Bob Dylan

[arkjack]

I thought I'd throw this out there today. And I'll try to set up a poll to track.I guess I am afraid to say that I am a Bob Dylan fan. Sometimes in the music scene, I almost feel like I have to be a closet Dylan fan. Is it just me? For some reason I seem to get a "vibe" from a lot of people at different levels of the music business, that its not a good thing to like Bob Dylan. I get a lot of frowns, comments about his singing, and arguments about whether he is or is not a really great songwriter. I guess the other place I "sense" some negativity is the fact that I know I am influenced by Dylan's style in a lot of my own songwriting and music. The screeners come out with comments that something sounds "Dylanesque" and slightly implies it is therefore.... not suitable for human consumption. Kind of a pooh pooh attitude.Its pretty easy to research how much of an iconic influence he has had on all genres of music for probably three generations now. Itunes has 82 albums for sale just under Bob Dylan alone, which doesn't count hist joint efforts with other artists and bands. If you look at the artists and bands that have done covers of his songs or even entire tribute albums, the list is phenomenal compared to the majority of american songwriters. All Along The Watchtowerr alone has been a hit cover for Hendrix, Dave Mason, the White Stirpes, and the Grateful Dead. The artists go from Natalie Cole, Nick Drake, Elvis, Pearl Jam, Dixie Chicks, Stevie Wonder..... He has 15 Grammy honors including Album of the Year, Golden Globe, and and Oscar. A member of the Rock, Songwriters, and Nashville Songwriters hall of fame.I guess the first song I ever learned by heart, 'Don't Think Twice', and growing up through the seventies and eighties with his songs as standards, I know the influence is very strong, just as it is throughout music around the globe.So I'm out of the closet, I'm a Bob Dylan fan. Heres to a great American writer.ArkJack

[tedsingingfox]

Can we vote more than once? Yes, there is no doubt he's an American icon, but his music (his voice) is just tooo painful for me to listen to. I've even gone to see him LIVE, twice, hoping to come away a new 'convert'.It didn't work.I'll sign this post "anonymous" to avoid the potential for flame for speaking my truth.

[chrislabbe]

im coming out with you. i love love love love love love bob. love him. i have a giant bob dylan songbook that i break out when im feeling lousy and uninspired or when i cant think of anything else to play. i hate it when i say that i like him and someone says "how can you stand his voice?" makes me crazy. i could go on (at length), but youre not alone! how about a top 5 favorite dylan songs? what are yours?1. where are you tonight2. things have changed3. down in the flood4. mississippi5. grooms still waiting at the alterdont know why, just really like those ones.

[chrislabbe]

no flaming intended there tedsingingfox.....

[tedsingingfox]

Quote:no flaming intended there tedsingingfox.....;)None taken, Chris. Not to worry.

[Mark Kaufman]

I'm a wee bit appalled. In other words, a forum full of songwriters--people who understand the craft, the structure of a song, and the difficulty of writing ANY good lyric--these very people can look at Dylan's body of work and just poo poo him? Dismiss him? Say that "Blowin' in the Wind" was lame?Hard to fathom.

[tedsingingfox]

don't know where you got THAT idea. No one has belittled his craft. That's WHY he's an American icon....

[Mark Kaufman]

Sorry, I got sort of strident there. But Artjack made it seem as if there had been earlier discussions where people gave the typical "he's overrated, weird and incomprehensible" spiel. Mea culpa--I jumped the gun. But I got it from this observation, and, well, it appalled me:"I guess I am afraid to say that I am a Bob Dylan fan. Sometimes in the music scene, I almost feel like I have to be a closet Dylan fan. Is it just me? For some reason I seem to get a "vibe" from a lot of people at different levels of the music business, that its not a good thing to like Bob Dylan. I get a lot of frowns, comments about his singing, and arguments about whether he is or is not a really great songwriter."

[Casey H]

There are some songs for which I love Bob Dylan's version. Many songs really came to life when recorded by other artists. Some of my favs by other artists are:My Back Pages - The ByrdsMr. Tambourine Man - The ByrdsAll Along The Watchtower - Jimi HendrixJust Like A Woman - Richie HavensIt Ain't Me Babe - The TurtlesBlowin' In The Wind - Peter, Paul & MaryThese are all GREAT songs, no doubt. Sometimes folks other than Mr. Dylan really brought them to light. Casey

[jchitty]

I'm a HUGE Dylan fan, and I'm not ashamed to say it....if people don't like it, tough. I have fond memories of 1965 and being 11 years old. My mother, sister and I went on a trip to White Sands, New Mexico. We were driving down the road following that long yellow line straight toward the horizon....nothing but beautiful white sand, blue sky and 'dust devils' were surrounding us. All of a sudden, a new song called 'Like A Rolling Stone' came on.....we were blown away by the 'organ' intro. Even my mother who wasn't into rock-in-roll said, "oh, what a nice song." Everytime I hear that song, it brings back memories of my mother, me and my sister riding in the desert. It will always be my favorite Dylan song, and I think it's one of his best. It really opened up a new phase of his career back in '65.Dylan is the best!