The two shows in Mexico City continued the 2007/Dallas pattern of mixing up a rotating selection of classic ‘60s repertoire with picks promoting the last two albums.
The big surprise, though, according to the set lists on Bill Pagel’s wonderful boblinks.com site, was the installation in both shows of Blowin’ In The Wind as the final song of the encore.
Who can predict Uncle Bob? Not me, that’s for sure.
Gerry Smith
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Dylan: Muzak for busy shoppers - encore
Thanks to Andy Miller:
“Nottingham’s Waterstones (2nd floor) can often be relied on, with what seemed like a full run through of Bringing It All Back Home heard on more than one occasion these past years.”
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EARLIER RELATED ARTICLE:
Dylan: Muzak for busy shoppers
The Dylan Daily has faithfully documented how its favourite Minnesotan has been adopted by English mainstream culture. No longer the unwashed counter-cultural subversive, Zimmerman is now commoditised as a cuddly, granny-friendly nice man next door.
On a visit to the shops at lunchtime yesterday, in the market town of St Albans - quintessential Pleasantville - I was regaled not once, but twice, by Bobby Muzak.
Marks & Spencer, last refuge of Middle Englanders, treated me to Like A Rolling Stone, no less. Then, just along the High Street, Boots, the chemist chain, regaled me and its other lunchtime shoppers with Lay Lady Lay.
Do these retailers know what they’re unleashing?
Where will it all end?
“Nottingham’s Waterstones (2nd floor) can often be relied on, with what seemed like a full run through of Bringing It All Back Home heard on more than one occasion these past years.”
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EARLIER RELATED ARTICLE:
Dylan: Muzak for busy shoppers
The Dylan Daily has faithfully documented how its favourite Minnesotan has been adopted by English mainstream culture. No longer the unwashed counter-cultural subversive, Zimmerman is now commoditised as a cuddly, granny-friendly nice man next door.
On a visit to the shops at lunchtime yesterday, in the market town of St Albans - quintessential Pleasantville - I was regaled not once, but twice, by Bobby Muzak.
Marks & Spencer, last refuge of Middle Englanders, treated me to Like A Rolling Stone, no less. Then, just along the High Street, Boots, the chemist chain, regaled me and its other lunchtime shoppers with Lay Lady Lay.
Do these retailers know what they’re unleashing?
Where will it all end?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Dylan: Muzak for busy shoppers
The Dylan Daily has faithfully documented how Robert Z has been adopted by English mainstream culture. No longer the unwashed counter-cultural subversive, Zimmerman is now commoditised as a cuddly, granny-friendly nice man next door.
On a visit to the shops at lunchtime yesterday, in the market town of St Albans - quintessential Pleasantville - I was regaled not once, but twice, by Bobby Muzak.
Marks & Spencer, last refuge of Middle Englanders, treated me to Like A Rolling Stone, no less. Then, just along the High Street, Boots, the chemist chain, regaled me and its other lunchtime shoppers with Lay Lady Lay.
Do these retailers know what they’re unleashing?
Where will it all end?
Gerry Smith
On a visit to the shops at lunchtime yesterday, in the market town of St Albans - quintessential Pleasantville - I was regaled not once, but twice, by Bobby Muzak.
Marks & Spencer, last refuge of Middle Englanders, treated me to Like A Rolling Stone, no less. Then, just along the High Street, Boots, the chemist chain, regaled me and its other lunchtime shoppers with Lay Lady Lay.
Do these retailers know what they’re unleashing?
Where will it all end?
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tracking Dylan’s 162 official rarities
Having detailed the first 48 of Dylan’s 162 official rarities (the 1960s) in the February issue of Record Collector, discographer Evan Marshall continues his detailed catalogue with rarities 49-97 (1970s/80s) in the March issue.
It’s invaluable for serious collectors; pity the March issue isn’t another Dylan cover.
The remaining official rarities, numbers 98-162, will be covered in the April issue
Author Marshall credits long-time Dylan rarities discographer Alan Fraser, whose unmissable website, Searching for a Gem, has been doing the same job for the last ten years.
www.recordcollectormag.com
www.searchingforagem.com
Gerry Smith
It’s invaluable for serious collectors; pity the March issue isn’t another Dylan cover.
The remaining official rarities, numbers 98-162, will be covered in the April issue
Author Marshall credits long-time Dylan rarities discographer Alan Fraser, whose unmissable website, Searching for a Gem, has been doing the same job for the last ten years.
www.recordcollectormag.com
www.searchingforagem.com
Gerry Smith
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tour of 2008 starts strongly with trio of Dallas gigs
Bob Dylan’s 2008 tour started strongly with a three-night residency at the House Of Blues, in Dallas, Texas, a relatively small gig holding around 1,600. It acted as a warm-up for a five-country swing through Latin America, starting tomorrow in Mexico City.
Both the setlists and the band line-up suggest that the 2008 gigs will be a straight run-on from the format that proved so popular last year. Why change when you’re winning?
The three Dallas setlists – an ever-changing mixture of classic repertoire anchored around tunes from the current album, Modern Times – continued the pattern of introducing new tunes every night, thus reinforcing the addiction of habitual attenders.
In three Dallas nights, Dylan played a remarkable total of 35 different songs. Favourites I’d love to have heard included Girl Of The North Country, Positively 4th Street and Mississippi.
Whatever Dylan plays, of course, someone is bound to want to hear something else. Thanks to Martin Cowan for this note:
“Nice to see Bob on the road again and an interesting set list from the first two shows. My only comment is that while it's nice to see an abundance of recent songs in the sets it's a shame that he is almost completely ignoring 70s and 80s songs. A show with representatives from all decades would be good to see.”
Both the setlists and the band line-up suggest that the 2008 gigs will be a straight run-on from the format that proved so popular last year. Why change when you’re winning?
The three Dallas setlists – an ever-changing mixture of classic repertoire anchored around tunes from the current album, Modern Times – continued the pattern of introducing new tunes every night, thus reinforcing the addiction of habitual attenders.
In three Dallas nights, Dylan played a remarkable total of 35 different songs. Favourites I’d love to have heard included Girl Of The North Country, Positively 4th Street and Mississippi.
Whatever Dylan plays, of course, someone is bound to want to hear something else. Thanks to Martin Cowan for this note:
“Nice to see Bob on the road again and an interesting set list from the first two shows. My only comment is that while it's nice to see an abundance of recent songs in the sets it's a shame that he is almost completely ignoring 70s and 80s songs. A show with representatives from all decades would be good to see.”
Friday, February 22, 2008
Coffee bar chain to release new Dylan influences compilation
A well-known chain of foreign-owned coffee bars is to release Artist’s Choice - Bob Dylan, next week. The new CD assembles 16 tracks of the type Dylan has played on Theme Time Radio Hour, by musicians of the Stanley Brothers, Junior Wells and Billie Holiday vintage.
But, as with its Dylan Live At The Gaslight 1962 CD release, the “global” coffee bar company doesn’t supply online outside the US/Canada. How terribly quaint!
I assume the new CD won’t be available from local coffee bar outlets, either - I failed to find any evidence of the Gaslight CD in its central London branches last year.
I’d start to boycott the chain if I hadn’t been doing so for years. I never darken the doors of their coffee bars. Not for any ideological reasons, though – I just can’t bear to drink coffee from grossly oversized mugs, or to sit amongst serried ranks of shiny happy customers with too much time and money to waste. I choose to waste mine in Caffe Nero or Coffee Republic.
Gerry Smith
But, as with its Dylan Live At The Gaslight 1962 CD release, the “global” coffee bar company doesn’t supply online outside the US/Canada. How terribly quaint!
I assume the new CD won’t be available from local coffee bar outlets, either - I failed to find any evidence of the Gaslight CD in its central London branches last year.
I’d start to boycott the chain if I hadn’t been doing so for years. I never darken the doors of their coffee bars. Not for any ideological reasons, though – I just can’t bear to drink coffee from grossly oversized mugs, or to sit amongst serried ranks of shiny happy customers with too much time and money to waste. I choose to waste mine in Caffe Nero or Coffee Republic.
Gerry Smith
Thursday, February 21, 2008
More on Legacy’s Dylan podcasts
Thanks to Ian Woodward:
“The three Legacy podcasts devoted to Newport, Episodes 11-13, appear to be taken from a promotional CD issued in support of the Newport DVD released last year.
“The Patti Smith podcasts are from the four-CD promotional set issued in support of the DYLAN box-set release.
“Quite why Legacy should mix the two together is unclear. Perhaps it was simply a case that waiting until they had finished the Patti series would mean too large a time gap between podcasting the Newport episodes and last year's release of the DVD they are intended to promote.
“The programmes are indeed much more interesting than expected, such that a few excerpts will be included in my column in the next issue of ISIS magazine, due out in March.
“The four hours of Patti Smith programmes have been broadcast by some radio stations in the United States but I haven't heard of any broadcast of the Newport programme, which is believed to last one hour in total.”
“The three Legacy podcasts devoted to Newport, Episodes 11-13, appear to be taken from a promotional CD issued in support of the Newport DVD released last year.
“The Patti Smith podcasts are from the four-CD promotional set issued in support of the DYLAN box-set release.
“Quite why Legacy should mix the two together is unclear. Perhaps it was simply a case that waiting until they had finished the Patti series would mean too large a time gap between podcasting the Newport episodes and last year's release of the DVD they are intended to promote.
“The programmes are indeed much more interesting than expected, such that a few excerpts will be included in my column in the next issue of ISIS magazine, due out in March.
“The four hours of Patti Smith programmes have been broadcast by some radio stations in the United States but I haven't heard of any broadcast of the Newport programme, which is believed to last one hour in total.”
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
New episodes of Dylan podcasts
Legacy Recordings’ official Dylan podcasts have now reached programme 18. After losing Patti Smith as presenter for programmes 10-13, she’s been back for programmes 14-18.
The Legacy podcasts are free. And you can subscribe via iTunes to receive future episodes automatically.
http://blogs.legacyrecordings.com/podcast/category/bob-dylan-podcast/
Meanwhile, this month’s edition of Mel Prussack's unofficial Dyl-Time Theme Radio Hour podcast covers the theme of Tributes. According to the irrepressible Mel: “Advance reports say this is one of my best shows. I hope you enjoy it!”.
http://dylanshrine.podOmatic.com
Gerry Smith
The Legacy podcasts are free. And you can subscribe via iTunes to receive future episodes automatically.
http://blogs.legacyrecordings.com/podcast/category/bob-dylan-podcast/
Meanwhile, this month’s edition of Mel Prussack's unofficial Dyl-Time Theme Radio Hour podcast covers the theme of Tributes. According to the irrepressible Mel: “Advance reports say this is one of my best shows. I hope you enjoy it!”.
http://dylanshrine.podOmatic.com
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Dylan: big in Germany - encore
Thanks to Katrin Diez for her detailed account of Dylan’s visibility in Germany:
“I can tell you that Dylan is still very important in Germany, especially for better-educated people with good English knowledge. (Excuse my mistakes - I`ve been out of school for a very long time and am only used to reading, not writing).
We have in the town library of Frankfurt a lot of books about him
(Williams, Shepard, Klein, Detering ...) his Chronicles and several books with lyrics (the actual one and older works) and notes. And there are a lot of CDs.
It is not easy to get them, you have to order them because a lot of people are keen on reading or listening.
In the ‘70s a lot of teachers were fans and it was normal to discuss the songs during the lessons, but even now my daughter learned some songs and my son had to play Blowin’ in the Wind on flute in a school concert.
Nearly every big bookshop with a musical department offers books about Dylan. And you can order everything at amazon.de or jpc.de - there are about hundreds of entries. And you can buy nearly everything at ebay.de.
The popularity of Dylan is shown in the fact that Germany has held the only art exhibition of his drawings. And there were a lot of articles about it in the press.
On special occasions (Dylan’s birthday) they show Don`t Look Back or other movies on TV. These days there are a lot of ads for the new movie everywhere.
Here are some new German books about Dylan:
* Bob Dylan - Ein Kongress, Herausgeber; Axel Honneth, Peter Kemper & Richard Klein, Edition Suhrkamp 2007
* Richard Klein - My name it is nothing: Bob Dylan: Nicht Pop Nicht Kunst, Lukas Verlag 2006
* Olaf Benzinger - Bob Dylan Seine Musik und sein Leben, Deutscher Taschenbuchverlag 2006
* Heinrich Detering - Bob Dylan, Reclamverlag 2006.”
“I can tell you that Dylan is still very important in Germany, especially for better-educated people with good English knowledge. (Excuse my mistakes - I`ve been out of school for a very long time and am only used to reading, not writing).
We have in the town library of Frankfurt a lot of books about him
(Williams, Shepard, Klein, Detering ...) his Chronicles and several books with lyrics (the actual one and older works) and notes. And there are a lot of CDs.
It is not easy to get them, you have to order them because a lot of people are keen on reading or listening.
In the ‘70s a lot of teachers were fans and it was normal to discuss the songs during the lessons, but even now my daughter learned some songs and my son had to play Blowin’ in the Wind on flute in a school concert.
Nearly every big bookshop with a musical department offers books about Dylan. And you can order everything at amazon.de or jpc.de - there are about hundreds of entries. And you can buy nearly everything at ebay.de.
The popularity of Dylan is shown in the fact that Germany has held the only art exhibition of his drawings. And there were a lot of articles about it in the press.
On special occasions (Dylan’s birthday) they show Don`t Look Back or other movies on TV. These days there are a lot of ads for the new movie everywhere.
Here are some new German books about Dylan:
* Bob Dylan - Ein Kongress, Herausgeber; Axel Honneth, Peter Kemper & Richard Klein, Edition Suhrkamp 2007
* Richard Klein - My name it is nothing: Bob Dylan: Nicht Pop Nicht Kunst, Lukas Verlag 2006
* Olaf Benzinger - Bob Dylan Seine Musik und sein Leben, Deutscher Taschenbuchverlag 2006
* Heinrich Detering - Bob Dylan, Reclamverlag 2006.”
Suze Rotolo’s memoir: encore
Thanks to Ian Woodward:
“I, too, am looking forward to Suze Rotolo's memoir but my impression, from the title as much as anything else, is that it will be about her life, times and activities in Greenwich Village as a whole, in the 1960s, of which her relationship with Dylan was but a part.
“Of course, a publisher is almost bound to stress the Dylan part of the book, particularly any salacious aspects, and may even have pushed her to increase the Dylan content, but I suspect the book will be as interesting for providing contextual background as detail.
“The press release, which I didn't see but it must have been a press release as quite a number of different newspapers reproduced identical texts, concentrated almost entirely on the Dylan connection. If I am right, then this press release may be understandable but misleading.”
“I, too, am looking forward to Suze Rotolo's memoir but my impression, from the title as much as anything else, is that it will be about her life, times and activities in Greenwich Village as a whole, in the 1960s, of which her relationship with Dylan was but a part.
“Of course, a publisher is almost bound to stress the Dylan part of the book, particularly any salacious aspects, and may even have pushed her to increase the Dylan content, but I suspect the book will be as interesting for providing contextual background as detail.
“The press release, which I didn't see but it must have been a press release as quite a number of different newspapers reproduced identical texts, concentrated almost entirely on the Dylan connection. If I am right, then this press release may be understandable but misleading.”
Monday, February 18, 2008
Dylan: big in Germany!
I should know better by now: on my frequent trips to German-speaking Europe, I’m always surprised that Dylan’s had such a big impact. I should have realized long ago that Germany/Austria/Switzerland is a one of the major Dylan markets – much bigger, for example, than France or Spain.
An indication of strong German-speaking interest in Zim can be gauged in any good bookshop. On a recent trip to Vienna, I picked up five Dylan books completely new to me:
* Biermann, Wolf,
Bob Dylan Eleven Outlined Epitaphs/Elf Entwurfe fur meinen Grabspruch, Koln, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, hbk, 2003, 156pp.
* Rosteck, Jens,
Bob Dylan: Leben, Werk, Wirkung, Frankfurt, Suhrkamp BasisBiographie, pbk, 2006, 160pp.
* Honneth, Axel et al,
Bob Dylan Ein Kongress: Ergebnisse Des Internationalen Bob Dylan-Kongresses 2006 In Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Suhrkamp, pbk, 2007, 346pp.
* Williams, Christian (trans),
Bob Dylan In Eigenen Worten, Heidelberg, Palmyra, hbk, 2001, 153pp.
* Stein, Georg,
Bob Dylan, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers And Roger McGuinn: Temples In Flames, Heidelberg, Palmyra, hbk, 1989, 94pp.
The Dylan Daily would be pleased to learn from German-speaking readers just how big Dylan really is in Germany/Austria/Switzerland.
I’d also like to hear about recommended German-language books I’ve missed.
Gerry Smith
An indication of strong German-speaking interest in Zim can be gauged in any good bookshop. On a recent trip to Vienna, I picked up five Dylan books completely new to me:
* Biermann, Wolf,
Bob Dylan Eleven Outlined Epitaphs/Elf Entwurfe fur meinen Grabspruch, Koln, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, hbk, 2003, 156pp.
* Rosteck, Jens,
Bob Dylan: Leben, Werk, Wirkung, Frankfurt, Suhrkamp BasisBiographie, pbk, 2006, 160pp.
* Honneth, Axel et al,
Bob Dylan Ein Kongress: Ergebnisse Des Internationalen Bob Dylan-Kongresses 2006 In Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Suhrkamp, pbk, 2007, 346pp.
* Williams, Christian (trans),
Bob Dylan In Eigenen Worten, Heidelberg, Palmyra, hbk, 2001, 153pp.
* Stein, Georg,
Bob Dylan, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers And Roger McGuinn: Temples In Flames, Heidelberg, Palmyra, hbk, 1989, 94pp.
The Dylan Daily would be pleased to learn from German-speaking readers just how big Dylan really is in Germany/Austria/Switzerland.
I’d also like to hear about recommended German-language books I’ve missed.
Gerry Smith
Friday, February 15, 2008
Suze Rotolo’s memoir of life in NYC
A Freewheelin’ Time: A Memoir Of Greenwich Village in the Sixties, Suze Rotolo’s memoir of life in NYC with Dylan, is a mouth-watering prospect. Rotolo was easily the second most compelling interviewee on No Direction Home; I hung on her every word.
The recent PR for the book might have focused on salacious personal tittle-tattle, but that’s decidedly not what interests me. No, the interest lies purely in the insights a very intelligent woman might provide on the formative period of a great artist.
The important bit of the recent press wasn’t the personal stuff, but the claim that, by early February, Rotolo hadn’t handed in the manuscript to the publisher.
Whether Broadway Books will now be able to meet its advertised 13 May publication date is debatable: possible, but unlikely. Not that it’ll matter much: after waiting for 45 years for this potential gold dust, another few weeks will make no difference.
Make no mistake: Suze Rotolo’s memoir could be the most important topic covered by The Dylan Daily this year.
Watch this space …
Gerry Smith
The recent PR for the book might have focused on salacious personal tittle-tattle, but that’s decidedly not what interests me. No, the interest lies purely in the insights a very intelligent woman might provide on the formative period of a great artist.
The important bit of the recent press wasn’t the personal stuff, but the claim that, by early February, Rotolo hadn’t handed in the manuscript to the publisher.
Whether Broadway Books will now be able to meet its advertised 13 May publication date is debatable: possible, but unlikely. Not that it’ll matter much: after waiting for 45 years for this potential gold dust, another few weeks will make no difference.
Make no mistake: Suze Rotolo’s memoir could be the most important topic covered by The Dylan Daily this year.
Watch this space …
Gerry Smith
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Barry Feinstein’s Dylan photos for Birmingham’s Snap Galleries
Birmingham’s Snap Galleries is to exhibit Barry Feinstein’s collection of historic Dylan photographs, for the first time in the UK.
Opening on Saturday 3 May, to coincide with the publication of Real Moments, Feinstein’s new hardcover book of Dylan photos, the exhibition will feature work which hasn’t been shown or offered for sale before.
Dylan Daily readers will be familiar with Barry Feinstein’s work. As the official photographer on the 1966 tour, he shot the cover pic on the No Direction Home CD and DVD, of Dylan standing outside a car at Aust Ferry, while waiting for the ferry across the River Severn.
The Real Moments book will also be available from Snap Galleries, at £25. While the book will probably be available cheaper elsewhere, Snap Galleries will be bundling its Dylan exhibition poster for customers buying it from them.
To mark his first UK Dylan exhibition, the photographer will be offering a special package deal - a copy of his book, plus a framed Dylan photograph from 1966 chosen and signed by Feinstein, at around £250. This will be “a one-time offer and a chance to own a signed Barry Feinstein photograph for a keen price”.
Every photo in the exhibition will be for sale, in a range of sizes, with prices for a signed handmade 16” x 20” silver gelatin photograph starting at around £1,000. Other sizes will be available, including bespoke pieces in a particular size.
Snap Galleries already has a small number of Barry Feinstein's 1966 photographs online here:
http://gallery.mac.com/guywhite#100271
Snap’s Guy White promises “plenty of very loud '66 electric Dylan blasting out throughout the show.” And he’s appealing to Dylan collectors for CDs of “unissued live material from ‘66”.
Gerry Smith
Opening on Saturday 3 May, to coincide with the publication of Real Moments, Feinstein’s new hardcover book of Dylan photos, the exhibition will feature work which hasn’t been shown or offered for sale before.
Dylan Daily readers will be familiar with Barry Feinstein’s work. As the official photographer on the 1966 tour, he shot the cover pic on the No Direction Home CD and DVD, of Dylan standing outside a car at Aust Ferry, while waiting for the ferry across the River Severn.
The Real Moments book will also be available from Snap Galleries, at £25. While the book will probably be available cheaper elsewhere, Snap Galleries will be bundling its Dylan exhibition poster for customers buying it from them.
To mark his first UK Dylan exhibition, the photographer will be offering a special package deal - a copy of his book, plus a framed Dylan photograph from 1966 chosen and signed by Feinstein, at around £250. This will be “a one-time offer and a chance to own a signed Barry Feinstein photograph for a keen price”.
Every photo in the exhibition will be for sale, in a range of sizes, with prices for a signed handmade 16” x 20” silver gelatin photograph starting at around £1,000. Other sizes will be available, including bespoke pieces in a particular size.
Snap Galleries already has a small number of Barry Feinstein's 1966 photographs online here:
http://gallery.mac.com/guywhite#100271
Snap’s Guy White promises “plenty of very loud '66 electric Dylan blasting out throughout the show.” And he’s appealing to Dylan collectors for CDs of “unissued live material from ‘66”.
Gerry Smith
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
New low price for Dylan albums – encore
Thanks to Andrew Kelly
“I was in Tesco in the Old Kent Road, London today, where there are about six copies of the 3 disc set of Traveling Wilburys (2 albums + dvd) at £12.
“No sign of the Leonard C or other Dylan stuff mentioned in a previous posting though.”
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EARLIER RELATED ARTICLE:
New low price for Dylan (and Cohen) albums
The major supermarket chains have driven down CD/DVD/book prices just as much the online retailers and digital downloads. Pity the poor specialist music retailers (only joking!)
But I never thought I’d ever see prime Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen albums retailing at £2.50 each!
Tesco are selling a load of Sony 2-fers including boxed sets of Dylan’s Time Out Of Mind and “Love And Theft”, and Leonard Cohen’s Songs Of Leonard Cohen and Songs Of Love And Hate for £5 each – that’s just £2.50 per album. I paid £15 each for some of these - when £15 seemed like a lot of money!
Will top albums soon be available at £1 each? I wouldn’t bet against it.
Gerry Smith
“I was in Tesco in the Old Kent Road, London today, where there are about six copies of the 3 disc set of Traveling Wilburys (2 albums + dvd) at £12.
“No sign of the Leonard C or other Dylan stuff mentioned in a previous posting though.”
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EARLIER RELATED ARTICLE:
New low price for Dylan (and Cohen) albums
The major supermarket chains have driven down CD/DVD/book prices just as much the online retailers and digital downloads. Pity the poor specialist music retailers (only joking!)
But I never thought I’d ever see prime Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen albums retailing at £2.50 each!
Tesco are selling a load of Sony 2-fers including boxed sets of Dylan’s Time Out Of Mind and “Love And Theft”, and Leonard Cohen’s Songs Of Leonard Cohen and Songs Of Love And Hate for £5 each – that’s just £2.50 per album. I paid £15 each for some of these - when £15 seemed like a lot of money!
Will top albums soon be available at £1 each? I wouldn’t bet against it.
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Theme Time Radio Hour: reminder of a third CD of Dylan selections
Thanks to Fred for jogging my memory: as reported on The Dylan Daily last summer, the August 2007 issue of Uncut had a very collectable free CD, Radio Bob – “15 Brilliant Tracks from Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour”, plus a short article on “the coolest radio show ever”.
Fred writes a running commentary on TTRH and “has just blogged about the various TTRH-associated CDs here ...
http://www.dreamtimepodcast.com/2008/02/theme-time-radio-hour-cds-list.html
Fred continues ... “as far as I know, that's the complete list, although the other two were both promotional CDs.”
Gerry Smith
Fred writes a running commentary on TTRH and “has just blogged about the various TTRH-associated CDs here ...
http://www.dreamtimepodcast.com/2008/02/theme-time-radio-hour-cds-list.html
Fred continues ... “as far as I know, that's the complete list, although the other two were both promotional CDs.”
Gerry Smith
Monday, February 11, 2008
Theme Time Radio Hour: another selection of Dylan selections
Up against the forthcoming Ace Records release covered here last Friday, there’s a competitive CD of Dylan selections from Theme Time Radio Hour.
Bob Dylan: The Best Of Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour is a 2CD set produced by Chrome Dreams in association with fanzine ISIS.
Though similar in length – 52 tracks to Ace’s 50 – the Chrome Dreams product has a very different selection. It presents one song from every one of the shows in the first series. It has sleeve notes by ISIS main man Derek Barker – a guarantee of informed writing. And it’s cheaper.
So which to choose, Ace or Chrome Dreams?
I’m not normally a fence sitter, but the musical content of these two products is so very different, and so very strong, that I’d buy both - if I hadn’t heard all the shows on the radio.
If you know of any other recent releases in this genre, please let me know.
Gerry Smith
Bob Dylan: The Best Of Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour is a 2CD set produced by Chrome Dreams in association with fanzine ISIS.
Though similar in length – 52 tracks to Ace’s 50 – the Chrome Dreams product has a very different selection. It presents one song from every one of the shows in the first series. It has sleeve notes by ISIS main man Derek Barker – a guarantee of informed writing. And it’s cheaper.
So which to choose, Ace or Chrome Dreams?
I’m not normally a fence sitter, but the musical content of these two products is so very different, and so very strong, that I’d buy both - if I hadn’t heard all the shows on the radio.
If you know of any other recent releases in this genre, please let me know.
Gerry Smith
Friday, February 08, 2008
Theme Time Radio Hour: selection of selections on new CD
Respected reissues label Ace Records has put its brand name behind a new 2CD set of selections from tracks Dylan played on his magical Theme Time Radio Hour. It’s set for release next month.
Claiming that theirs is the “only authorised” version of Dylan’s picks from the show, Ace’s new package includes tracks by the White Stripes, Billie Holiday, George Jones and Charles Mingus, plus 46 others.
Thanks to Kevin Lewis for links to record label and an English online supplier:
www.acerecords.co.uk/
www.spincds.com/product.asp?id=9015154
Gerry Smith
Claiming that theirs is the “only authorised” version of Dylan’s picks from the show, Ace’s new package includes tracks by the White Stripes, Billie Holiday, George Jones and Charles Mingus, plus 46 others.
Thanks to Kevin Lewis for links to record label and an English online supplier:
www.acerecords.co.uk/
www.spincds.com/product.asp?id=9015154
Gerry Smith
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Memphis Minnie blues references in Modern Times
Thanks to Vinnie Del Basso:
There are several Memphis Minnie blues references in Modern Times. Here are a couple:
THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN:
I was thinkin' 'bout Alicia Keys, couldn't keep from crying
When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line
I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee
Compare the Memphis Minnie song, MA RAINEY:
I was thinking about Ma Rainey, wonder where could Ma Rainey be
I was thinking about Ma Rainey, wonder where could Ma Rainey be
I been looking for her, even been 'n old Tennessee
She was born in Georgia, traveled all over this world
She was born in Georgia, traveled all over this world
And she's the best blues singer, peoples, I ever heard
When she made Bo Weavil Blues, I was living way down the line
When she made Bo Weavil Blues, I was living way down the line
Every time I hear that record, I just couldn't keep from crying
* Note 1: Minnie's tribute to Ma Rainey was recorded about six months after Ma Rainey's death;
* Note 2: Bo Weavil Blues, recorded in December 1923, was Ma Rainey's first record and it was also her first hit.
WORKING MAN'S BLUES #2:
I got a brand new suit and a brand new wife
I can live on rice and beans
Compare the song DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS:
Well, my man is a doctor and he lives off of rice and beans
Well, my man is a doctor and he lives off of rice and beans
That's why he done gone and left me back down in New Orleans
* Note 1: rice and beans, though usually "red beans and rice" is used by countless others as an evocation of "back downhome";
All lyrics quoted are used for the purpose of criticism or review.
Thunder On The Mountain, by Bob Dylan, Copyright © 2006 Special Rider Music.
Workingman’s Blues #2, by Bob Dylan, Copyright © 2006 Special Rider Music.
There are several Memphis Minnie blues references in Modern Times. Here are a couple:
THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN:
I was thinkin' 'bout Alicia Keys, couldn't keep from crying
When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line
I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee
Compare the Memphis Minnie song, MA RAINEY:
I was thinking about Ma Rainey, wonder where could Ma Rainey be
I was thinking about Ma Rainey, wonder where could Ma Rainey be
I been looking for her, even been 'n old Tennessee
She was born in Georgia, traveled all over this world
She was born in Georgia, traveled all over this world
And she's the best blues singer, peoples, I ever heard
When she made Bo Weavil Blues, I was living way down the line
When she made Bo Weavil Blues, I was living way down the line
Every time I hear that record, I just couldn't keep from crying
* Note 1: Minnie's tribute to Ma Rainey was recorded about six months after Ma Rainey's death;
* Note 2: Bo Weavil Blues, recorded in December 1923, was Ma Rainey's first record and it was also her first hit.
WORKING MAN'S BLUES #2:
I got a brand new suit and a brand new wife
I can live on rice and beans
Compare the song DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS:
Well, my man is a doctor and he lives off of rice and beans
Well, my man is a doctor and he lives off of rice and beans
That's why he done gone and left me back down in New Orleans
* Note 1: rice and beans, though usually "red beans and rice" is used by countless others as an evocation of "back downhome";
All lyrics quoted are used for the purpose of criticism or review.
Thunder On The Mountain, by Bob Dylan, Copyright © 2006 Special Rider Music.
Workingman’s Blues #2, by Bob Dylan, Copyright © 2006 Special Rider Music.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Your favourite Dylan song: encore, encore
Thanks to Peter Truin:
“I'd always thought that I was, perhaps, the only one whose choice song was Sad Eyed Lady, but now I know I am not alone.
“For a long time I found it very difficult to choose just one, there are so many songs that could easily be considered a favourite while actually listening to them. For many years I thought Positively 4th Street was it, then Blind Willie McTell, then Series of Dreams, and for a short time, Not Dark Yet, and I am not too proud to admit to liking LARS.
“However, over the last few years, I have come to realise that Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, was the one that I have really preferred all along. I just love the song, from the wonderful opening bars (it's such a contrast to the preceding track on the album) through all those marvellous lyrics, to the long closing instrumental.
“When I am listening to it, despite its great length, I wish it would never end, and I am rarely able to play it just once.
“This has taken a long time to write because, of course, I had to stop to listen to the song (I couldn't concentrate on writing while listening to that superb music) and I ended up spending an hour playing it five times! Now that I have finished writing, I think I'll play it just once more ...”
And thanks to Nick Kolodziejski:
“I would have to say that Visions of Johanna would get my vote. It's sad and confusing, but in a wonderful way.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Which is your favourite Dylan song? Please send me a note of your top Bob song (to: topsong@dylandaily.com). I’ll post replies and, if we get enough, I’ll also compile a ranked list.
Thanks, in advance - Gerry Smith.
“I'd always thought that I was, perhaps, the only one whose choice song was Sad Eyed Lady, but now I know I am not alone.
“For a long time I found it very difficult to choose just one, there are so many songs that could easily be considered a favourite while actually listening to them. For many years I thought Positively 4th Street was it, then Blind Willie McTell, then Series of Dreams, and for a short time, Not Dark Yet, and I am not too proud to admit to liking LARS.
“However, over the last few years, I have come to realise that Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, was the one that I have really preferred all along. I just love the song, from the wonderful opening bars (it's such a contrast to the preceding track on the album) through all those marvellous lyrics, to the long closing instrumental.
“When I am listening to it, despite its great length, I wish it would never end, and I am rarely able to play it just once.
“This has taken a long time to write because, of course, I had to stop to listen to the song (I couldn't concentrate on writing while listening to that superb music) and I ended up spending an hour playing it five times! Now that I have finished writing, I think I'll play it just once more ...”
And thanks to Nick Kolodziejski:
“I would have to say that Visions of Johanna would get my vote. It's sad and confusing, but in a wonderful way.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Which is your favourite Dylan song? Please send me a note of your top Bob song (to: topsong@dylandaily.com). I’ll post replies and, if we get enough, I’ll also compile a ranked list.
Thanks, in advance - Gerry Smith.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Your favourite Dylan song: encore, encore
Thanks to Martin Cowan:
“I'd go for Sad Eyed Lady as favourite song, with the Hard Rain version of Idiot Wind as my favourite performance.”
Which is your favourite Dylan song? Please send me a note of your top Bob song (to: topsong@dylandaily.com). I’ll post replies and, if we get enough, I’ll also compile a ranked list. Thanks, in advance - Gerry Smith.
“I'd go for Sad Eyed Lady as favourite song, with the Hard Rain version of Idiot Wind as my favourite performance.”
Which is your favourite Dylan song? Please send me a note of your top Bob song (to: topsong@dylandaily.com). I’ll post replies and, if we get enough, I’ll also compile a ranked list. Thanks, in advance - Gerry Smith.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Your favourite Dylan song: encore, encore
Thanks to David Carter in Brettenham, England:
“Sitting here clutching the original single in one hand and Greil Marcus's book with matching label in the other, it has to be LARS (Like A Rolling Stone).
“Keep up the good work in supplying my daily fix of BD!”
Although it’s deeply unfashionable to admit it in Zimmermanfanland, I have to agree with David. Ever since release, LARS has always been my fave Bob song – Gerry Smith.
“Sitting here clutching the original single in one hand and Greil Marcus's book with matching label in the other, it has to be LARS (Like A Rolling Stone).
“Keep up the good work in supplying my daily fix of BD!”
Although it’s deeply unfashionable to admit it in Zimmermanfanland, I have to agree with David. Ever since release, LARS has always been my fave Bob song – Gerry Smith.
Dylan’s 11 Outlined Epitaphs
OK. I remembered that Dylan’s 11 Outlined Epitaphs, an early indication that here was a writer who took himself seriously, is reprinted on the sleeve notes of The Time They Are A-Changin’, in Lyrics 1962-1985 (but not, surprisingly, in Lyrics 1962-2001) and also on bobdylan.com.
But, on a trip to Vienna last week, I still couldn’t resist buying a copy of Bob Dylan Eleven Outlined Epitaphs/Elf Entwurfe fur meienen Garbspruch, by Wolf Biermann.
Why, I wondered later, had I shelled out 18 euro on a little book whose English text I already had several times over and whose German translation I’d probably never even attempt?
Simply because it’s a beautiful artefact, maybe the finest looking book in my Dylan collection. Presented in the small hardback format familiar to poetry readers, Biermann’s translation is an art object. It subtly underlines Dylan’s position as a creative artist bridging the yawning gulf between pop and high culture.
If you’re a collector, it’s a fine addition to the shelves.
Bob Dylan Eleven Outlined Epitaphs/Elf Entwurfe fur meienen Garbspruch, by Wolf Biermann, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Koln, hbk, 2003.
www.kiwi-koeln.de
Gerry Smith
But, on a trip to Vienna last week, I still couldn’t resist buying a copy of Bob Dylan Eleven Outlined Epitaphs/Elf Entwurfe fur meienen Garbspruch, by Wolf Biermann.
Why, I wondered later, had I shelled out 18 euro on a little book whose English text I already had several times over and whose German translation I’d probably never even attempt?
Simply because it’s a beautiful artefact, maybe the finest looking book in my Dylan collection. Presented in the small hardback format familiar to poetry readers, Biermann’s translation is an art object. It subtly underlines Dylan’s position as a creative artist bridging the yawning gulf between pop and high culture.
If you’re a collector, it’s a fine addition to the shelves.
Bob Dylan Eleven Outlined Epitaphs/Elf Entwurfe fur meienen Garbspruch, by Wolf Biermann, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Koln, hbk, 2003.
www.kiwi-koeln.de
Gerry Smith
Friday, February 01, 2008
Basement Tapes, Every Grain Of Sand and Carribbean Wind under scrutiny
Thanks to Paul Thomas for a link to some of his Dylan writing:
“For three major articles on some of Dylan's finest works - 'Every Grain Of Sand', 'Carribbean Wind' and a controversial item on some of the sexual content to be found in 'The Basement Tapes' - go to the blog(s) linked below.”
www.myspace.com/paullyricist
“For three major articles on some of Dylan's finest works - 'Every Grain Of Sand', 'Carribbean Wind' and a controversial item on some of the sexual content to be found in 'The Basement Tapes' - go to the blog(s) linked below.”
www.myspace.com/paullyricist
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