Bob Dylan

[Nolan Dalla]

ANDERS wrote:

Nolan - I think it is just you. Music ain't what it used to be to you - and me too - because it doesn't alert in you the passion and fire like it used too. You know why that is? Because, friend, we're getting old and have other things that dominate our life.

REPLY:

A fair criticism, Anders -- but not really true. Face it, music is so mechanical now, that talent is the LEAST important aspect of selling an album. Just let the girl show her tits and ass, and she miraculously becomes an "artist." That's not music. What's now at the top of the charts is not the END RESULTS of years of toil and hardship, the reward of playing sets in shit clubs until they were finaly "discovered." Now, kids are groomed to be stars. Pre-packaged and sold like beer or tires according to marketing surveys.

This has nothig to do with age (I just turned 40). I was never a fan of the grunge sound out of Seattle, but at least that music was real and reflected inner angst and the times an sentiment in whic it was written. There ae still some decent bands (call me decadent, but I like Creed)...but they are few and far between. Rock is dead. Now, it's hip hop and boy bands. Christ, give me back my 8-track tapes.

-- Nolan

 

[Anders]

Fair reply too, Nolan.

There does seem to be a surfeit of "manufactured product" flooding the market.

But let's not forget 'made-to-measure' artists and groups are nothing new. Problem is - Tin Pan Alley and the Brill Building churned out stuff that has/will last a tad longer than Britney and the Backstreet Boys.

The upshot of this may be positive though - the best Punk and Rap material were born out of despair, depression and determination

 

[Nolan Dalla]

The upshot of this may be positive though - the best Punk and Rap material were born out of despair, depression and determination [/B]

Great quote, Anders. Just as believe rock n'roll is all about REVOLUTION. It's Allen Ginsberg set to music. It's about not trusting authority. It's abou charting a new both and not giving a flying fuck what the rest of the world thinks. But that's what's been lost in today's "music." So much of it is about image. Tits and ass. A real songwriter -- Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel -- wouldn't have a chance in today's market. The door would be slammed in their faces. That's DEEPLY troubling to me...it means you and I are DEPRIVED of hearing what I'm sure is some great stuff. I know I always get worked up about these things and people may laugh, but it's criminal what going on with the music industry. The quality and intelligence of the product is the LEAST important thing. Can you imagine "Who Let the Dogs Out" being recorded in 1970? It wouldn't have even gotten out of he studio.
In 2002, it becomes a #! hit.

I rest my case,

Respectfully,

Nolan Dalla

 

[g-hawg]

Hellah; You must listen to "Like a Rolling Stone". My hands down favorite Dylan tune. And if you really want to listen to some really good stuff that is heavy check out, Miles Davis' album "Bitches Brew" That one will really show you what a musical genius is.

 

[ferdville]

Bob Dylan, probably the most prolific songwriter of our time, is not to be digested in one gulp. It requires a long look to truly appreciate the man I would vote as the most influential of all time. The list of songs he has written for himself and others boggles the mind. If you have ever had a love gone bad, how can you listen to "Positively 4th Street" or "Like A Rolling Stone" without standing up and screaming or crying? Dylan's versatility is unlike any other. He can take his songs and twist them into new shapes and forms every few years. There must be 4 or 5 different versions of "Rolling Stone" around - same lyrics, just delivered in a different way. If you see him in concert, you will also hear one of the best bands around. Give "Zimmy" a good, long look and you will learn to like him. His 60's stuff is, for the most part, applicable today. Watching and hearing his writing and sound evolve for 40 plus years is incredible. I could list lyrics for at least 10 of his songs that are better examples of poetry than most of the classical poetry delivered in school today. Take the time to listen - you won't be disappointed.

 

[Billy]

a lot of deadheads out there who are religous about the Greatful
Dead, but the badasses that came out of my generation were
Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison, (Janis was'nt bad
either), but to really appreciate these lyrical and musical genesis
minds, you have to have BEEN THERE............LIVED THRU VIET N.
LIVED THRU CHOC. MES......YELLOW SUNSHINE...HASHISH...COKE..
OPMIUM....Bob Dylan was and is the ulitimate, I can't even fathom
trying to direct you to his BEST songs..........if you have followed
him for almost 40 years like I have.........you will have a clue....
and yes hellah, smoke some rope and LISTEN.........the lyrics
will blow you away.............

 

[wondo]

Blue Moon was on "Self-Portrait" I'm not sure if he wrote it or if its another traditional song.... also on that album is his duet with Paul Simon doing "The Boxer."



Speaking of the Dead, I like the Dylan and the Dead album and particularly "I Want You" Kind of an interesting style that he applied to it there. I guess that's one of my favorite Dylan songs in a number of variations.

One of the best songs lyric-wise is "Hard Rains A'Gonna Fall" Quite graphic and powerful. I believe its from his second album.

Anyone have "Dylan" on CD? I haven't found it anywhere. Got the tape, but not sure if they make it on CD. It's the only one (sanctioned albums) missing from my collection, aside from the many bootlegs.

 

[SeattleSlew]

Download "Tangled Up In Blue"

Dylan is a song-writer, whose lyrics are at times equivocal (to say the least). Most people just don't like music that makes them "think." They want catchy, they want flashy. They want to pull into the drive-thru at McDonald's and order their favorite combo meal. Fast-food, fast-music....

As Joker said on Batman, as he tore through Vicki Vale's portfolio - "CRAP, crap, crap, crap, crap....."

That's what I feel about today's music.....and I am 26 years old.

SLEW

 

[Patternseeker]

to my young friend up north who understand the marshall mac deal

to my young friend up north who understand the marshall mac deal

dude, you may never grow to like him.

but he's done so many good songs, songs whose lyrics are true to the human condition ( or should i say at least my condition ) that its amazing. he's a treasure in my book. he's on my cd about 1 in 3 discs.

all the best.

 

[hellah10]

ahhh these new songs I downloaded are much better. It actually has a flow to it. Thanks fellas!

 

[SeattleSlew]

One more thing; in terms of best albums, try "Blood on the Tracks" and "Blonde on Blonde." And even though his old stuff is better you might try a more modern song, called "Things Have Changed." He stole the show at the Oscars last year with that number; a great addition to otherwise manufactured and mainstream event....

SLEW