Bob Dylan Assessment

[scotrace]

From the mouths of children..

Bob Dylan special on PBS tonight. My eight year old, who is a fine piano player and loves music said, "that man is ugly and cannot sing."

 

[Mycroft]

From the mouths of children..

Bob Dylan special on PBS tonight. My eight year old, who is a fine piano player and loves music said, "that man is ugly and cannot sing."

That is awsome, I mean, he has a lot to learn, but hey whatever. How was the program?

 

[Merlin]

How was the program?

The program ain't over yet! Part 1 runs tonight from 9-11 and part 2 is tomorrow at the same time. So far, so good though. After all, it's a Scorsese picture, so it's gotta be pretty good. Besides, this ain't the first time Zimmy's been shot by Marty. . .

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I'm waiting for the John Lee Hooker movie to come out...

Or the Stevie Ray Vaughn movie...

Or the Muddy Waters movie...

Now those guys could sing, but they ain't pretty either.

 

[Michaelson]

I was growing up during the same times as Dylan. I didn't like him then. I watched the show. He hasn't gotten any better.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[shamus]

The man could sure write a song though... And I believe he as often photographed with a beat up fedora on his head.

Music and beauty are in the eye of the beholder/listener

 

[Michaelson]

As long as someone else sings it, you're right. He was/is best known for wearing an unsnapped brim cap.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[Prairie Shade]

He is known as the poet of a generation. He says he was just writing songs and selling albums. He is a little part of everyone he knew. In my, opinion he has not gotten mellow, just harsh. Maybe too many drugs.

 

[airfrogusmc]

I guess the true way to tell how important an artist was is to see the way his or her art influenced others.

I think Dylans influence is and was felt throughout music then and now. The Beatles were so taken with Dylan they made Rubber Soul. Hendrix did killer versions of All Along the Watchtower and Like a Rolling Stone.

Dylans Love and Theft record from 2001 is very good.

 

[varga49]

reminds me of that joke...

From the mouths of children..

Bob Dylan special on PBS tonight. My eight year old, who is a fine piano player and loves music said, "that man is ugly and cannot sing."

What did the deadhead say when he got out of rehab???

Man those guys really suck!!

 

[Feraud]

I enjoyed the PBS program. Bob Dylan was more eloquent(and understandable) in these recent interviews than I have ever heard him!

The old footage was great to see.

Regarding his voice and talent(or lack of). Bob Dylan became the voice of a generation. Whether it was intentional or not, I do not know. He became what he always wanted to be, a performer/songwriter. Dylan was not the best looking, sounding, guitar, or harmonica playing performer of his generation but he evidently struck a chord with people. I think his strengh was in his songwriting and unique voice. We should not complain about a persons look or voice while at the same time complaining about todays superficial and disposable entertainment! We 'retro' lovin' types should be able to look deeper and with a sense of history. Otherwise, this retro thing is merely a costume we wear. Thirty years from now who will we remember from today as 'musicians'. 50 cent, Ashlee Simpson, The Black Eyed-Peas?......
Today's performers are marketed to have that one 'hit'. They sit back and play the 'star'.

As the PBS documentary showed, Bob Dylan was well regarded by enough by his fans that when he 'plugged in' to create his music, they hated him for it! That extreme love or hate tells you an artist has something going for them. To be called a Judas by your fans is a sign of something.

He appreciated his past and drew from it to create something that is instantly identifiable as his own. He was inspired by the folk music and their message. Dylan took the folk style and themes, filtered it through his experiences and became a legend.

 

[Michaelson]

Us 'retro loving' types that actually lived through that era (well, speaking for myself) also don't believe in re-writing history. I didn't like him then....and I have not read or heard anything that has changed my opinion. Sorry.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[Feraud]

Us 'retro loving' types that actually lived through that era (well, speaking for myself) also don't believe in re-writing history. I didn't like him then....and I have not read or heard anything that has changed my opinion. Sorry.

Regards! Michaelson

Point well taken Michaelson! I did not live through the era. I also do not consider Dylan a "historian" per se. He has said himself that he makes no social comments. I was trying to comment more on the perception of him as being either ugly, having a bad voice or somehow talentless as opposed to being a social reformer. There are those that do think he helped in this. I appreciate him more for that odd voice, lyics and persona.

I see his place as more fimly in the realm of performer(I think a unique one) than politician or policy maker!

 

[Michaelson]

Understood, and your point well made as well. :cheers1:

High regards! Michaelson

 

[Feraud]

Understood, and your point well made as well. :cheers1:

High regards! Michaelson

Really? Huh, that could be a first for me.

 

[airfrogusmc]

I think as an artist it takes a great deal of courage to continue on a path that departs from something that is or was successful. Its interesting that we expect artists from other artforms to grow and change but we seem to always want recording artists to stay the same. Like his music or not his influence was profound. If you dislike his music I'm certain there is another musician you like (from that generation or after) that was influenced in some way by him.

 

[varga49]

As a (non professional) musician, I for one, appreciate Bob Dylan...A close friend of many years, knows him rather well and reports he's actually a fairly average man..no "Dylan" pretense!, I think he meant! Although, I laughed out loud reading the first few posts, whether or not one likes him, remains rather irrelavant...his contribution to that era cannot be denied.

 

[Michaelson]

True. Like him or not, you've definitely heard of him and what he's done in the past.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[Bebop]

I think Dylan is one of a few musicians who can make you forget he can't sing if you get into his lyrics. His nasal twang is a trade mark. Johnny Cash could not really sing and pulled it off. Neil Young is another non-singer that is held in high regard. Dr. John, and the list could go on. I think it is the package that grabs you.

 

[BellyTank]

You don't need to be able to 'sing' in the 'traditional' way to be a great musician, touch, inspire and entertain. Neil Young is another great example of a great musician. Thanks Bebop.
Don't forget- Frank Zappa was one of the C20th's great composers and he was ugly...

Bob Dylan is great.

B
T