Bob Dylan
Paradis | October 14, 2009
Bob Dylan…
is one of the greatest American musicians that ever lived. He never intended to be a great singer, but he makes you listen to the song. He is known as the singing poet, and he makes music to get your attention. Most artists will cite Dylan as an inspiration to them, and many artists have performed or recorded his work. His lastest album, Thunder on the Mountain is testiment to the fact that he still has what it takes.
Born, Robert Allen Zimmerman, Dylan’s first song was Blowin in the Wind, and, Like a Rolling Stone, was his first number one.
Like a Rolling Stone was the song that first brought my attention to this gravel voiced singer with a guitar. I never took to the Blowin in the Wind style. But Rolling Stone had such depth and feeling. It’s odd really, that the media always insist he wass the voice of protest, while he states often, that he never was that, and was just doing his thing, singing the songs his way. He has many different styles, sometimes he is soulful, sometimes romantic and sometimes he is very whimsical (Listen to, All I really want to do, especially live to catch his humour)
He has a knack that just happens, words tumble out (Listen to Thunder on the Mountain or Idiot Wind) he is so at ease with what he sings, it is as if the song and him are one whole thing. There is no song (To use a Matrix pun) there is just Dylan opening his mouth.
But somehow the people heard him speak to them. I did too, but never from a protest point of view, I only felt that he didn’t need to try, it just was. But it was his songwriting that captured me, he is just so talented with words. Dylan is also known for his free form poetry, which also influences his songwriting. The words below are a poem he wrote about the JFK assassination:
the colors of Friday were dull
as cathedral bells were gently burnin
strikin for the gentle
strikin for the kind
strikin for the crippled ones
an strikin for the blind
It went on to be incorporated into, Chimes of Freedom’.
Not too many people know about Dylan’s poetry, but he was writing it at the beginning of everything, and he cites French poet, Rimbaud as one of the best.
Dylan’s song writing talent is superb, and artists such as; U2, Clapton, Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello, Beach Boys, and a miriad of others, have all recorded Dylan songs. In fact it totals around 3,000 artists, quite a feat for this grandfather, and father of six. One of his sons is Wallflowers lead singer, Jakob Dylan, another, Jesse Dylan is a director.
Best album? Well I am biased of course, but I like Blonde on Blonde and Blood on the Tracks.
Paradis
