The Last Temptation of Dylan- Watching the new documentary.

slate ^ | Posted Friday, Sept. 23, 2005 | David Yaffe

[Michael.SF.]

Have you ever heard Judy Collins do it? Amazing,IMO.

I have not heard that version. I will try to look it up. Thanks

[dennisw]

My problem with todays Bob Dylan is his voice. It's terrible either on purpose or from years of cigarettes. His band is always the best and so is the music. I rather listen to him on record than to see him in person butcher his oldies.

The last two nights PBS shows were great. The interviews with his old buddies from Greenwich Village. The England '66 performances were immaculately restored. Play effing loud, baby!

[dennisw]

I read some quote, don't know if I have it right or not, but in his autobiography from last year he mentions his favorite politician was Barry Goldwater.

You must bear in mind he likes to make offbeat remarks to surprise people so they can't pigeon hole him. He's always been like that

[dennisw]

I like any Dylan tune the Byrds do better than the way Dylan did it. I like the McGuinn 12 string jingle jangle and Gene Clark's voice and the harmonies with David Crosby

[Skooz]

My problem with todays Bob Dylan is his voice.

When I first listened, his voice was distracting. But, I have gotten used to it and have actually come to appreciate it as it is now. I have come to like his 21st century voice.

Do yourself a favor and buy "Love and Theft." It contains some of his best songs ever. "Mississippi," "Floater," and "High Water" are up there with his best. I'm listening to "Lonesome Day Blues" right now. Amazing. Just amazing. He's never been better.

[Aquinasfan]

I think he is one of the greatest poets ever. I'm thinking particularly of songs like Tambourine Man.

"Heeeeeeeeey Mr. Tambourine Man..." < sung w/clothespin on nose> Sorry, I can't get past that.

[AnnaZ]

I lovelovelovelovelove Dylan.

I go through phases with his music. Sometimes I'll just pick an album (any album!) and play it for weeks on end.

My latest obsession is the lazy man's approach, currently Disc 2 on his latest "Hits" compilation -- Silvio, Everything Is Broken, Near Dark, and my absolute latest favorite Things Have Changed. It's just too darned good.

I'll buy this DVD.

[martin gibson]

But, I'm curious to know more about his philosophy. ...

read Chronicals, Volume 1

[LikeLight]

I watched most of the 2nd night on PBS - Dylan is hilarious!

The footage from the 60's was incredible . . . Dylan was dissing the press, dissing the leftist peacenik crowd, dissing the "folk" music establishment and even dissing his fans . . . but I don't know if any of them realized it, he was so perfectly deadpan . . .

I found the comments of Joan Baez particularly revealing as to Bob's connection with the radical left - basically she said "he was never with us" . . .

[Pietro]

My wife was watching bits and pieces of this and I caught one segment where a reporter tried to get the young Dylan to comment on the Vietnam war.

BD said something to the effect that the question was ridiculus, why would you ask an entertainer about such a complex subject? Entertainers are not equipped to address those types of issues said BD.

it was refreshing candor.

[subterfuge]

The point is that the author is hand-wringing BECAUSE Dylan isn't a bloviating, frothing-at-the-mouth-liberal as he no doubt hoped.

And you are wrong about only boomers caring about boomers. In fact you couldn't be MORE wrong. This economy is being driven by boomers. The health care industry, the recreation industry, and; who do you think is buying all those SUVs?

Are you one of those jealous young punks under 35?

[dennisw]

Bob Dylan was with the left back in his early years but he never got in as deep and crazy as a Joan Baez. When he wanted out of the protest singer niche, the true believer leftists were mighty peeved. For BD his career and poetry always came first.

I never liked BD until he went to rocking electric.

[CharlieOK1]

Senior year of High school, we had to do a paper on our favorite poet. I chose Dylan

[YankeeFan]

I thought it was interesting that he got his record deal based on the cover songs he was performing at Folk City.

I don't think he wrote a single song on his debut album,

[YankeeFan]

I thought it was interesting that he got his record deal based on the cover songs he was performing at Folk City.

I don't think he wrote a single song on his debut album,

[WorkingClassFilth]

No, I'm an informed boomer.

[ABN 505]

She wrote Diamonds and Rust I believe. Pretty good song. Come to think of it She wrote it about Dylan

[Northern Alliance]

"Heeeeeeeeey Mr. Tambourine Man..." < sung w/clothespin on nose> Sorry, I can't get past that.

Your loss.

[PJ-Comix]

Bob Dylan = Joan Baez = Martin Scorcese = all the other subverted and, ultimately, wasted talent of my g-g-generation. Nobody but aging boomers will recall this man in the not too distant future

I saw this documentary and developed a STRANGE NEW RESPECT for Bob Dylan. And what did he do that was so horrible? Yeah, he offended the dopey folk song "purists" like that idiot Pete Seeger by playing an electric guitar but is that really so bad? Also, if you SAW the documentary, Dylan did NOT get involved with the leftwing protests. He just played his music and figured it was enough to entertain people.

[mysterio]

Bob Dylan : Bringing it All Back Home. That's my favorite. Was that his first electric album? I'm not sure.