Dylan on Drugs ?

RL, the fuss about Dylan: he is one of the greatest songwriters ever, but really shouldn't attempt to play/sing his compositions. Like Leonard Cohen, Bob has no musical talent and should restrict his musical performances to the shower. I saw Dylan in concert several years ago, and although I had a good time I couldn't help thinking Bob should stick to writing music and perhaps playing the harmonica.

I am a Dylan fan. However, I find that eveytime he comes out with a new album, post 1990, the critics call it the best since Desire, ect. I listen and usually find a rehash of the same themes and chord structures.

I judge an album by how many times I listen to it. Repeated listening equals good. Wearing it out silly equals great.

I'm sure my taste varies but I barely listen to any of Bob's albums of the 90's and I own them all. As for the 80's, I really liked "Infidels" some songs on "Empire" were great, "Red Sky" was okay and "Oh Mercy" about the same.

As for the his re-doing tired old blues and folk standards, not my cup of tea. And, all these albums were hailed as the best since........ you know when.

"Time out of mind" has some really good takes on it but the mix is so spotty and anoying that I had a difficult time listening to it repeatedly. Also, some seem to find real deep meaning in some simple phrasing, which I attribute to and compare to seeing animals in clouds.

Now, this goes against the grain completely, seeing how this album was highly praised both for composition and sound. To its credit the sound does get better as the album progresses. But, ultimately the chord structure and topics were "overall" too boring for repeated playing. Honestly, how many times did you listen to or when was the last time you listened to this album.

When "Love and Theft" came out I was very skeptical. All the same tired praises were there by the same reviewers, "The best since.........", you know when. But, after it was out for a month I bought it.

Well, sure there are some 12 bar blues, "same old chord progressions" in the typical Dylan fare, ,aybe 3 or so, but in between the ho-hums were some reals gems.

It was like Bob found a new source for inspiration. He reached back to the "Tin pan alley" days added a little "Swing", and some "Dixieland". It was like the spirt of Irvin Berlin had consumed his chord structure and melody making abilities, thus producing immediate classics. These were complete songs. Melody, lyrics and chord changes!!!!!

The sound is very good, too. Bob should produce and engineer more of his recordings. He did a fine job. He is "Jack Frost".

"I was immpressed" And, needless to say it is getting its share of play.

Time will tell if I will consider it "the best since......" But, for now it is very good.

RL/Jeff,
With respect RL not being able to grasp the fuss about Dylan is a little strange to me,I can understand you not liking his music but the reason for the fuss shouldn't be beyond you,simply he changed popular music forever,he took the form and completely re-invented it by using standard genres and remoulding them in a modern setting,he changed what a song can be and more than anything else he has challenged everybody's preconceptions about him through 5 decades,,he had so many idea's in his mid-60's classic triology that people are still using them today.
He's not perfect but he's still relevant today some 40 years later and nobody but nobody has even hinted about taking the popular songwriting form further than he has.
I love music and although there are classic artists I don't rate or like I try to find something positive in their music,it is much better to try to be positive about things.
I cannot believe there aren't Dylan songs you love.
Jeff-I can't agree although Dylan's voice went into severe decline in the late 80'searly 90's,he has now got a better grip of things.
Your vision of Dylan as a songwriter only,is only one aspect of his ability,he is a performing artist,constantly changing and challenging himself,it's a big part of what he is,to say he has no musical talent is a bit extreme,he had a fantastic voice in his younger days,not a fantastic technical ability but the type of voice that typifies what is best about rock music-an alien howl echoing through the banality of modern life-could anybody really have presented Like A Rolling Stone any better than Dylan?
I think not.

Hi, regarding Love and Theft, has anyone heard both the CD and the vinyl versions? I am deciding which to buy.

Thank you!

- Eric

Pretty good ben. I think I'll try and catch Dylan when he comes around this time - if he makes it to Portland.

Cornfed: (Since you are in Colorado) If you want to hear some 'real' Dylan songs, go a show of the 'Black Rose acoustic society' north of Colorado Springs. Quite a few members from the original Florida based group.

Dylan is an easy person to overlook. That's the trick I think. Don't get one of his songs ? Just wait.

Ehart: Haven't heard the vinyl. The cd has exceptional sound quality.