rialb said:

I'm not really big on poetry but this is pretty impressive.

I kind of wish that he had done more stuff like that.

Yeah, "Last Thoughts on Woody" is beautiful. He only recited it once and it was in front of a live audience. Obvously that is the recording you're hearing.

NoVideo said:

Dylan is an incredibly talented and influential vocalist.

I can agree with being an influential vocalist, but talented singer? =/ (Just reread my initial post.)

I don't disagree with anyone liking his voice, that's their business?

NoVideo said:

but having "talent" is not all about hitting notes.

O rly?

[Edited 7/9/11 16:28pm]

[Edited 7/9/11 16:33pm]

I'm a fan of some of his folk-leaning work but songs like "Subterrenean Homesick Blues", "Like a Rolling Stone", "I Want You", "Rainy Day Women #12 and #35", "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again", "Hurricane", "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", "Hey Mr. Tambourine Man", "The Times They Are-A Changin'", "Blowin' In the Wind", "Most Likely You'll Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine" and "Ballad of a Thin Man" stand out as some of the greatest songs ever penned by anybody.

Oh Lord here we go with the singing. It's an acquired taste, a'ight? Leave Dylan 'lone!

The thing about Dylan's voice is that he has been incredibly varied with it. The early Dylan was heavily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Nashville Skyline has that croony voice that sounds like a completely different person but the mid-60s 'rock' Dylan voice is one of the coolest ever.

Having said that, I totally get why it doesn't connect with some people.

mynameisnotsusan said:

The thing about Dylan's voice is that he has been incredibly varied with it. The early Dylan was heavily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Nashville Skyline has that croony voice that sounds like a completely different person but the mid-60s 'rock' Dylan voice is one of the coolest ever.

Having said that, I totally get why it doesn't connect with some people.

I get it too. Not everyone is gonna dig it.

Timmy84 said:

Oh Lord here we go with the singing. It's an acquired taste, a'ight? Leave Dylan 'lone!

lol I understand that. I'm not in here to trying to convert any believers into non-believers.

Unholyalliance said:

NoVideo said:

Dylan is an incredibly talented and influential vocalist.

I can agree with being an influential vocalist, but talented singer? =/ (Just reread my initial post.)

I don't disagree with anyone liking his voice, that's their business?

NoVideo said:

but having "talent" is not all about hitting notes.

O rly?

Ballad of a Thin Man (aka Ballad of "Unholyalliance")

You walk into the room
With your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked
And you say, "Who is that man ?"
You try so hard
But you don't understand
Just what you'll say
When you get home.

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You raise up your head
And you ask, "Is this where it is?"
And somebody points to you and says
"It's his"
And you says, "What's mine ?"
And somebody else says, "Where what is ?"
And you say, "Oh my God
Am I here all alone?"

But something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You hand in your ticket
And you go watch the geek
Who immediately walks up to you
When he hears you speak
And says, "How does it feel
To be such a freak ?"
And you say, "Impossible"
As he hands you a bone.

And something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You have many contacts
Among the lumberjacks
To get you facts
When someone attacks your imagination
But nobody has any respect
Anyway they already expect you
To all give a check
To tax-deductible charity organizations.
You've been with the professors
And they've all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have
Discussed lepers and crooks
You've been through all of
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
You're very well read
It's well known.

But something is happening here
And you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you
And then he kneels
He crosses himself
And then he clicks his high heels
And without further notice
He asks you how it feels
And he says, "Here is your throat back
Thanks for the loan".

And you know something is happening
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Now you see this one-eyed midget
Shouting the word "NOW"
And you say, "For what reason ?"
And he says, "How ?"
And you say, "What does this mean ?"
And he screams back, "You're a cow
Give me some milk
Or else go home".

Because something is happening
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Well, you walk into the room
Like a camel and then you frown
You put your eyes in your pocket
And your nose on the ground
There ought to be a law
Against you comin' around
You should be made
To wear earphones.

Does something is happening
And you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Imaginative said:

Unholyalliance said:

O rly?

Ballad of a Thin Man (aka Ballad of "Unholyalliance")

You walk into the room
With your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked
And you say, "Who is that man ?"
You try so hard
But you don't understand
Just what you'll say
When you get home.

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You raise up your head
And you ask, "Is this where it is?"
And somebody points to you and says
"It's his"
And you says, "What's mine ?"
And somebody else says, "Where what is ?"
And you say, "Oh my God
Am I here all alone?"

I love that second verse. This song and Idiot Wind were the songs that got me into Dylan

mynameisnotsusan said:

I love that second verse. This song and Idiot Wind were the songs that got me into Dylan

Oh yeah, no one writes a "hate song" like Dylan. Of course, in the same vein, there's also "Positively 4th Street"!!

(And if you followed his M.O., you would see this "Unholyalliance" is "Mr. Jones" to the TEE! The only reason he is in this thread is because he doesn't like the way I feel about Michael Jackson, and he truly doesn't even know the first thing about Dylan.)

[Edited 7/9/11 23:22pm]

Imaginative said:

(And if you followed his M.O., you would see this "Unholyalliance" is "Mr. Jones" to the TEE! The only reason he is in this thread is because he doesn't like the way I feel about Michael Jackass, and he truly doesn't even know the first thing about Dylan.)

[img:$uid]http://i.imgur.com/nqlXi.jpg[/img:$uid]

I'm not petty, you're really not that important, and it's not that serious. I also know that it's weird for you to comprehend it, but I do have opinions of my own about a lot of artists and topics that are presented here, as well, and I will express them as I see fit as I normally have on this board for the past year.

Thank you very much.

Unholyalliance said:

While, I respect his work it's just not for me. When I hear someone sing, they have to, at least, be on key or have some smidgen of talent in that area. If writing/lyrics is the only thing I'm focusing on I might as well read a book of poetry.

Then why are you here again, Mr Jones?

Now if you'll excuse me...

[Edited 7/9/11 23:03pm]

I love this

Imaginative said:

Then why are you here again, Mr Jones?

[Edited 7/9/11 22:26pm]

Because as a member of the Org, as long as the link is available to me, I can click on it and join the discussion. Plus, even if I don't like a particular artist I am always open minded enough to continue checking out the music in hopes that I find something that I can like (even if I can't really stand to listen to Bob's voice). Posting/discussing music is what you should be doing too as opposed to derailing your own thread.

Speaking of Dylan, I do like this version of the song. Guess it really belongs in the definitive covers thread, but I think that Jimi did an excellent job with it:

[Edited 7/9/11 22:48pm]

Imaginative said:

Unholyalliance said:

While, I respect his work it's just not for me. When I hear someone sing, they have to, at least, be on key or have some smidgen of talent in that area. If writing/lyrics is the only thing I'm focusing on I might as well read a book of poetry.

Then why are you here again, Mr Jones?

Now if you'll excuse me...

[Edited 7/9/11 22:26pm]

I swear if it wasn't for all the stupid childish shit like this(including Michael Jackass....like really?) I could really take your criticism about MJ seriously. AND your posts about other musicians, I get to learn a lot. Act your age NOT YOUR SHOE SIZE!!

[Edited 7/9/11 23:07pm]

Emancipation89 said:

Imaginative said:

Then why are you here again, Mr Jones?

Now if you'll excuse me...

[Edited 7/9/11 22:26pm]

I swear if it wasn't for all the stupid childish shit like this(including Michael Jackass....like really?) I could really take your criticism about MJ seriously. AND your posts about other musicians, I get to learn a lot. Act your age NOT YOUR SHOE SIZE!!

[Edited 7/9/11 22:52pm]

Sincere apologies. It was meant for one, not yourself. And you're absolutely right. I should and will act my age.

Thank you for the video and your contribution, Unholyaliance.

Interestingly, in the Biograph linernotes, Dylan said that from the moment he heard Hendrix play "Watchtower," he would forever be covering Hendrix's version. I can't be too sure, but I'm pretty sure he didn't go to Jimi for cash.

[Edited 7/10/11 0:51am]

mynameisnotsusan said:

The thing about Dylan's voice is that he has been incredibly varied with it. The early Dylan was heavily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Nashville Skyline has that croony voice that sounds like a completely different person but the mid-60s 'rock' Dylan voice is one of the coolest ever.

Having said that, I totally get why it doesn't connect with some people.

I always seen memes using the images in this video, but the song kinda sounds familiar. I like this one.

Question though:

Why did everyone criticize Dylan for switching to electric guitar? Was it because he was following trends? Something that his fanbase was, completely, against?

Unholyalliance said:

mynameisnotsusan said:

The thing about Dylan's voice is that he has been incredibly varied with it. The early Dylan was heavily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Nashville Skyline has that croony voice that sounds like a completely different person but the mid-60s 'rock' Dylan voice is one of the coolest ever.

Having said that, I totally get why it doesn't connect with some people.

I always seen memes using the images in this video, but the song kinda sounds familiar. I like this one.

Question though:

Why did everyone criticize Dylan for switching to electric guitar? Was it because he was following trends? Something that his fanbase was, completely, against?

Everyone wasn't criticizing Dylan; it was only his original and most hard-core folk fanbase. The overwhelming majority demonstated thier love for Dylan's new music with huge commercial success. But to the Folk World, he had not only been their hero, but their spokesman (both roles that Dylan neither acknowleged or identified with) Being that Rock was dominant when Dylan first plugged in live, they viewed his progression as selling out.

It's not entirely dissimilar to how many of Nirvana's original fans felt when Nevermind came out. Or how U2's original fanbase felt when Joshua Tree came out. Similarly to these two latter albums, Dylan's electric, "Thin Wild Mercury" trilogy was not only a commercial breakthrough, but an artistic triumph.

In one of the most famous concerts ever captured on tape, a former fan yelled out at Dylan, "JUDAS!!"

Dylan's response directly to the audience member, "I don't believe you. You're a liar." He then turned slightly off-mic to his lead guitarist, Robbie Robertson, "Play fucking loud." The resulting performace of "Like a Rolling Stone," is one of the greatest moments in rock music.

In actuality, Dylan admired the likes of Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, etc. like most young teenagers his age, and he saw his new music as a natural progression of his art. It wouldn't be the first time he turned his back on his fanbase, to create a larger one (or smaller one, for that matter) in the process.

He never chased commerciality, it chased HIM.

[Edited 7/10/11 3:04am]

Unholyalliance said:

I always seen memes using the images in this video, but the song kinda sounds familiar. I like this one.

Question though:

Why did everyone criticize Dylan for switching to electric guitar? Was it because he was following trends? Something that his fanbase was, completely, against?

Just to add to the above summary...

If you can, watch the (excellent) Scorcese documentary No Direction Home. The folkies got mad because he was seen as betraying what they viewed as their noble, pure, earnest, socially conscious art for cheap commercial selfish pop/rock.

I love that the first song he performed plugged in was "Maggies Farm" - I ain't gonna work on Maggies farm no more (translation : fuck you and your folk idol bs!)

Amazingly, incredibly Dylan really changed BOTH genres. If you think of rock n' roll of the time it was hardly lyrically challenging "Rock Around The Clock" "Tutti Frutti" etc.

I mean the lyrics of Love Me Do are pretty embarrassing. He introduced a whole new language of possibilities into lyrics.

Check this incredible song he released in 1965, performed live in 1986 (his so-called '80s crap period)

It sounds incredible now, I can't even begin to imagine what it sounded like when it came out.

mynameisnotsusan said:

Unholyalliance said:

I always seen memes using the images in this video, but the song kinda sounds familiar. I like this one.

Question though:

Why did everyone criticize Dylan for switching to electric guitar? Was it because he was following trends? Something that his fanbase was, completely, against?

Just to add to the above summary...

If you can, watch the (excellent) Scorcese documentary No Direction Home. The folkies got mad because he was seen as betraying what they viewed as their noble, pure, earnest, socially conscious art for cheap commercial selfish pop/rock.

I love that the first song he performed plugged in was "Maggies Farm" - I ain't gonna work on Maggies farm no more (translation : fuck you and your folk idol bs!)

Amazingly, incredibly Dylan really changed BOTH genres. If you think of rock n' roll of the time it was hardly lyrically challenging "Rock Around The Clock" "Tutti Frutti" etc.

I mean the lyrics of Love Me Do are pretty embarrassing. He introduced a whole new language of possibilities into lyrics.

Check this incredible song he released in 1965, performed live in 1986 (his so-called '80s crap period)

It sounds incredible now, I can't even begin to imagine what it sounded like when it came out.

Um, I'm not sure if that version (or era) is for the uninitiated. (I'm not sure if that decade is for the uninitiated!) At least listen to the flawless studio version first:

[Edited 7/10/11 3:04am]

Oh yeah, good point, got a bit carried away

mynameisnotsusan said:

Oh yeah, good point, got a bit carried away

I saw him perform that version at Jones Beach in '86 and I thought it was one of the worst things I'd ever heard! That show turned me off to seeing him live again until I saw him at the El Rey in L.A, eleven years later in Dec. '97 (3 nights), which to this day, was the most intense concert experience in my 25+ years of concert going.

Dylan.

Imaginative said:

mynameisnotsusan said:

Oh yeah, good point, got a bit carried away

I saw him perform that version at Jones Beach in '86 and I thought it was one of the worst things I'd ever heard! That show turned me off to seeing him live again until I saw him at the El Rey in L.A, eleven years later in Dec. '97 (3 nights), which to this day, was the most intense concert experience in my 25+ years of concert going.

Dylan.

Was this one of the shows?

I'm pretty sure I have this somewhere, I'll have to give it another whirl.

mynameisnotsusan said:

Was this one of the shows?

I'm pretty sure I have this somewhere, I'll have to give it another whirl.

^^^^

YES! And I have all five of the circulating nights (and the limited El Rey residency poster, which I'm looking at as I write this) to remember that amazing week forever.

I attended three nights, Dec. 16, Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. I can remember like it was yesterday. It was really at the very beginning of Dylan's millennial comeback, having JUST won his three Grammys for "Time Out of Mind," and this being L.A., the audiences were star-studded. Ringo, Jack Nicholson, I can't even remember who else, it was a real "who's who!" And every night had a different A-list opening act; the first night I went, it was Beck (acoustic solo set), then Sheryl Crow and Band and Willie Nelson (also acoustic solo set) on the last night. I don't recall who opened the 2 nights I (regrettably) missed.

The 800-1200 capacity El Rey is still my favorite all-time venue to see a show.

Were you there?

(Sometimes I find myself envious of the lucky ones who got to see Xenophobia at Paisley Park in 2002, but then I make myself feel better thinking about that week in December, '97.)

[Edited 7/10/11 2:55am]

Imaginative said:

mynameisnotsusan said:

Was this one of the shows?

I'm pretty sure I have this somewhere, I'll have to give it another whirl.

YES! And I have all five of the circulating nights (and the limited El Rey residency poster, which I'm looking at as I write this) to remember that amazing week forever.

I attended three nights, Dec. 16, Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. I can remember like it was yesterday. It was really at the very beginning of Dylan's millennial comeback, having won his just won his three Grammy's for "Time Out of Mind," and all of the nights were star-studded. Ringo, Jack Nicholson, I can't even remember who else, it was a real "who's who!" And every night had a different A-list opening act; the first night I went, it was Beck (acoustic solo set), then Willie Nelson (also acoustic solo set) and Sheryl Crow and the last night. I don't recall who opened the 2 nights I (regrettably) missed.

800-1200 capacity El Rey is still my favorite all-time venue to see a show.

Were you there?

(Sometimes I find myself envious of the lucky ones who got to see Xenophobia at Paisley Park in 2002, but then I make myself feel better thinking about that week in December, '97.)

[Edited 7/10/11 2:48am]

Wow, nice openers, sounds like a great venue. I've only seen him 5 times when he came through NZ in 2003. Was on a real Dylan kick at the time and he was great, the band were kickass. I have to confess I didn't make the effort to see him this year when he was only an hour or so away.

mynameisnotsusan said:

Imaginative said:

YES! And I have all five of the circulating nights (and the limited El Rey residency poster, which I'm looking at as I write this) to remember that amazing week forever.

I attended three nights, Dec. 16, Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. I can remember like it was yesterday. It was really at the very beginning of Dylan's millennial comeback, having won his just won his three Grammy's for "Time Out of Mind," and all of the nights were star-studded. Ringo, Jack Nicholson, I can't even remember who else, it was a real "who's who!" And every night had a different A-list opening act; the first night I went, it was Beck (acoustic solo set), then Willie Nelson (also acoustic solo set) and Sheryl Crow and the last night. I don't recall who opened the 2 nights I (regrettably) missed.

800-1200 capacity El Rey is still my favorite all-time venue to see a show.

Were you there?

(Sometimes I find myself envious of the lucky ones who got to see Xenophobia at Paisley Park in 2002, but then I make myself feel better thinking about that week in December, '97.)

[Edited 7/10/11 2:48am]

Wow, nice openers, sounds like a great venue. I've only seen him 5 times when he came through NZ in 2003. Was on a real Dylan kick at the time and he was great, the band were kickass. I have to confess I didn't make the effort to see him this year when he was only an hour or so away.

He's going to be here this coming Friday, and hour outside of the city in Costa Mesa, but this damned L.A. "Carmageddon" is going to keep me away!

[Edited 7/10/11 3:02am]

Unholyalliance said:

NoVideo said:

Dylan is an incredibly talented and influential vocalist.

I can agree with being an influential vocalist, but talented singer? =/ (Just reread my initial post.)

I don't disagree with anyone liking his voice, that's their business?

I read it the first time just fine, no need to re-read. Perhaps you should read my response to you again. Yes, he is a talented singer, period. Whether you enjoy it or not is your own choice.

I love me some Dylan Press Conferences!

NoVideo said:

Yes, he is a talented singer, period.

I know that you did not type that with a straight face.

Unholyalliance said:

NoVideo said:

Yes, he is a talented singer, period.

I know that you did not type that with a straight face.

As I said earlier, among the top five or 10 most innovative and influential vocalists of the 20th Century, alongside Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday. And easily one of the best of the past 50 years. He never sang for squares and it does take a level of sophistication to understand musically his approach to melody and meter, so we don't expect you to get it. Actually, we kind of prefer it that you don't.

Now if you ask either myself, or NoVid if he has a "pretty" voice, well not traditionally speaking. But it is a beautiful voice to those with the ears to hear it. You're simply more inclined to only appreciate "pretty" things. I'm sure the work of the other modern masters, be it in visual arts, literature, etc. would also go over your head.

"Because you know something is happening, but you don't know what it is. Do you, Mr. Jones?"

[Edited 7/12/11 10:56am]