Posted on 04/08/2008 8:51:40 AM PDT by Borges
I have much admiration for Dylan’s work. I don’t know if it merits a Pulitzer, but I’m glad it was him and not Bono!
His music was frequently used for protests, but Dylan himself didn’t usually get involved in that sort of thing.
Hey-at least it wasn’t Dan Rather or Amanpour!
Dylan may be a great songwriter, but his voice reminds me of fingernails on a chalkboard.
lol
His son Jakob is both a better musician and far more comprehensible.
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And in 20 years he may be as good a songwriter as dad is, and has been for getting on to 50 years. And I say that as a pretty big fan of the Wallflowers.
Dylan’s mark is not his musicianship. The Band, and his other bands, have supplied the requisite level of musicianship to complement his writing.
Neither Bob nor Jakob are gonna win anyone’s “Hottest Guitar Player” poll. Both seem to recognize that the music is the vehicle for the words.
No titanic influence on the culture of THIS American. I found his "music" abrasive at best and not really reflective of what most Americans believe.
Darling of the American Left ala Woody Guthrie. He promoted class warfare.
The only song he wrote that I liked was "Like a Rolling Stone", which was done much better by the Young Rascals.
Good. He deserves the prize. He is a genius and a national treasure.
If Dylan ever learns to sing, there’ll be no stopping him...
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Don’t need to worry about that. Since everyone and their grandmas cover Dylan songs (imitation as the most sincere form of flattery), we have them to listen to for their lovely vocalizations.
I prefer the real thing - going to his concerts and buying his records.
Who said there are only two categories?
But, you will see those to whom I am referring. Those who have no strong feelings on Dylan one way or the other, usually do not post.
Then others, like you, will read into the comments that which was not there.
Bob Dylan BUMP!
The Pulitzer people may be morons, but at least they got something right.
I would rather it have been Sting. More intelligible, more *intelligent* lyrics, far more versatile at writing, etc., etc.
This year Dylan, next year Becker & Fagen...
I lost any semblance of respect for the Pulitzer when they gave an award to Molly Ivins.
One should not speak ill of the dead, so I will leave it at that.
Where would bve without the original thinkers who keep telling us the ignorant their deep thought that “Dylan can’t sing”. Could Louis Armstrong? Can Tom Waits? Who can sing? Pavarotti?
Unfortunately, you can’t play any of those Prizes on your record player, not even on an 8-track, and you can’t read them. Which makes them all meaningless, me thinks, just like the Halls of Fame.
They were actually right twice in one day: First, a Pulitzer for the cartoonist Michael Ramirez, and now one for Bob Dylan. I’m stunned!
For good reasons too. Dylan, IMHO, is actually far more conservative then his personna seems to project or as he is portayed or though of by those who worship the all mighty 'ANTI War' peacnik Bob.
I'm kidding! I'm kidding!
“Becker & Fagen...”
Now you’re talking!
Dylan did get caught up with the protest scene for a while, but came to his senses soon enough. Oh, the reactionaries were pissed when they heard these lyrics:
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin’ high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I
Proud ‘neath heated brow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
“Rip down all hate,” I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.
Girls’ faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.
A self-ordained professor’s tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
“Equality,” I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.
In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I’d become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.
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