AM

Thanks Moshe! Another Self Portrait is the latest release in the "official bootleg" series. It´s the best one in several years, imo; not just an exercise for completists, but a nice album with many "new" songs:-

09-13-2013, 05:56 PM	#642 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Welcome to MB, Pastor of Muppets. I like your user name and its link up to your avatar ! I´m glad you´ve enjoyed some bits of this 8-year thread. As a some-time contributor myself, it´s nice to read such a positive comment about it. As you may have noticed, though, the current reigning expert is undoubtedly Gavin B. His last post has all but got me convinced that Dylan shot a man named Grey and took his wife to Italy. Nevertheless, I think enthusiasm trumps being well-informed in this thread - certainly, a lack of facts has never held me back. So, whenever you´re ready, do chip in with some more comments ! __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

12-21-2013, 04:21 AM	#647 (permalink)
Moshe Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Posts: 165	Bob Dylan is an uneven artiste, I think, both on record & even more so on record. But he was one of the greatest songwriter's of the 20th Century, and has had a profound influence on folk, rock & country music. There are my favourite Dylan albums: His debut, self titled album from 1962 contained only two Dylan originals, but is one of the great folk albums & the two Dylan songs on it, "Song To Woody" & "Talking New York Blues" are both good ones. John Wesley Harding from 1967 is one of Dylan's all time best. Some great, sometimes obscure, song writing, delivered superbly. All acoustic, & with country closing track "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight". "Nashville Skyline" from 1969 will always be a favourite, with a nice country vide & my personal fave "Tonight I'll be staying here with you" "Self Portrait" from 1970 is often disregarded. But on this double album of covers, Dylans' voice had seldom sounded better. "Desire" from 1976 is, I think Dylans' best from that decade. Wonderful musicianship, great production (often a weak point on Dylan albums) and some solid songs. Not that much after that I'm interested in from Dylan. I saw him in concert at the Docklands arena some years back & I thought he was awful. I would love to see Dylan, just acoustic guitar plus a few backing musicians, in a club situation. Dylan never convinced me as a Rocker. It is his songwriting that sets him apart from the rest. I have one Dylan bootleg. It is the sessions Dylan did with Johnny Cash. It is of historic interest- the two friends who so admired each other- singing a variety of well known songs in an informal atmosphere. But it is weak. I am not surprised that neither wanted to see it released. __________________ http://moshe55.hubpages.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=...2962343424893- listen to & enjoy music!

12-21-2013, 09:21 AM	#649 (permalink)
Moshe Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Posts: 165	Great clip!! I wasn't that keen on "Street Legal", but loved (& still love) Desire. I have not heard "Another self portrait". Was that a bootleg? __________________ http://moshe55.hubpages.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=...2962343424893- listen to & enjoy music!

12-21-2013, 09:39 AM	#650 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Thanks Moshe! Another Self Portrait is the latest release in the "official bootleg" series. It´s the best one in several years, imo; not just an exercise for completists, but a nice album with many "new" songs:- __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

09-12-2013, 10:41 AM	#641 (permalink)
Pastor of Muppets Groupie Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 14	This is a long thread with 8 years worth of posts, so I haven't had a chance to go through and join in specific parts of the discussion yet. I'm new, gimme some time. But I did want to say that I went through a lot of it quickly and it actually looks like people know WTF they're talking about. Thank you for this. I mention it because threads about Dylan in most places are filled with people making the same old "LULZ DYLAN CAN'T SING!" joke. It's so played out. And it's refreshing to see a lot of REAL fans who can debate his body of work, influence, etc in a friendly and non-aggressive manner. Thank you, everyone. You've given me a lot of hope today.

11-01-2013, 10:38 PM	#643 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	The man's a magician.

11-04-2013, 01:07 AM	#644 (permalink)
voicess Groupie Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: China Posts: 4	Aha,he is always the biggest topic for folk. I remember the feeling when I heard the song "I want you" for the first time. I was totally fascinated with the music ,time just stopped...

11-04-2013, 10:47 AM	#645 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	Yeah, when it comes to stopping time or transporting the listener to another place, he's unrivalled.

12-15-2013, 12:37 AM	#646 (permalink)
Gilmour Slash and Young Groupie Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 2	desolation row, you can't understand it but just know it's awesome