Posted on 10/13/2009 6:01:52 AM PDT by La Lydia
This Christmas season, parents will introduce their children to a legendary sage from northern climes renowned for his unsettling facial hair and unmistakable voice. This man is, of course, Bob Dylan. His first-ever holiday album, "Christmas in the Heart," arrives today, with the 68-year-old ripping through a gaggle of jaunty Christmas carols as if they were so much gift wrap...it's a bizarre and bewildering collection that embodies the rough-hewn traditionalism and forehead-slapping surrealism that's defined Dylan's career. The man's serrated croon isn't just jarring -- it actually gives these chirpy old chestnuts a sense of menace.
And it is awesome.
The arrangements on "Christmas in the Heart" are both overtly cheerful and staunchly by-the-numbers, making Dylan's beleaguered croak sound both maddening and sentimental, kinda like the Christmas season itself.
He throws down the gauntlet immediately with the twinkling pep of "Here Comes Santa Claus," one of the most annoying carols ever written. "Here comes Santa Claus/Here comes Santa Claus/Right down Santa Claus lane," Dylan rasps, making yuletide glee feel more like lunacy. "Must Be Santa" ramps up the insanity to even dizzier levels, with accordions moaning and cymbals crashing away at the speed of polka.
...the slower carols feel creepy...the sparse "I'll Be Home for Christmas" sounds like a reason to bolt your doors...
So...don't let Dec. 25 pass you by without hearing Dylan's take on Mel Torme's beloved "Christmas Song."
As ever, chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost is nipping at your nose -- but this time, the man behind the microphone sounds as if he's trying to dislodge a piece of tinsel from his throat: "Although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
He throws down the gauntlet immediately with the twinkling pep of “Here Comes Santa Claus,” one of the most annoying carols ever written.
Here comes Santa Claus,
Here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus Lane,
He’ll come around when chimes ring out,
It’s Christmas time again.
Peace on earth will come to all,
If we just follow the light,
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.
I suspect he would be dead first. I read his biography several years ago and he is weirdly conservative. Doesn’t have much use for pop.
I listened to a few cuts from the album. The vocals were terrible and could possibly the most depressing Christmas album ever!
Bob’s Jewish. I don’t think he will be singing “Joy to the World”................
I have an old 78 of Here Comes Santa Claus by Gene Autrey that I found at a used record store about 15 years ago. He pronounces it “Here comes SannaClaws.”
Why? Time Out of Mind (1997), Love & Theft (2001) and Modern Times (2006) are among his best. I enjoyed his first album of this year Together Through Life as well, but it isn’t as strong as those three.
When did he do that?............
I believe he became a Christian a while ago, so don’t expect him singing “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, I Made it Out of Clay...”
“Always have considered Dylan overrated.”
Same here. I think a lot of people liked him because they thought they had to.
I didn’t know he converted to Christianity! GOOD FOR HIM!.........
I lose my sense of humor when my ears are assaulted.
1980s. It was big news. See Wikipedia.
Dylan was never a part of the anti-war movement although he did write a few anti-war songs. The albums considered his best don’t have any anti-war songs on them. It is amazing how associated with that he is, when he never showed up at protests and by this point the protest songs he did are so overwhelmed by other types of songs as to be a tiny percentage of his catalog.
Muh-muh nuh muh-muh muh-muhhhhh
Muh-muh nuh-muh-muh-muh-muh-muh muhhhhhh.....
I was busy in the 80’s.............
That’s a good analysis. Guess I was caught up in how his songs were used by the Left. Near as I can tell, at least now, he has no political philosophy. Apparently, he’s just a loner who likes to write and sing (or whatever that sound is).
I think as long as he gets to keep doing the Never Ending Tour he figures politicians can work their side of the street and he can work his. He did say his favorite politician of the 60s was Barry Goldwater.
Wow, I’m shocked. My favorite quote from him is his response when asked about Joan Baez” “Best piece of XXX I ever had.”
I believe he converted to Christianity some time ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjG9OkKcEc0
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