The Bob Dylan Discussion Thread

[Valmore]

You either haven't heard a cat in heat or you haven't heard Bob Dylan. Maybe you're thinking of Jimmy Page?

EDIT: Goddammit, I fucked up my own snark. I meant Robert Plant.

HA HA! You f-ed your own snark! That's funny.

And Bob Dylan still sucks as a singer.

[the film freak]

And Bob Dylan still sucks as a singer.

Someone obviously never listened to Nashville Skyline.

[Ilash]

Someone obviously never listened to Nashville Skyline.

Haven't heard that one yet myself but Lay Lady Lay comes from there doesn't it? If so, and if the rest of the album is like that, then yeah that's some great siinging. Also, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan has plenty of great singing too. Ditto Blood on the Tracks.

I'm actually kind of surprised that it's his singing that turns so many people off because, to me at least, his head-splittingly shrill harmonica playing is a much bigger deterant when it comes to enjoying his music. John Wesley Harding is an especially good example of this. On that album Dylan came up with a strong set of melodies, with fantastic story-type lyrics and a very approachable singing style but the harmonica playing on that album is almost literally painful to listen to.

Oh and seeing as how I started a whole other thread about it, I definitely mostly agree with Dylan in his criticism of modern production and recording techniques. Oddly enough though, I think his own 90s album Time Out of Mind has a wonderful sound so I wouldn't say that all modern albums suffer from this problem. The vast majority of mainstream music does though.

[Jonathan Bogart]

I'm actually kind of surprised that it's his singing that turns so many people off because, to me at least, his head-splittingly shrill harmonica playing is a much bigger deterant when it comes to enjoying his music.

*sigh*

More people need to listen to old country, blues, jazz, and "folk" 78s. And to 60s and 70s punk and avant-garde recordings. Dylan's harmonica playing is as functional as his guitar playing, and always serves the mood of the song. Embrace dissonance!

Oh, and his new album is out in the US tomorrow. To the chagrin of the people who hate that we talk about older music on this board, I'll be starting a thread.

[leonaozaki]

Haven't heard that one yet myself but Lay Lady Lay comes from there doesn't it? If so, and if the rest of the album is like that, then yeah that's some great siinging. Also, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan has plenty of great singing too. Ditto Blood on the Tracks.

He sounds like he does on Nashville Skyline because he'd taken a break from cigarettes.

I'm actually kind of surprised that it's his singing that turns so many people off because, to me at least, his head-splittingly shrill harmonica playing is a much bigger deterant when it comes to enjoying his music. John Wesley Harding is an especially good example of this. On that album Dylan came up with a strong set of melodies, with fantastic story-type lyrics and a very approachable singing style but the harmonica playing on that album is almost literally painful to listen to.

Huh? I've never had a problem with any of his studio harmonica (although some of his live harmonica performances are a different story); as Jonathan said, however he plays his harmonica usually suits the song. Give Oh Mercy a spin and you might see what I mean. His sharp breaks on "What was it you wanted?" fit that acerbic song perfectly, while the elegaic harmonica outro to "Shooting Star" wraps up the song and the album extremely well.

The more I think about it the more I like his harmonica playing....

rob

[leonaozaki]

Oh, and his new album is out in the US tomorrow. To the chagrin of the people who hate that we talk about older music on this board, I'll be starting a thread.

But is it "older," really? It is a new album, after all.

Can't wait, myself. Are you planning on buying the regular edition or the special edition with the DVD?

rob

[Jonathan Bogart]

Can't wait, myself. Are you planning on buying the regular edition or the special edition with the DVD?

I hadn't known there was a choice. I'm trying to conserve money now, so probably just the regular edition, unless the DVD is something extra special.

[berk]

The more I think about it the more I like his harmonica playing....

I think my favourite example is Black Diamond Bay, from the Desire album. Real nice playing throughout the song, and perfectly fits and enhances the mood, as has been pointed out.

[DennyK]

Fu*k Bob Dylan, there has been a lot of great music released in the time period he's talking about. He seems like a bitter "old man".

[berk]

Fu*k Bob Dylan, there has been a lot of great music released in the time period he's talking about. He seems like a bitter "old man".

Read the linked page again, or the earlier posts in the thread. I think Dylan was criticizing the sound quality of modern recordings, not the music itself.

[DennyK]

Read the linked page again, or the earlier posts in the thread. I think Dylan was criticizing the sound quality of modern recordings, not the music itself.

...and he's still wrong

[Ilash]

Just regarding his harmonica playing, I was mainly referring to his earlier stuff. And don't get me wrong, I totally get that his harmonica suits the songs he plays as a rule. It's just that for me, it's sometimes a bit difficult to listen to - especially if I'm in the wrong mood. And I would imagine that if his voice is a turn off for some, his harmonica playing must be even more off-putting.

I'll also probably check out his album at some point - especially if the talkback is positive. So hey, I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say about it.

[leonaozaki]

I'm actually kind of surprised that it's his singing that turns so many people off because, to me at least, his head-splittingly shrill harmonica playing is a much bigger deterant when it comes to enjoying his music. John Wesley Harding is an especially good example of this. On that album Dylan came up with a strong set of melodies, with fantastic story-type lyrics and a very approachable singing style but the harmonica playing on that album is almost literally painful to listen to.

Having now listened to John Wesley Harding in its entirety, paying particular attention to the harmonica...I still have no idea what you're talking about here. Or at least I can't hear it. To my ear it sounds great.

rob

[leonaozaki]

Fu*k Bob Dylan, there has been a lot of great music released in the time period he's talking about. He seems like a bitter "old man".

Wow, that's some trenchant music criticism, there. I think if I wrote that about the Beatles I'd get banned.

rob

[Ilash]

Having now listened to John Wesley Harding in its entirety, paying particular attention to the harmonica...I still have no idea what you're talking about here. Or at least I can't hear it. To my ear it sounds great.

rob

Wow, really? I've actually heard quite a few reviewers bring it up so I know it's not just me. Which version of the album did you listen to? Did you hear it on SACD or Vinyl? Was it the new remaster or old CD? It's probably just a subjective thing but maybe the format of the album makes a difference?