Bob Dylan's Christmas Album: He'll Sleigh You

Washington Post ^ | October 13, 2009 | Chris Richards

[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."

[Red Badger]

The earliest 1st century Christian churches were primarily Jewish, and they remained Jewish in their traditions and worship practices. It wasn’t until the Gentiles started becoming Christians that the traditions and practices became more non-Jewish oriented. I used to live in the Ft. Lauderdale-Miami area and there are Christian Jews in significant numbers there.....

[don-o]

Lecture? Not even. I am ashamed of myself for even responding to your foolishness.

[La Lydia]

See Mr. Blonde’s comment at Number 33. You certainly have strong negative feelings about someone you know nothing about.

[gathersnomoss]

Everyone, please lighten up. Throw the Mrs. Miller album on the turntable, and enjoy!

[don-o]

Everyone, please lighten up.

Most. Useless. Comment. Ever.

[Mr. Blonde]

Tax breaks for charity are true for everyone, not just Bob Dylan.

Dylan never went to protests. Most of his protest songs were about the civil rights movement. Acting like he was a leader of the anti-war movement is patently false.

[gathersnomoss]

Everyone, please lighten up.
Most. Useless. Comment. Ever.

Now that you bring it up, what was I thinking?

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

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.

Talk about your mixed message!

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

The accordian on “Must Be Santa” has a definite klezmer sound!

[La Lydia]

To me it sounds like Norteña, as in Flaco Jimenez or someone like that. Guess it depend on your frame of reference!

[La Lydia]

I found it. It is David Hidalgo from Los Lobos playing the accordion.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Whatever it was, it was played at breakneak speed, which was hilarious.

[La Lydia]

Okay, I just listened to Here Comes Santa Claus and it, too, is a scream. Enough to make any normal child anxious!

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

And that reviewer wasn't kidding when he said 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' sounds like a reason to bolt your doors!

However, they all sound amusing/enjoyable. I might even get a copy myself.

[Mr. Blonde]

I can’t decide if it is awesome or awesomely bad.

Something tells me as long as I wait until everyone has had their fair share of......egg nog, everyone will love it.

[Pharmboy]

A good one...I think there’s a YouTube version.

[scott says]

Dylan Ping

[scott says]

You really are way off base about Dylan and the antiwar movement. Yes its true the goofball hippies tried to claim Dylan as “the voice of thier generation” and part of their movement-—But Bob rejected that and them.
There is a good story in A&E Biography on how Bob was asked by some big time protesters to come play at a huge gathering against the war, Bob told them that the Vietnam War protesters were “LOW LIFE SCUMBAGS”—that is a direct quote and that he would have NO PART of any of that. These protesters were blown away by his response because they were bummed to hear that Bob was not "one of them".
Please do not confuse the myth with the actual man-—he is a bit of a mystery and NOT what most people think.
He is actually really cool and somebody most of us conservatives would probably agree with more than not from what I have learned over many years.

[Atlas Sneezed]

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.

Talk about your mixed message!

---

Not really. It’s is right to give thanks to the Lord for one’s loving parents who add magic moments to childhood.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

...While the sparse "I'll Be Home for Christmas" sounds like a reason to bolt your doors.

lolol. Only Dylan could get a rave review that includes metaphors like that.

Oh boy, oh boy, Christmas is coming!