the greatest rock'n'roll site in the world: His Bobness 1997- 2007 - The Second Golden Age

Bob Dylan throughout the sixties. Bottom shot with Johnny Cash - 1969 'Nashville Skyline' sessions.

For as long as I can recall I have been a fan of Bob Dylan. Growing up I had the musical advantage of older brothers. Before I was ten I was well versed in not only Dylan but Bowie, Lou Reed (and the Velvets), Neil Young and the Stones (not to mention the Punk Rock scene that had taken over : Ramones, Talking Heads, Buzzcocks, The Saints, Pistols etc). It was a foundation that was to serve me well as all of these acts are still on high rotation at my place. To pick a favourite from this lot would be near impossible. I've listened to them countless times. I would say without hesitation that I'm more likely to hear something new in a Dylan song then any of the others. This is remarakable considering a huge number of them are pre electric and limited to Bob with an acoustic guitar. Its testament to the depth of the man's work that I say this.

I've tried to verbally explain some of the theories that I'm going to attempt to extrapolate over the next couple of posts to a few friends of late and have found myself frustrated with my inability to give clarity to my thoughts. With luck I will find the written word a more responsive ally.

The 1960s will forever be remembered as the decade of Dylan's songs. From his arrival in New York in '61 through the early masterpieces, the 1966 'electric', the bike accident right up until the release of 1969's 'Nashville Skyline', Dylan gave voice to politically motivated and culturally aware men and women of the 1960s. Dylan flatly rejected the 'voice of a generation' claim but his music spoke to the times. This was sometimes adopted sometimes planned. In August 1963 he performed at the Lincoln Memorial at the 'March on Washington' rally, a 'support act' to Martin Luther King, Jr. King delivered the 'I have a Dream' speech to 250 000 supporters. It was a defining moment of the civil rights movement and Dylan placed himself in the middle of it. His early songs ('blowing in the wind', 'times they are a changing' etc) became the anthems of the 60s counter culturalist. He captured the spirit of the times in his songs like no one else could. History will forever remember Dylan's music as the soundtrack of the 1960s.
If Nashville Skyline was his swansong never too be heard of again his greatness would of assured him a place beside the likes of Picasso and Hemmingway as the most significant forces in 20th Century Culture. Of course Bob did move past the '60s many argue his best didn't arrive until '75s 'Blood on the Tracks'. From the mid 70s until 1997 Dylan remained productive but his output fell well short of his best. Personally I believe that Dylan's last great album of his golden period was 1976's 'Desire'. It marked the end of a run of 16 albums from 1961. I cannot think of another artist who could come close to matching this feat.
What followed were years of wilderness were Dylan threatened to fade into irrelevancy. His follow up to 'Desire', 'Street Legal' was a bombastic cabaret sounding affair. A full rock/pop ensemble were assembled including female backing vocalist. Elvis may of been able to pull off Vegas but it didn't work for Bob. In 1979 he announced to the world his conversion to Christianity with the release of 'Slow Train Coming', the first of a what proved to be a trilogy of Christian albums. To say it left Dylantologist confused was an understatement. A stint of devout Judaism followed as did a series of poor records. There were a few minor exceptions, 1989's 'Oh Mercy' certainly has moments but in truth it appeared as if his passion had been lost. I often think that through this period he doubted his relevance. Its the only explanation I can reach as to why he believed it necessary to bring 'the latest thing' musicians and often producers to work on his records. Lyrically he was still Dylan so he still produced some powerful pieces but it it was as if he was distracted, almost bored. The songs were dull and weirdly orchestrated. Dylan was quoted in 1991, "there was a time when the songs would come three or four at the same time, but those days are long gone...Once in awhile, the odd song will come to me like a bulldog at the garden gate and demand to be written. But most of them are rejected out of my mind right away. You get caught up in wondering if anyone really needs to hear it. Maybe a person gets to the point where they have written enough songs. Let someone else write them."
It was an attitude that he certainly harboured through the 1990s. In '90 he released the awful 'Under the Red Sky' (featuring Slash on guitar - Bobby what were you thinking!!) he didn't release an original composition until 1997. Instead he released two albums of (somewhat interesting) traditional and folk covers.

Dylan in 2004

The original purpose of this article was to look at Dyaln's foray into new artistic endeavours over the last 10 years rather the concentrate on Dylan's musical re-emergence but its incredibly difficult to mention the trilogy of records that began with 1997s 'Time out of Mind' as simply a passing comment. Not even the most optimistic Dylan fan could of imagined that Bob was about to release the 1998 winner of the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Dylan actually wrote most of the songs that would appear on 'Time Out Of Mind' in 1996 but had no intention of recording them. Dylan's belief in the quality of the songs was the catalyst for a change of heart. In January 1997, he booked a studio in Florida with Daniel Lanois sitting in as producer. He actually demo'ed the tracks, a process that was almost unique for Dylan. What made the resurgence all the more remarkable was more then being a continuation of a bygone career it was a reinvention. Dylan takes great care not to push his voice beyond its limits, its almost a speak/sing with his ageing voice sounding coarse and worn. In effect it creates a blues soaked cover to Dylan's folk/rock roots. Lyrically by and large, the songs are bitter and resigned, Dylan's new vocal delivery adds a real despair to his dispirited observations. In 1997 Dylan said of the songs on 'Time Out of Mind' - "they naturally hung together because they share a certain skepticism. They're more concerned with the dread realities of life than the bright and rosy idealism popular today." Following the albums release and subsequent success Dylan admitted that a number of the songs on 'Time out of Mind' pre dated the accepted writing period of 1996. He said, "the first album I've done in a while where I've protected the songs for a long time." Of course in his prime he was the king of this, often holding songs over for years before finally releasing them. The only other contemporary song writer as adapt at doing this is Neil Young - although I think he learnt the trick from Dylan.
Robert Forster, who of recent times has developed into a magnificent music/arts reviewer, wrote in the 'Monthly' of the reinvigorated Dylan in July 2006 - "Old age suits him. It suits him the way being young did. It’s a natural fit, for both are the traditional places where wisdom can flower: the fired minds of the young and the dusty, wily utterances of the old. It’s all the time in between that’s the trouble. Dylan, though, survived all the crashes and the madness of his years, and survived well enough to leave himself fully stocked for a fruitful and significant late period." Its a beautiful summation on the 'new' Dylan.

The album was released on the 30th of September, 1997 but before then and his legion of followers were unnerved by news of a sudden and serious downturn in Dylan's health. In late May '97 he was diagnosed with histoplasmosis, which causes swelling of the sac that surrounds the heart. Its a condition relatively rare in modern medicine, the disease gestates in bird excrement. (Ironically Dylan's great friend Johnny Cash wrote the humorous 1991 track 'Beans for Breakfast' - "Caught a cold with the window open, Crow droppings on my window sill, Prob'bly got histoplasmosis, If I had a gun I would kill those crows, Beans for breakfast once again"). Reports vary as to how ill Dylan actually was but his condition was exasperated by a late diagnosis. He spent a number of weeks in hospital and months recuperating. A European tour was cancelled and the new record release date postponed. The general consensus seems to be that Dylan was gravely ill and was forced to face his mortality. On Time out of Mind's release many speculated that the illness was the spark that reinvigorated him. The album however had been completed two months earlier. In years to come it would have a profound effect on his creative output.
"Love and Theft' was released on Sept 11, 2001 and despite its ominous release date it saw a refreshed Dylan release a another masterpiece. Its lyrically, loose, warm and and at times 'laugh out loud' funny. It's Dylan at his most engaging. The title was taken from Eric Lott's book, 'Love & Theft: Blackface Minstrelsy and the American Working Class'. In contrast to 'Time out of Mind's' bleakness 'Love and Theft' celebrates life and all its idiosyncrasies and characters. As suggested by the title of the book whose name it shares it looks at America and its people, specifically delving into the culture of the South. Remarkable its a stronger work then its predecessor and to me is one of the greatest blues-roots records ever recorded. Most striking is Dylan's change in outlook. It doesn't seem to an outrageous a suggestion to think his illness realigned his perspective.
The most recent of the 'new' Dylan records was released in August, 2006. Somehow Bob was able to produce what was for me was the strongest work of the three. 'Modern Times' is put simply a masterpiece. Like its predecessor Jack Frost takes over the production (Dylan's production pseudonym) Its a 'wise' record. Dylan is comfortable in his role of elder statesmen and uses his circumspection to acknowledge and comment on the 'Modern Times'. Its a personable piece many of the tracks written in the first person. As I type this (and it'll change) 'Workingman's Blues #2' is my favourite Dylan track, full stop. Huge call I know. Personally this record has become intrinsic to me since its release, its hard to explain. Its almost like its been my personal soundtrack for the last 12 months.
To a Dylan fan of my age these records have been a revelation. I'm to young to remember the records from Bob's first golden age being released (in fact I wasn't born for most of their releases). So prior to '97 all I knew of Bob's new work was his third rate output of the 80s and first half of the 90s. For a Dylan fan the thrill of a new release is once again magical and for the first time I'm old enough to experience it.
Before moving on to follow is a quick recap of the facts and figures associated with the trilogy of recent releases:

* Grammy awards - 'Time out of Mind' - Album Of The Year (Dylan's first), Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for 'Cold Irons Bound', Best Contemporary Folk Album.
- 'Love and Theft' - Best Contemporary Folk Album
- 'Modern Times' - Best Contemporary Album, Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for 'Someday Baby'

* Sales and Chart Position - All three albums had platinum sales in the US (ie Sales in excess of 1 million copies). All three were top 10 records in the US ('Time' # 10, 'Love' #3, Modern Times # 1). Though Dylan has had a number of #1 albums 'Modern Times' was his first to debut at 1 (it achieved the same result in Australia). It was his first #1 record in 30 years.

* All three albums topped the Village Voice's hugely influential Pazz & Jop (best of) year ends critics poll. (ie 'Time out of Mind' in 1997, 'Love and Theft' in 2001 and 'Modern Times' in 2006).
All three albums appeared prominently in the various critics 'album of the year' charts.

* 2000 Academy Award winner - Best Original Song - "Things Have Changed" from Wonder Boys - the song was released as part of bonus disc to Modern Times (as well as the Movie Soundtrack)

If the 1960s are forever joined to Bob's songs I believe an arguement can be mounted that last 10 (1997-07) be remembered as Dylans decade of the word - both written and spoken. On first reading this it may appear ludicrous, Bob's always been about words, his lyrics have resonated with us for decades and it seems to contradict the gushing paragraphs dedicated to his last 3 records. However in the last 10 years Dylan has attacked new mediums with the same conviction and talent that he brings to his music. Primarily I refer to the first of his autobiography's 'Chronicles, Vol. 1' and his weekly radio show on XM Satellite network in the US (& the BBC in England) 'The Theme Time Radio Hour'.
In general the last 10 years has been the most prolific of his career :

*The 3 records

*The autobiography

*He co-wrote and starred in the comedic drama 'Masked and Anonymous' (A movie whose cast far out shone the actual film)

*Some forty years after it was filmed 'Eat the Document' was finally given an official (DVD) release. Filmed by D. A. Pennebaker and directed and edited by Bob, it captures footage of the 1966 electric tour as well as great footage of Bob and Lennon and Johnny Cash amongst others.

*Martin Scorcese's superb 'No Direction Home'. A BBC commissioned 3 and 1/2 hour documentary. It chronicles Dylan's career from 1961-66. It borrows a lot of footage from Eat the Document and features the most revealing interviews Bob has ever done. (A bit of NDH trivia - Scorcese and Dylan have never meet)

*'The never ending tour' as fans have labelled it continues unabated. Dylan has averaged over a hundred live shows a year since 1990.

Bobby meets his rival for the title of 'God on Earth' September 1997

*In September 1997, Bob was personally asked by Pope John Paul II to perform at an Italian Eucharistic Congress in Bolonga in Italy's north. 300 000 Catholic delegates were in attendance. John Paul (this isn't a joke) was said to be a fan of the acoustic era Dylan. In fact after Bob's show a mass was performed, John Paul based his sermon on 'Blowin' in the Wind'. The current Pope Benedicat has criticised John Pauls decision to get Dylan to perform, its the only public criticism he has ever levelled at his predecessor. Benedict appears to make John Paul look like a radical - "Pope Benedict has said that rock music is the work of Satan and last year he cancelled the fundraising Christmas pop concert at the Vatican, which under John Paul II had run for 13 years"

*'I'm Not There' is the name of the new Dylan biopic. It's the first that he has officially sanctioned. Its to be directed by Todd Haynes and is due for release boxing day, 2007. In true Dylan form it seems far from conventional. 6 different actors represent Dylan at various stages of his career including Cate Blanchett and young black actor, Marcus Carl Franklin.

A female and a black Dylan!

*** Part 2 of His Bobness 1997- 2007 - The Second Golden Age Tomorrow - 'Bob's Word becomes Art' ***

Today's Downloads :
To keep you going until then a couple of very special Dylan bootlegs.

- 'Blood on the Tracks - The New York Sessions' - Just days before the monumental 'Blood on the Tracks' was due to be released Bob was convinced by his brother David Zimmerman to re-record the album in Minneapolis. This is the original recording vastly different to the released version. Playing the two versions back to back is remarkable. The NY sessions band is pushed to the background giving the record an almost acoustic feel. Many rate this as Dylan's best record (not me) so the re recording was a history making decision. There is no way the two records would of been received equally. Its a must have for any Dylan fan.

- 'The Dylan/Cash Sessions' - in 1969 Dylan was recording 'Nashville Skyline' he invited Johnny Cash down to the studio. The following Bootleg was the result. One song "Girl From The North Country" - a remake of an earlier Dylan track (off the 'Freewheelin' Bob Dylan') was included on Nashville Skyline. Another must have for any Dylan (or Cash) fan.

- 'Workingman's Blues #2' - Stand out track from 2006's 'Modern Times' (9mg)

For your viewing pleasure a number of Dyaln videos. There are over 70 Dylan clips (plus many more of all the acts discussed in this blog) on the The Greatest Rock'n'Roll Site in the World youtube channel covering music videos, live performances, interviews and general raves from various times of Dylan's career.

Blood On The Tracks - NY Sessions

The Dylan/Cash Sessions

Workingman's Blues #2

An 81yo Gregory Peck presents Dylan with Kennedy Centre Honours. A heart felt and moving speech - 1997