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Steve April
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10/14/2016 6:11:53 PM
Way back in the early 90s, I worked on a mss. called "Singers", and a chapter was devote to Dylan. (unfinished, maybe someday lol)
In all humility, Dylan's work is a mixed bag, in my humble view.
On the plus side, a few notes...
1. He was the voice of the 60s and 70s, became a (involontary) spokesperson of the Baby Boomer generation, received fame and accolades, and cast a large influence on rock'n pop music history, no doubt. After all, the Beatles count him as a major influence, on the lyric side f'sure.
2. His albums through the mid 70s, through Desire I'd say are fabulous intelligent, visionary concoctions at their best, and his range of styles, folk, rock, even country, (and gospel later) are impressive, and connote large breadth and scope.
3. However, through the 80s and through the present, his stuff is uneven at best. Yes, there are a few great songs here and there in the last 35 years or so lol. Among my favs are "Dignity" (great song, almost unknown though), "Things Change," (great song and video, kinda shocking, Dylan at his most provocative lol), to name a couple.
4. On the other hand, many of his songs from the 80s to now, I would not add to a station on this site lol. Yes, it's true. First, his voice is deteriorating, too many cigarettes, what was gravelly character becomes nausea through a megaphone imhv.
5. Also, he was accused of plagirism on his "Love And Theft" album, and when you see his lyrics side by side with the Yakuzi memoir, well, suffice it to say, there's an irony there, putting this in the most favorable light to Bob.
Anyway, in my view is he's a complex artist, with ups and downs.
His book Chronicles is pretty darn impressive, and literary, and free wheelin', and very creative, and I think his "literary" side is also being rewarded with this prize. Well done, Bob. "Don't ask me nothin' about nothin'/I just might tell you the truth." LOL
"Mama take this badge offa me..."
"Hey Mr. Tambourine Man..."
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