All Things Bob Dylan

I was about around 12 years old, my eldest sister was dating this hippie dude. I came home from school one day and I hear “like a rolling stone” being played on my mother’s Grundig radiogram…yeah highway 61 revisited was my favorite for years until “blood on the tracks” came out… but by then I was more into progressive rock. But the occasional Sunday blues would have me going a bit folksy. Freewheeling’ Dylan was another great album. It’s tough but 61 and blood on the tracks are equally great albums. And that hippie dude ended up marrying my sister, she still has all those Dylan records. 

Just some recollections:   The New Morning album was a favorite to me while in college.  It was not as edgy as some other Dylan stuff.  But I welcomed its softer love song music.  Dylan always seemed to write what he wanted.  Recall when the acustic guitar fan people heavily criticsied him for going electric guitar.  He is an original thinking artist and that is his strength. 

Thoughts:

Blood on the Tracks is a masterpiece but I hold The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan from 1963 in equal regard and view it as one of the most influential albums of all time.  It is was and is the template for sophisticated folk/acoustic right up until now.  There was nothing like it at the time.  The popular folk music from around then was more of the "Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley" kind with a guy playing stand up bass and the other guys/gals doing harmonies. That hasn't aged well.

I listen to this beautiful cover of his late 90s song "Not Dark Yet" a lot:

Rod Stewart did great covers (when he was great) including this cover of Mama You Been on My Mind: 

bub said:

Thoughts:

Blood on the Tracks is a masterpiece but I hold The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan from 1963 in equal regard and view it as one of the most influential albums of all time.  It is was and is the template for sophisticated folk/acoustic right up until now.  There was nothing like it at the time.  The popular folk music from around then was more of the "Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley" kind with a guy playing stand up bass and the other guys/gals doing harmonies. That hasn't aged well.

I listen to this beautiful cover of his late 90s song "Not Dark Yet" a lot:

       

Very nice.  (Shelby Lynne and Alison Moorer are sisters.) I crushed on Shelby Lynne big time when I AM SHELBY LYNN came out. Went to all four shows of her 2-nighter at Joe's Pub, in 2003. I swooned. 

Can't say I can abide Rod Stewert, even if he did have a tolerable period. His voice grates and he is so often off key.]

I'll listen to Freewheelin' again later today 

Here's another fave: Joe Cocker doing RING THEM BELLS (from Bob's Oh, Mercy). So much emotion and soul. 

Love Dylan!

Happy to hear everyone loves Blood On The Tracks, sang all of the songs playing my guitar, but this was the one I loved to sing most of all.

bub said:

Thoughts:

Blood on the Tracks is a masterpiece but I hold The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan from 1963 in equal regard and view it as one of the most influential albums of all time.  It is was and is the template for sophisticated folk/acoustic right up until now.  There was nothing like it at the time.  The popular folk music from around then was more of the "Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley" kind with a guy playing stand up bass and the other guys/gals doing harmonies. That hasn't aged well.

I listen to this beautiful cover of his late 90s song "Not Dark Yet" a lot:

Rod Stewart did great covers (when he was great) including this cover of Mama You Been on My Mind: 

         

The change of style from the Pete Seeger folk style to Dylan's interpretation is covered in the film I just watched, A Complete Unknown. Can't say it was easy to watch Chalamet play Dylan but I struggled through it.

To the OP, what did you think of the movie? A Complete Unknown. I absolutely LOVED it. And to Morganna I thought Cahlamet was amazing!  I went to a concert in 1973 in Denver while living in Boulder where Dylan's first half was electric and the second half was acoustic. I was still an acoustic gal but accepted the differences. 

wendy said:

To the OP, what did you think of the movie? A Complete Unknown. I absolutely LOVED it. And to Morganna I thought Cahlamet was amazing!  I went to a concert in 1973 in Denver while living in Boulder where Dylan's first half was electric and the second half was acoustic. I was still an acoustic gal but accepted the differences. 

I cried throughout.  

The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

wendy said:

To the OP, what did you think of the movie? A Complete Unknown. I absolutely LOVED it. And to Morganna I thought Cahlamet was amazing!  I went to a concert in 1973 in Denver while living in Boulder where Dylan's first half was electric and the second half was acoustic. I was still an acoustic gal but accepted the differences. 

I cried throughout.  

I hear you! From the opening scene with Woody throughout. It brought the whole acoustic/folks vs electric into focus.  I hadn't yet seen the big picture even though at about 15 I went to the Newport folk festival in about 1967 and recall hearing Arlo Guthrie singing Alice's Restaurant for the first time in a workshop!

When they started playing Like a Rolling Stone, in the studio, with “Al Kooper” on organ, I absolutely, totally lost it. Sobbing. Cant say that about any other movie.

I generally don't like biopics but two really good oldies come to mind.  Coal Miner's Daughter and The Buddy Holly Story.

I was inspired so I popped the Blood on the Tracks CD in car's CD player. Yup, there is one in my Dad's old Kia which I refuse to part with..

I realized there are a few tracks I'm not crazy about. Also remembered that Nashville Skyline was popular. Dylan's voice and style changed a bit. Lay Lady Lay was a pretty song.

Morganna said:

I was inspired so I popped the Blood on the Tracks CD in car's CD player. Yup, there is one in my Dad's old Kia which I refuse to part with..

I realized there are a few tracks I'm not crazy about. Also remembered that Nashville Skyline was popular. Dylan's voice and style changed a bit. Lay Lady Lay was a pretty song.

Jeez. Nashville Skyline is a gorgeous album. It has a sound, a feel, that’s unique. Great session players. So Dylan. So sweet. 

(I’m a super fan. Forgive me.) 

My ex husband has been close friends with George Receli, Dylan's drummer for years. He's a very cool guy with a great sense of humor. Found this little blurb.

George Receli: The Unsung Rhythm Master of Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour

George Receli has been a significant figure in Bob Dylan's "Never Ending Tour," serving as the drummer since 2002. His tenure has been marked by a consistent and dynamic presence, contributing to the tour's evolution and the overall sound of Bob Dylan's live performances. Receli's drumming has been integral to the tour's success, providing the rhythmic foundation that supports Dylan's diverse musical styles. His experience and musical versatility have made him a key member of the tour, ensuring that the complex arrangements and stylistic shifts are executed with precision and power.

The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

Jeez. Nashville Skyline is a gorgeous album. It has a sound, a feel, that’s unique. Great session players. So Dylan. So sweet. 

(I’m a super fan. Forgive me.) 

I'm such a fan that I even bought all the LPs he put out during his religious phase.  

Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love. I think I still have them.

Morganna said:

I was inspired so I popped the Blood on the Tracks CD in car's CD player. Yup, there is one in my Dad's old Kia which I refuse to part with..

I realized there are a few tracks I'm not crazy about. Also remembered that Nashville Skyline was popular. Dylan's voice and style changed a bit. Lay Lady Lay was a pretty song.

whatever colors you have in your mind…I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them…shine 

Man Gave Names To The Animals - Bob Dylan

However common my fav is, it's always been Blonde on Blonde, which has haunted my mind.  Maybe it was the time in my life, in addition to the lyrics, style and memories, but no rationalizations.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKZWLu6q09LMjxSwBi1i4hMwdVc9yNZx-&si=4hwEgs8PHSh_ofLi

You guys remember a few years ago when someone called the fuzz about a scruffy looking wanderer, looking at homes in Asbury Park? 

Jasmo said:

However common my fav is, it's always been Blonde on Blonde, which has haunted my mind.  Maybe it was the time in my life, in addition to the lyrics, style and memories, but no rationalizations.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKZWLu6q09LMjxSwBi1i4hMwdVc9yNZx-&si=4hwEgs8PHSh_ofLi

I had to glance at the list to recall how many favorites are on there. Rainy Day Women, Stuck Inside of Mobile, Sad Eyed Lady, you're right, that's a real good one.

Thanks Morganna, here's a full list: 

said:

I had to glance at the list to recall how many favorites are on there. Rainy Day Women, Stuck Inside of Mobile, Sad Eyed Lady, you're right, that's a real good one.

TBD

Rolling Stone calls this the fifth best ever Dylan cover. I'm not so sure. 

Best Covers of Bob Dylan Songs

The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

Rolling Stone calls this the fifth best ever Dylan cover. I'm not so sure. 

Best Covers of Bob Dylan Songs

I'm not a fan of Axl's voice so that rules it out for me.

Without looking at the list, Richie Havens Just Like A Woman comes to mind.

Excellent. (Not on RS's list, though.) I loved Richie Havens and still listen to the Mixed Bag album regularly.  Always liked this one: 

I've also been listening to Donovan's Greatest Hits. A lovely record.  This song has lived on in cover versions. 

Bob's most recent studio album, Rough and Rowdy Ways is really good. It's so very Bob Dylan. I've listened to it at least 5 or 6 times since it came out in 2020 (which I think you have to do with a new Dylan record - any record really). I like it very much. Anyone else?

Playing Modern Times in my car. Love Thunder on the Mountain. Actually there's a riff that sounds like Johnny B Good.

Anyway Bob says he'll be my "servant both night and day."

This is the full version of the song.

A great Dylan cover: