MAY 14, 1966
Two days ago, it was 45 years since I first saw Bob Dylan live. The Odeon cinema, London Road, Liverpool. I didn't boo. And listening to the recordings now, I feel the same way I've felt for many years: that surely the 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues' performed that night is the absolute transcendent moment of moments among that side of his work that expressed alienation, desperation, the acceptance of chaos yet equally the passionate insistence of belief that "there must be some way out of here".
I'd only add that his melisma was never more mesmerising.
ReplyDeleteIs Dominique Strauss-Kahn the William Zantzinger de nos jours?
ReplyDeleteMichael
ReplyDeleteI have just read your Dylan 70th birthday article in the Japan Times.
This is one of the most perceptive and insightful assessments of Dylan I have ever seen.
Paul.
Dear Rambling and Paul
ReplyDeleteThanks for both comments.
Dear Coventrian
I hadn't thought of that: it's clever, though I think we have to agree that M. Strauss Kahn has to be considered innocent till proven guilty.
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteI also just read the Japanese Times article - well done! It hits the nail on the head most forcefully...except - "Empire Burlesque" is a poor album?
I LOVE Empire Burlesque!
Great article though, summarising the life and career of a truly great man...
Michael-
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and immediately signed up as a follower!
Did you catch the Rolling Stone list of best Dylan songs? What did you think?
Some of the choices I found interesting, others were no-brainers.
But seventy is an awful big list. I'd had the idea of trying to name just ten.
A couple of blogger friends and I are posting our "top ten" lists on Tuesday.
Larry
Larry
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blog! No, I haven't seen the Rolling Stone list. So many Dylan things going on around this birthday: quite extraordinary. Mick Brown called it "this Dylan epidemic industry", if I heard him aright, on the radio this morning.
Alas to have been born too late and on the wrong continent for that concert. So thankful for the recordings.
ReplyDelete