"Look, I'm not passing a judgment here. It's not to say that they should know these songs; I'm not 'out-fanning' any fan, because I don't even see myself as a fan; at this point, my interest is so obsessive and so much more professional by now that one transcends that."

So, you're not 'out-fanning' anyone because you transcend fan? That's just about the most pompous thing I've ever read. Please...

And speaking from experience, I would hazard a guess that most of the 18-19 year olds were there for Dylan, and indeed knew the songs.

Sadi, it's terrific that your husband has written a Continuum 33 1/3 book -- and about such ans inarguable all-timer like H61R! These books are terrific, and you should write a little explanatory primer on them for those who've never heard of this series. I'll buy it as soon as I see it and devour it!

Usual great job on the Dylan show, too.

hi Evan... you must, of course, be absolutely right.

What would i know anyway? I mean seriously... i just write books, am endorsed, etc etc. Nobody was every trying to "out-fan" anybody... and guess what - i'm a critic, for the record, which may be why my articles are picked up by the major sites (i'm sure you know them all - and let's not forget Google News) and why i see so much traffic for my Dylan reviews and get books published and edit Dylan books, right? Because i state facts does not make me pompous - it may make you pithy and pissy... but that is yours to deal with, not mine.

Tell it to someone who cares. But don't bother here. Sure, maybe an 19 year old does know every Dylan song ever written - in fact, i'm quite sure that you know everything from The Basement Tapes and can wail it out on your harmonica...ain't that right, baby blue?

Don't be nasty - try hard. It may be an effort, but in the long run, you may look like less of an idiot. Talk about pompous.

please. spare me, spare the site, and don't be so friggin nasty. if you have only nasty things to say, don't bother. nobody cares.

yes really

nobody.

Leslie - hi: Yes, the Hwy 61 Revisited book is out, so see the Continuum link above. It should be listed but if not, let me know and i'll build a link in here since for some reason it's not up last i looked but it looks like it's there now. Damn i worked hard on editing that book!

The Agganis show was great - The site (Dylan) is seeing a huge upswing in traffic and we're now endorsed, which is great, and so are seeing thousands of hits per article... which is good.

Gawd, i've spent too long listening and reading and watching Dylan to not be a Dylan critic... i think it's in my blood at this point. I actually found a funny link the other day about... You Know You've Had Too Much Dylan If.... it was pretty funny. I could say yes to almost every question. Unreal. Sad. But funny as hell.

I think the other guy who commented has some issue with me... ah well, tant pis What counts most is the overall reaction and that has been good. It's hard when people attack without cause.

Slinging mud is not a sport i particularly enjoy, but i guess if we have to play, i can sling harder - but oh, wait, thats banned on Blogcritics...

glad you liked ... and yes, do look for Mark's book. I think the link is here somewhere and is in the great 33 1/3 series by Continuum (i'm also doing a book for the same publisher, which is weird coincidence - different editors tho).

Anyway... thanks for all...

"Tell it to someone who cares."

Apparently you do, considering how quickly you whipped out your resume.

If you are trying to impress because you are a critic, you'd be able make an assessment of The Raconteurs, and you'd also realize that the band has two lead singers.

If you are trying to impress because you are a writer who gets picked up at "major sites" (btw, posting on your MySpace page doesn't count), you would know "velvet backed/covered chair" should have a hyphen, the line "What do know with absolute certainty is this" is missing a word, and "which was rather unexpected - a great opener to be sure, but not one that I expected," is redundant.

If you are trying to impress as a Dylan fan, you would know that "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" has a comma since Baby Blue is being addressed.

I'm only 22 and amazingly, I do know more than the songs off Modern Times. Here's two quotes for you, although my youth keeps me from knowing who they are attributed to.

"I've been all around the world and I've never seen a statue of a critic" - Leonard Bernstein

"One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important." - Bertrand Russell

I applaud the comments of both Evan and Raoul Duke, above, for pointing out the pomposity of the author of the article.

I applaud the comments of both Evan and Raoul Duke, above, for pointing out the pomposity of the author of the article.

I'm with Raoul on this one. Don't forget this
quote also "To all you critics out there - You're all just pissing in the wind."
- Neil Young (of course everybody new that)
I'm on 34 BTW. Take care!

I meant to write that I'm only 34 years old.

And I can't spell knew either!

"After an intermission, the usual Dylan announcement is made - that voice overlay that we hear, anticipate, wait for, and have come to expect before the man himself will get on stage (whose voice is that anyway, does anyone know, and would someone please tell me?)"

Al Santos. He's also the stage manager. Can usually be seen making the announcement right near the soundboard (stage left) at the expected time. Seems like a nice enough guy.

""I wish that for just one time / you could stand inside my shoes / and just for that one moment / I could be you. / Yes, I wish that for just one time / You could stand inside my shoes / You'd know what a drag it is / to see you."" - I'm sure you know that line.

as to my actual site, which is not, btw, on MSN Spaces (which was set up as a review for journalistic purposes by the way), you can find it thru expectingrain - but you knew that. As to the rest, I'm sure you have many books published? Hey, at least I have an Editor at a good publishng house to catch ne - but then, they don't go on grammar, they bought me based on talent. I know, to you that must seem shocking. I wonder why it is that so many people then read these articles and give such good responses with your exceptions? Guess what - this is really boring. If you want my real site, you'll find it. But spare me - because i'm really not interested in your (obviously unable to search properly) evaluation of that either. It's enough for me that it's offically endorsed and picked up by the major Dylan sites... But hey, they're all wrong. - I have nothing more to say - at all. I'd say more, but seriously, I'm working on two books (and that's just the truth, not some vanity here), and yes, both are already under contract and will be published before you go there. As to your earlier comment, as I said, this is why editor's exist. Maybe you'd be a better editor than writer. It would seem so.

But thanks - and again, MSN Spaces is not my site... so since i can't say it here (because I respect the Eric too much) consider it said - Find my Dylan site if you wan't. It's highly trafficked. It's popular. But you know everything. Again - you know exactly what i'd say to you now... so just go back there and stay there this time.

In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
I'm younger than that now.
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
I'm younger than that now.

Sam - hey, thanks for the information. I should have known that but did not. It's the announcement that gets everyone going but I always wondered who is was. So Al Santos, eh? Interesting. I'll have to pass that along to my cousin who's an editor of the 33 1/3 series. No doubt my husband probably knows (I think i said, he just finished a book about Highway 61 Revisited for their series). I'm sure he knows it, i just didn't think to ask hin.

Gone are the days of Albert Grossman - he was good in the beginning and savvy at that, but talk abbout a piece of work... Right now i'm trying to get through Les Chroniques" in French, which is actually pretty funny. How do you translate Dylaneze into French?

I guess don't look in the mear... watch yaw pawkin metaws...

Thanks - That's useful information. I should have known that. So thanks again. Be well,

s.

oh yeah, Raul, I forgot, my resume? But don't bother. Stay under The Apple Suckling Tree... oh yeah.

Enough nastiness. I've had it with you. Not only are you just hostile, you're not clever or cutting. You simply come across as well... what you are, whatever that is... In the final account, at least I know whw the f. i am.

YOU may not, but thank god, the people that I care about, esp. regarding this, do care, and at the end of the day, that's really all that matters.

Please - just stop. I just missed your previous comment so am commmenting again, but that's it. As I said, find that apple suckling tree and stay there and suck, if you must. You don't have to suck, but that's your choice. If you want to play hardball, then don't play on the Internet. It's all too easy to be brave behind a computer, isn't it?

In actuality, I'd love to hear about your resume. That would interest me a helluva lot more. Feel free to share, since you're so busy cutting down, do tell - what are your credentials.

I know, I'm a professor too - but shit, if they only knew what you know, i would never have gotten the job, and graduate level at that!

Yes, sweets, that's pulling out my resume - and that ain't the half of it. I can keep going...

But i'm really more interested in your credentials...

Hi -- enjoyed your review, most of it anyway. I went to the Saturday show in Boston. Agree with you about the Raconteurs--they might not be bad, but they were too loud at this show. On their own I could understand it, but warming up for Dylan...?
And thank god I didn't encounter someone behaving like the "Moby" guy, who apparently thinks that everyone should think and be like him. Evidently no brain in his head....

I love the article and I so agree with each and every word except Joan Baez I believe is a bitter woman scorned by Bob Dylan. I was at the meadowlands Jersey concert last night I had the best time He was so wonderful.
He is complex and is back to where his true roots are a "cowboy" and I so appreciate that fact. I just love everything this man has had to say. He is human he has loved and lost, sought the Lord and made many a mistake like all the rest of us. I am blown away at the timelessness of the "protest" songs. they could and should be #1 today. Masters of War !!!!!!!!!! My favorite at the moment is I'll Be You Baby Tonight He did not sing that one but I just screamed "BOB DYLAN" at the top of my lungs all night long and never sat down. He sort of danced across the stage and it was so fun to see him like happy and knowing we all love him dearly. The Raconteurs were loud but they were good. Dylan is the one I came to see and I am thrilled to have seen him befor e the deal goes down!
Thanx again

Hey Ralph - Thanks - wouldn't expect anyone to agree with all I say anyway...no worries there, but thanks for the read.

Yes, I thought the opening act was over-amped, and most agreed; i couldn't understand a word, but then, i'm not really familiar with them and didn't go to see them anyway. It's not that they were 'bad' - it's just that i couldn't tell either way really.

The Moby guy - he was 'interesting' to say the least. He was bopping around from place to place. Didn't really bother me, since I found him sort of amusing, but I didn't really like that he was really kinda cruel to some other people... Lucky you missed him. Was a sight to behold. I thought he was worth noting, tho.

Thanks for chiming in...

s.r.p.

Hey Mary - Funny about Joan Baez - I think at one time she was bitter, and I don't really blame her for that. She did kinda get screwed over in a way and was used as a stepping stone but that's just my view. It seemed in No Direction Home that she had a sense of humor about it all, but that's just my take - and it surprised me, I have to say.

I saw Dylan (also this year) in Pawtuckett, RI, which was an amazing show and included some older stuff.

As to favorite Dylan songs - damn, baby, that's such a hard thing to say. There are too many to choose from. The '66 live rendition of "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" is just amazing and so sincere. He played "Shelter from the Storm" in Pawtuckett, which was amazing (I got the bootleg for that - I think there isn't a Dylan thing we don't have at this point - including bootlegs and etc - all needed for research (not to mention just plain love of...) Then there's the issue of favorite album, which again, is really hard to pick.

"Bringing It All Back Home" is pretty great in terms of songs, but so is "Highway 61 Revisited." I tend to like the leaner, meaner sound...

But songs, damn, that's just too hard.

4th Time Around, off the top of my head -
A Hard Rain's a Gonna Fall
Desolation Row
Highway 61 Revisited
One More Weekend (for fun only)
Just Like a Woman
I Don't Believe You
Like a Rolling Stone (but only live, and from the "Judas" concert because he wails and belts and it drips with sarcasm, which is totally apt in that situation.)
It Ain't Me, Babe
If You Gotta Go Now
Oh, Sister
Shelter from the Storm
It's Not Dark Yet

Gawd, I could go on and on... too many to name... the list would go on and on and on... but enough! I like "Modern Times" a great deal, so consider that in there (of course). Pretty much everything. I think he hits on every note. I like that he changes from album to album - I never think of him as 'Judas' - Never.

Glad to know that you share the same enthusiasm... Many do... so many... obviuosly...

Be well, and thanks. Cheers,

s.

I'm so glad you commented back! I love little inconsequential tiffs like this. Yeah, what I said before about that quote being one of the most pompous things I've ever read, well that was wrong. I apologize. Now I'd say that your comments in defense of your pompousity are the most pompous things I've ever read. I really doubt anyone cares or is impressed that you're a prof., or published author. I mean, that's good for you, but that doesn't make you an authority. I'm certainly no authority, and I can't speak for others, but at least we don't claim to be that.

"What would i know anyway? I mean seriously... i just write books, am endorsed, etc etc."
"my articles are picked up by the major sites (i'm sure you know them all - and let's not forget Google News) and why i see so much traffic for my Dylan reviews and get books published and edit Dylan books, right?"

But my favourite is this witty little number:
"Because i state facts does not make me pompous"

Because in the following quote, not a single fact is stated, just a pompous debasing of younger generations.
"and then you had really young kids who couldn't be more than young teenagers at most and I wondered what the McFuck they were doing there.

Did they even know a Dylan song other than those they had heard on Modern Times? Did they know "Sweet Marie"? "Visions of Johanna"? "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding... ho ho ho)", and what about "Highway 61 Revisited"? What about the much more obscure stuff like "Apple Suckling Tree"? No, he didn't play all of those songs -- and maybe he tailored the list to the crowd, but I did wonder how many of the older Dylan songs the crowd knew."

All I ask is that you have some respect for fans, and that you don't pretend to know everything. Two generally good rules for everyone to follow, even if you're published.

"I'm sure you know that line."

Sandi, I positively do know that line, but since we don't know each other, it's not apropos to the situation. A transcendant fan would know that.

"I wonder why it is that so many people then read these articles and give such good responses"

You must either be referring to other articles or else counting your own comments because the reaction here has been mixed.

Now go back to writing your plethora of books. It's obviously where all your talent is focused if this thread is any indication. btw, Amazon only shows one book, singular, by you from 10 years ago, so don't puff up the resume. I mean, you are so important a writer you shouldn't need to, right? Think of all the unnamed sites that publish you.

Before you copy and paste them all, here is a Dylan lyric for you. I'm sure you know it.

"It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe."

Thanks, Evan - I'll be sure to take everything you say into serious consideration. Be well.

Uh, Raoul - ever hear the word 'contract'? Right, i'm being pompous again, no doubt.

Whatever - this is really boring. I don't know about you, but I really have better things to do - like teach (I know, you feel 'sorry' for my students...) tant pis -

Have a good night. Over and out. Enough of this.

Joan Baez was not on the 66 tour. It was 1965, the "don't look back" tour.

Speaking of Joan Baez, anyone else out there think that Sooner or Later (One of us must know)on Blonde on Blonde is about that wonderful woman, Joan Baez? Crikey that woman can sing and play! Diamonds and Rust (about Dylan) is a really great song. By the way I loved the enthusiasm and passion of Sadi's article. The most obvious thing about Bob Dylan is something that is never commented on ie he is a really nice person

Thanks for the write-up. I missed Bob during his Southern Cal swing. Out here we had The Kings of Leon open up.

true about Baez - mea culpa. thank you. It's hard to say which songs are about whom with Dylan since he can be pretty elliptical sometimes so I personally wouldn't hazard a guess. A lot of people say that Visions of Johanna is about Joan Baez to some extent... I don't know for verifiable fact. I can't say but that's what I have heard. As for your question, "Sooner or Later" - It's a good question, and but I don't know.

As I said, the only thing I have heard with any real authority was "Visions of Johanna" may be about her... but again, that's not a definite... I think it was a "maybe" because it's pretty late - same with "Sooner or Later" from what i understand - but again, I wouldn't take this verbatim. He actually cut "Sooner or Later" before Blonde on Blonde was released from what I understand.

It's hard with Dylan to know. "Sooner or Later" could be about someone significant like Baez, tho it seems pretty late in the game, some say. I've also heard that it could be about Edie Sedgwick, but that depends on who you listen to as well or some other casual person - so I dunno..

Just passing along all of the (mis)information I've been given. I think it's hard to tell - but it's fun to know the back stories and try to sort it out.

If you know the dates the songs were cut, that helps. To know that "Sooner or Later" was cut first, from what I know, makes a difference. But again, only Dylan would / does really know....

ya know...

good questions tho...

I wonder about these things too...

And thx again for the correction on '66 re: Baez. Mea culpa again. It was Don't Look Back, not Eat the Document that i was referring to.... my error there.

Hey El Bicho - sure thing - too bad you missed, that blows. Maybe next time. I'm heading to NYC to see the exhibit. I'm looking forward to that as well... that is only open for a short while longer before closing... I'm not sure if it's moving or not or even where it is right now actually, only that we are definitely going ...

Hope you're liking Modern Times.... I think it's great. I'm also really enjoying Theme Time Radio - have you been listening at all?

Just to say, as a seventeen year old Dylan fan, it's most likely that many of those uni students attended for Dylan, new Dylan, and loved his music.

Indeed many people my age are Dylan fan's and I would think it would be more the fantastic No Direction Home which caught their attention.

No Direction Home probably did catch a lot people's attention, no doubt - i would wager you're right. That combined with the new album would make a huge difference.

Can I ask (nicely, and seriously) as a big Dylan fan yourself, how far back into his music do you go? Do you own pretty much everything or the more recent stuff - i'm just curious. I always find it interesting when a newer generation gets into something from before. Obviously this is not at all to stake a claim = that's absurd - I think all should and can enjoy Dylan - i've just always wondered how far back it goes - as in, which albums, songs, etc. that you know/love/etc or is it pretty much all....

hope that's okay to ask; i mean it as no offense at all. I'm just really curious. Obviously a lot of students are interested in Dylan (this is a long story so i'll leave it out) so it carries thru generationally and the crowd was mixed, but how far back into his music do you go?

Thanks, and if you can help, that would be great...

be well - and thanks again,

s.r.p.

Saw Bobby in Reno this April, and again in Portland in October. Yes, he's just the best, and it's hard to figure why anyone would sit woodenly during a concert. Oh well. Maybe they are rockin' on the inside. It happens.

My daughters are 11 and 15 and know most of Bobby's songs, old, new, and in between. He fills their iPods. They saw No Direction Home on PBS, watched it with me over and over, and the boy/man just grew on them, as he did on the rest of us. From there on were more videos, more CD's, and the Modern Times vinyl. Everything old is new again. Thought you'd like knowing about two young un's who love Bobby, know about him, are huge fans, and nearly understand his essense as well as any of us can. Pretty cool. He's a history lesson, a music/poetry education, and a legend. He's Bobby to them and they wonder why their grandpa can't be so cool.

Thanks for your article. Enjoyed it!

Long live the Endless Tour of Dylan!

that is so good to know that BD just keeps going on... one suspects he always will; that his music never was and never will be a trend or 'trendy' in that it will have the shelf-life of yogurt, but that it will be lasting and more meaningful than that... pretty cool that you're kids are that into it... Amazing that they're that much into the back-list already and impressive. Likewise with our son who listens to a lot of BD - not so keen on him as we are (alas) but has taken an interest and at least has heard the music and made an informed decision...

I can't wait to find out more when i have an interview coming up, so maybe if you like check my site in a month and a half or so; i'm getting ready for Pennebaker, which should be really interesting, I think - not just about Dylan tho - but about the breadth of his work, but yes, obviously, i have many questions about his work vis Dylan.

I think it's great about you're kids. I'd love to have them take a look at the site ... have them take the "do you know too much test" it's buried in the Links section of the Dylan section and is a scream - they'll love it.... Once you get to Bob Dylan, Tant Mieux, look under links, then go to You Know You're a Die-hard if...

It's in the Links section and is really quite funny. There are some good links there - they might enjoy just cruising around the site.

Thanks for reading and even better - letting us know about a whole new generation... I'm sure Dylan is somewhere smiling, no doubt...

Be well, and stay in touch,

s.r.p.