Bob Dylan: right-wing Christian? Encore

Thanks to John Carvill:

“Just read your article on the 'Dylan Redeemed' book today and it really made me angry. Surely you can't be taking this guy seriously?

“I haven't read the book (although I was vaguely aware of it), but if wikipedia can be believed (a question of faith?), the author is fairly obsessed with religion in general and Christianity in particular.

“He dismisses Mike Marqusee's work eh? Well he would, wouldn't he? Unlike Webb, Marqusee has a long and distinguished record as both a cultural and political commentator.

“Now we all know there's long been a spiritual dimension to Dylan's work, and he was using biblical imagery etc. long before the 'Born Again' period, so really the religion thing is old news, and for what it's worth Bob can be heard briefly 'discussing' his current position on religion with Jann Wenner in one of the audio clips recently made available on the Rolling Stone website. Bob doesn't demur when Wenner states that nowhere in the world is religion today a force for good.

“As for the politics, I'd advise anyone who's interested to read Marqusee's book 'Wicked Messenger', a brief summary of which might be: Dylan neither 'abandoned' leftist politics, nor did he ever fully embrace them. It's a nuanced and often contradictory affair, as are most aspects of Dylan's life and art. But in the broadest possible terms, here's the answer to your headline, is Bob right-wing:

“Q. Can Dylan be claimed 'for the Left'?
A. Well, yes, equivocally.

Q. Can Dylan be claimed 'for the Right'?
A. Unequivocally, no.”