Happy 71st birthday Bob Dylan. I remember seeing you and Joan at Club 47 in Harvard Sq in the mid-60s when we were all young and adorable. I was never much of a fan because you were weren’t political enough for my tastes, but I must say I got a lot of good use out of your tune “Lay Lady Lay.”
For old times’ sake we went to see your very expensive concert in the Boston area a couple of years ago. The sound sucked big-time, the music was muddy – we couldn’t distinguish one song from another, you mostly kept your back to the audience, and you never addressed a single word to us. Everyone says, “Well that’s Bob. He’s moody.” That’s not the word I would use (more like arrogant prick), but I won’t argue on your birthday.
It’s hard to understand your life choice to perpetually tour when you seem to resent performing so much. You yourself have explained it this way: “A lot of people can't stand touring but to me it's like breathing. I do it because I'm driven to do it.”
My best Dylan experience by far happened at the home in Rome of my friend Sergio. He lived in a modernized ancient building (the one on the left in the photo) overlooking the Trevi Fountain. He suggested that we dine on his balcony while watching the Americans throw their coins in the water. I have something to play you, he said, and put on Time Out of Mind. It was definitely my favorite album of yours since the old days, despite your voice going down the crapper. Happy birthday – you’ve been in my life a very long time, for better or for worse.
Here’s a recording of Till I Fell in Love with You (Time Out of Mind)
Comments
"Arrogant prick" is about the size of it when you're talking Dylan. Although maybe that should be "Arrogant Genius Prick." But he's not the first (and won't be the last) great artist to keep performing WAY past his "sell-by date." (Case in point: Frank Sinatra.)Few performers can age with the grace and beauty of a Leonard Cohen.
What a strange birthday tribute! I agree with so much of what you say about him on the negative side, but how can one not celebrate the political poetry contained in and emotion engendered by so many of his early songs ("Hard Rain," "Masters of War," "Blowing in the Wind," just to mention the most obvious?
I just bought (on iTunes) the album 'Chimes of Freedom' of a long list of other musicians singing Dylan songs. Such a good songwriter - but I've always been someone who loved his singing too.
Friends, sorry I'm late in getting your comments up - I'm sick (and trying to write about that). Charles: "arrogant genius prick" (!) - I stand corrected and love that. Rita, it takes one to know one. Allen, yes, he's done some wonderful song-writing, but in the good ole days I identified as a revolutionary anarcho-feminist - and his was always a liberal non-ideological critique. And Sue, I also like his voice on a lot of his work (like Lay Lady Lay). Thanks all.
"Arrogant prick" is about the size of it when you're talking Dylan. Although maybe that should be "Arrogant Genius Prick." But he's not the first (and won't be the last) great artist to keep performing WAY past his "sell-by date." (Case in point: Frank Sinatra.)Few performers can age with the grace and beauty of a Leonard Cohen.
Posted by: Charles Coe | 24 May 2012 at 12:36
When you figure out what you really feel about him let us know!
Posted by: Rita Connolly | 24 May 2012 at 15:03
What a strange birthday tribute! I agree with so much of what you say about him on the negative side, but how can one not celebrate the political poetry contained in and emotion engendered by so many of his early songs ("Hard Rain," "Masters of War," "Blowing in the Wind," just to mention the most obvious?
Posted by: Allen Young | 24 May 2012 at 22:44
I just bought (on iTunes) the album 'Chimes of Freedom' of a long list of other musicians singing Dylan songs. Such a good songwriter - but I've always been someone who loved his singing too.
Posted by: suze | 25 May 2012 at 08:27
Friends, sorry I'm late in getting your comments up - I'm sick (and trying to write about that). Charles: "arrogant genius prick" (!) - I stand corrected and love that. Rita, it takes one to know one. Allen, yes, he's done some wonderful song-writing, but in the good ole days I identified as a revolutionary anarcho-feminist - and his was always a liberal non-ideological critique. And Sue, I also like his voice on a lot of his work (like Lay Lady Lay). Thanks all.
Posted by: Sue Katz | 25 May 2012 at 08:33