I got caught up in a hefty Bob Dylan phase in college.
So much so that I couldn’t tell you what album (probably “Desire”) or song (probably “Wedding Song”) that got me hooked – but it was a fantastic time in my life where I could check out – for hours at a time – and toil over his lyrics and their meaning.
I would get into a zone and just feel the music. Feel the words and interpret their meaning. Some of it was love – and the fact that I was in love. Some of it was despair – and the fact that sometimes I liked to feel dramatic out in the sun.
I was a complicated and crispy critter.
This was 2003-2006.
I lived in a wonderful farmhouse
with a once wonderful woman.
There are plenty of songs that I could bring up right now that have had an impact on my life and I – but I don’t want to direct anyone anymore than I have – in parentheses above – because Dylan is best found and experienced, organically.
You see, Bob Dylan isn’t just an author and musician, he’s a culture. And I find his tenets should best be practiced in phases – as he has so many, and so do we…
And it can’t be forced – because there’s just so many different Dylan’s out there: living – breathing – and manifesting throughout his discography.
Even now, if I were to break down my barriers and rattle off a bunch of tunes I think you should listen to – it would be self-serving and could be missed by you of you’re not prepared to receive it. But believe me, I know it sounds like I am avoiding it.
I am.
For your benefit.
I’ve seen Bob twice, once right up front in the outfield at New Britain Stadium (the only time I’ve been there, though I used to live 5 minutes away) and the other I can’t wholly remember – but it happened. Either way, the shows were only a few years apart, but were both very different – due to drastic changes in his voice.
Dylan has compensated for his voice on recent releases and it totally works. But that gravel doesn’t always translate live – and he’s been chastised for it through various media outlets.
Even so – you’d be missing out if you skipped over anything he’s ever put out. Even the bootleg stuff has gems sprinkled throughout their entirety.
I just heard one the other day on the radio and I had to find it and play it to tedium – it was that good and that inspiring.
And I’m not currently waxing Dylan.
I’m out of practice.
But that’s it – that’s Bob Dylan in a nutshell: accessible. And I urge anyone looking to go on a musical pilgrimage to immerse yourself in Bob Dylan – from any random starting point; without thinking about the end.
Happy Birthday, Bob.
May you stay, forever young…
Tribe Of Flannel 