Together Through Life

[poliphilo]

The new Dylan came in the post this morning. I've listened to a couple of tracks. Bright horns, the voice all croony and beat up- like someone tied Bing Crosby to the tail of a Ford and dragged him along a dirt road for a couple of hours.

Dylan is a great artist in what Kenneth Clarke called the "old age" phase of his career- where he's doing what he chooses to do and doesn't give a fuck about fashion or what anybody thinks of him (not that Dylan ever did). Some of what he comes up with may be little more than hawking and spitting and scratching around in the dust, but- rough with the smooth- you're hearing what a free man sounds like- and there aren't too many of them in any generation.

Comments

[craftyailz.livejournal.com]

Oh right - just listen to it on your headphones and don't let me listen why dont ya!!!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

If you choose to live at the other end of the house......

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

you have me thinking of looking for it on Youtube now...I was listening to Positively 4th Street after Choirgate the other day.

I presume tho that McCartney is just crap and I needn't bother with him?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I buy a McCartney album every now and then, just to see how he's getting along. He's still capable of writing attractive songs, but there's no great urgency about anything he does.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

Speaking of "together through life", Happy Anniversary to you and Ailz. I have already sent her my congratulations on her LJ, but wanted to say the same for you. Eighteen years! Wonderful!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much :)

[sovay]

like someone tied Bing Crosby to the tail of a Ford and dragged him along a dirt road for a couple of hours.

. . . I kind of approve of that image on principle.

I will have to get this album; the most recent one I own is Love & Theft (2001).

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

His last album- Modern Times- is tremendous. I suggest you treat yourself to that along with the new one

[brttvns.livejournal.com]

Agreed - Dylan is still the real deal! Shame on me, I have not even got round to Modern Times yet, let alone his latest. I thought Love and Theft one of the best he had done in years, but then walked out on him in Manchester. Seen him live twice - learnt my lesson - listen to Dylan at home.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Why does he go on performing live when he puts so little of himself into it? What exactly is he thinking of?

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

Yes - I like it when someone makes the album they want to make rather than the one their public might prefer. Mark Knopfler's Kill To Get Crimson is a case in point.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Dylan has always done exactly what he wanted to do. It's resulted in some wayward behaviour and some wayward art- but this refusal to conform to other people's expectations (combined with talent of course) is what makes his career so fascinating.