Catherine wrote:
> I think in my case it's not so much "devotion to Joni"
> but perhaps failure to appreciate Bob Dylan. What is
> it precisely about him that's supposed to be so
> innovative? I don't find his music particularly "new"
> - his music IMO is pretty predictable. Is it the
> lyrics? I agree that Joni does pay him tribute, and
> I'm not trying to be sarcastic, or a pain in the ass -
> I just don't get it! Somebody please enlighten me!
First of all, happy belated birthday! Now since my stupid computer froze on
me the last time I tried to write this, I'll try again!
I love Bob Dylan. I don't think his music is as good as Joni's (my opinion,
obviously) but he is an incredible poet. But I think David Crosby said it
best in a video I've got. To paraphrase: "You had rock'n'roll with lots of
great chord changes, but limited poetry, and it ran smack into folk music,
with limited chord changes but great, great words." Dylan was one of the
first to merge the two into a new music, and I guess he was the fore-runner
of the singer-songwriters of the 60's and 70's, who felt there was more to
say in a pop song than "I love you."
Some great lyrics from "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) - actually the
whole song is superb:
While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he's in.
But I mean no harm nor put fault
On anyone that lives in a vault
But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him.
Check out the album "Bringing It All Back Home", and it might help enlighten
you!
Take care,
Hell
____________________________
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