Folk music DUers, I have a question for you! What is your opinion of Bob Dylan's music?

[CTyankee]

Do you think it is timeless, passe, or meh.

Given my advanced age, I regard him as a voice of so many of us involved in antiwar activities during Vietnam War protests. But I wonder if that meaning is lost on succeeding generations.

[LoisB]

1. Timeless - I love Dylan.

I have made sure my grandchildren know his songs.

[spooky3]

51. Ditto. Nt

[Silent Type]

2. If he had stopped at "Blowin in the Wind," he would still be an icon. Love his music, though not really into

his later stuff say after "Blood on Tracks." I do like some archival releases from the 70s.

Have not been to see him in probably 20 years, but I admire older artists who carry on.

[CTyankee]

4. what are his archival releases?

[Silent Type]

5. Mostly live concerts from his solo acoustic days and with bands like "the Band."

[Elessar Zappa]

3. I like his older stuff.

I can’t stand his voice now at his advanced age.

[JoseBalow]

6. Some of his lyrics were OK

His music, not so much. I wouldn't spend any money on him.

[snowybirdie]

7. From day one

Way back...I totally disliked his music and hated his voice. A lot of hype with little to show for it.

[CTyankee]

8. I wonder if it has something to do with how you first experienced his music. Mine was at a highly emotionally charged

that I spent in the anti Vietnam War era. So I have a somewhat sentimental feeling about him. I think that hearing his music and his voice at another time can be a bit jarring perhaps. He does have that whine...

[ThreeNoSeep]

9. As a lyricist, he had his moments

I play with a folk music group, where I am the youngest at 60. Bob's material is good. i especially like You Ain't Goin' No Where, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Stuck Inside of Mobile (with those Memphis Blues Again), She belongs to me and Maggie's Farm.
Younger folks know the song titles and some of the lines and musical phrases, but it is like knowing Bach or Scott Joplin. If you're hoping young people see Dylan's meaning, they do. yet the newer songs of other artists have added their voice to that chorus. The Cranberries' Zombie, Boom! by System of a Down, Travelin' Soldier by the Chicks.

Dylan carved out his place, and it will last. However, if you're hoping that young people listen to him like you did at their age, then you should let that go. Young people listen to what they want, just as they did when you were their age. They know Blowin' In the Wind, but for protest songs they listen to Taylor Swift's Miss Americana.

[CTyankee]

10. No, I don't expect that. It was a different time and each time has its own iconic music.

[appmanga]

16. My goodness...

As a lyricist, he had his moments

That's akin to saying Beethoven wrote a couple of nice tunes.

ETA: there will be young people who'll fall in love with Dylan as the years go on because his best work is timeless, and there's a lot of it.

[rogerballard]

11. Not a fan...

so meh.

[marked50]

12. I think that Dylan will be well remembered in the future.

I agree with CTyankee that my orginal attachment to his music was with his earlier work when it had some sort of emotional connection with me at the times of great social conflicts. There are particluar songs that rise very old and spirited memories.

I can say this of many other contemporary artists at the time, too.

But there are two things that shifted my appreciation of him to higher places than just those emotional connections.

The first one is the absolute admiration of him by my step-son many years ago. He started on his muscial journey with the Grateful Dead but migrated to Dylan for some reason (not really prompted by me or my wife). He was hooked on Dylan's musical evolution and his evolving lyrics too. He got us involved too. We have all of Dylans works now (courtesy of him). Some things are not so great but collectively it's a treat.

The second is the recognition of his lyrics with The Nobel Prize in Literature on 2016. This was truly a groundbreaking achievement for a Musician.

[NoRethugFriends]

13. yes he was very good. however

If you're giving a Nobel prize for lyrics, Leonard Cohen was Head and shoulders above.

[CTyankee]

34. Cohen, like Dylan, was singular but I agree that he should also get recognition but I don't know if a Nobel Prize is

in order. I would have to research the expectations of the Nobel Prize committee in charge of deciding who gets one. Perhaps that is the key to understanding why Dylan and not Cohen. Interesting idea!

[CTyankee]

35. why Dylan got his Nobel

"having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."

I can see why you wonder about Cohen. I think that description would fit him well also.

[malthaussen]

40. But Leonard didn't get the same level of recognition as Bob.

That Leonard Cohen influenced many other musicians is a given, but think of how many credit Dylan as an influence, and don't mention Leonard. I'm pretty sure that one of the things the Nobel Committee considers was impact on the art form as a whole, and not just excellence within the form.

-- Mal

[NoRethugFriends]

42. Yep. maybe

[LoisB]

53. I agree.

[MOMFUDSKI]

14. Not a fan.

Never liked his voice

[Permanut]

15. Icon of an era..

Along with Judy Collins, Joan Baez, CCR (Fortunate Son), and others.

[303squadron]

17. One of the greatest singer songwriters of his era

You can say, "I like, or I don't like" and be subjective about it.

Or,

We could be objective and list the number of musical units sold, the number of other artists who have covered his songs, or the number of artists who have claimed they were influenced by him.

It's a pretty big swath of life for a folkie from northern Minnesota.

[msongs]

18. like his voice or not it is always on the correct note. no pitch correction needed. and no T & A nt

[sir pball]

19. As a very young GenX'er, he was and is an amazing lyricist but his music is...eh.

Of course his older stuff, Highway 61 Revisited and earlier, are some of the most epic songs ever…past that, while his lyrics were still epic, the music faltered. He just couldn't adopt rock that well.

That said, Desire and Nashville Skyline are some of my favorite albums, but that's probably because we had them on vinyl and would listen to them on cold winter nights in front of the fire…

[malaise]

20. One of the greats

A close friend who spent decades in the US really exposed me to him.
One of his daughters even named her son Dylan- need I say more.

[Mr.Bill]

21. One of the great songwriters of all time,

Although somewhat era-centric. People who were born decades after me (I'm 70) shouldn't be expected to see him in the same context as me.

As far as ability as a guitar player or a singer, it speaks volumes to me that just about any of his songs sounded better when done my someone else.

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Hot & Cold

Some stuff I find brilliant. Some stuff I fuind pompous. Some stuff I find sophomoric.
I'm not generally a fan of the "everyman" voice, no matter who. Only a couple exceptions over my many decades of listening.
But, there are songs he's written, covered by others that are fantastic. That's the sign, to me, of a good songwriter. The material is excellent, but the ability to execute it themselves is lacking.
Geez, I even recorded one of his songs, and I have another one in my acoustic setlist. (All Along The Watchtower & Mr. Tambourine Man, respectively.)
As to his own recordings give me Tangled Up In Blue or Mozambique over much of the folky stuff.
Finally, I am much less impressed than many with his choice of backing musicians. Very overrated, most of his career.

[nolabear]

23. Some of his songs are absolutely wonderful.

I think the anthems are great but I utterly love his love songs and pensive reflections.
You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When you Go, Mississippi, Don’t Think Twice…those are gold.

[LudwigPastorius]

24. World class poet, really good songwriter, terrible singer...

I get that he considered the quality of his voice as secondary to the songs and their messages, but he took that to extreme levels. He not only never really tried to improve, in defiance, he got worse until some nights were just an unintelligible croak.

Compare and contrast:

[Hekate]

25. I have always liked his music a lot, but only sung by other people. Genius of a generation, with an awful voice.

[EverHopeful]

26. Only a Pawn in Their Game

is, unfortunately, timeless. Not his only timeless work by any means but that one keeps coming to mind just about every day when I read the news.

I'm struck by how many people have said they don't like his voice but suppose I shouldn't be. I always loved his voice though.

[tirebiter]

27. Every rock star wants to be dylan

And Dylan wants to be Hendrix during “Watchtower,” psychedelic heaven.

[madamesilverspurs]

28. He's authentic, totally unrepeatable.

He's never tried to be anyone else. And his words gave voice to many of us. Listening to him was often akin to participating in a fascinating conversation. We didn't go to his concerts to dance, but he sure as heck helped to fuel our marches. I'll take Dylan over Sinatra any day.


.

[niyad]

29. Liked his music, but he never should have been near a live microphone.

[malthaussen]

39. Oh, I dunno.

I can think of a few singers who had pretty bad voices, but they became lyrical icons nevertheless. I think in the early days, his rough voice made him sound more "authentic" to the folkies. But there'sa reason why the songs of his that became hits were mostly covers by other people.

-- Mal

[Docreed2003]

30. Gen X-er here and I'm a huge Dylan fan

The poetry and lyricism alone has cemented Dylan as a musical icon. When I hear people complain they don't like his voice, I want to ask "Which version of his voice"? He's had as many different versions of his voice as he has had genres. There was a movie about 16 years ago called "I'm Not There" that perfectly captured the mystery of Dylan through multiple actors playing roles "inspired by" Dylan.

For many years, going to a Bob Dylan concert was akin to going to a Grateful Dead show because you never knew what the setlist could be from night to night. That has largely be replaced in more recent tours with the same setlist every night. He leans heavily into material from his most recent album and only plays a handful of "classics". He made this change in order to provide a more replicable concert experience and to preserve his voice, which shows the effects of touring consistently for 60+ years. That is a disappointment to a lot of concert goers who don't recognize the music and choose to trot out either the "I can't stand his voice" line or they say "I couldn't understand a line".

All that said, I saw him play a rare, extremely intimate venue recently here in Nashville, around ~1k people in the club. It was packed and I could name ten current Nashville entertainers who were present in the audience that night who came out to see him and whose own work reflects hints of Dylan's work.

[Harker]

31. I suppose it's difficult to write as many songs as he did

without a lot of tortured rhymes.

[malthaussen]

38. Yeah, I wrote a poem about that.

Positively Rain Blowin’ on Fourth Avenue
(With apologies to Mr Zimmerman)


Mumblin’ grumblin’ words that make no sense,
I can’t help it if you all are dense.
Are you stressed about current events?
Have a hit, then you won’t feel so tense.

I’m a poet, everybody knows.
Even if you think my lyric blows.
Maybe it will put you in a doze.
Every high is followed by its lows.

So what if my words aren’t finely-honed?
If I had a message, I’d have phoned.
I don’t care if you think my mind has roamed
Just as long as everyone gets stoned.

I just want the stupid words to rhyme
Just as long as it does not take much time.
These words are the message that is mine:
Have a toke, and then you’ll feel fine.

You might think this song’s some kind of joke.
Sounds like country-western, but it’s folk.
Well, I can barely think with all this smoke.
Guess I’ll have myself another toke.

Hope you liked this Bobby Dylan song.
If you did, you can always sing along.
I don’t care if you get the words all wrong.
Now, would someone please pass me the bong?

-- Mal

[Harker]

41. That's quite brilliant, Mal...

and you were very kind to preemptively offer your apologies.

The truth sometimes stings.

[unblock]

32. I one saw Tom petty on the petty/dylan tour

I've always respected Dylan as a lyricist but never could get past his voice. Which is actually odd for me because while I love great singers, I also love artists like Springsteen and Elvis Costello who can put amazing music together despite lousy voices.

But it was at the petty/dylan concert that I realize what a massive influence Dylan had on petty. To the point where I left feeling that without Dylan there would be no petty. Even now I can't hear Petty's singing without hearing how much his style is similar to Dylan's.

More recently I was listening to Adele and kept going back to one song in particular, "make you feel my love". I found it particularly captivating. Eventually I looked it up and yep, it's a remake of a Dylan song. Quite certain I had never heard the original before.

Whatever you or I may think of Dylan, it's hard to deny that his influence on other musicians was massive. So much great music from other artists we just would not have were it not for Dylan.

[Alpeduez21]

48. I read somewhere that if not for Dylan

Petty never would’ve sung his one songs

[Paladin]

33. I wasn't a big fan...

...until his "Blood On The Tracks" album came out. I think he's terrific, now.

[malthaussen]

36. His music? Average. His lyrics? Often quite good.

There is a reason the Nobel Committee gave him the prize for poetry, although he seemed perplexed as to why, from his acceptance speech.

But there's also a reason that most of the songs he wrote that became hits did so when somebody else covered them. He was not, himself, a particularly good musician, though he was not bad, either.

-- Mal

[mdmc]

37. Mathmaticians, Carpenters Wives

I'm a fan

[LuckyCharms]

43. Love Dylan.

I find his lyrics incredibly compelling, and I think his younger voice is great for his songs.

[GenThePerservering]

44. Meh

he referred to Joan Baez as "a nice girl" and said she sings pretty well. Head and shoulders above him but oh well.

The only good line he ever wrote IMHO is "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows" - he may have been just a little 'old' for me, though he's definitely an icon of a time. I tend to prefer RATM.

[CTyankee]

46. RATM?

Sorry, I dunno the reference (I'm pretty old and out of it)...

[dai13sy]

50. I think it means

Rage against the Machine. I'm pretty old too, but I'm enjoying it. Keeps my mind busy.

[NewHendoLib]

45. Highly variable - from great to unlistenable

[ificandream]

47. Love his early stuff from his younger days.

Haven't paid any attention to the Frank Sinatra cover album. I thought the Christmas one was not his strong stuff.

[dai13sy]

49. Timeless

Bob Dylan and his music will live forever. The man's a genius.

[no_hypocrisy]

52. I like maybe five songs and that's it.

Sorry, Bob.

[ms liberty]

54. Some of his earlier stuff, although I have his whole catalog up to 2008

Joan Baez's, too. We inherited my SiL's Ipod when she passed away and she had all of it. I have several songs on some of my playlists, but I don't listen to his music by itself for say, an album at a time like I do for other artists.

[justaprogressive]

55. (sigh) so everyone dissing Bob...

Studio albums 40
Live albums 16
Compilation albums 31

,,,has heard at least a 1/10th of his output ...Right?

His voice (when it was still undamaged) had nothing to do with it!
If he sung like William Shatner or Rod McKuen it wouldn't have mattered!

It was the words! and OTHER musicians spread his work...

I'm sure all the youngsters (sorry!) have heard this song!

[JT45242]

56. One of the greatest writers ever... horrible voice

I love his music, but usually prefer when other people sing it.

[ailsagirl]

61. I stopped noticing his voice when...

I started listening to his lyrics.

He won the Medal of Freedom in 2009 during Obama's administration, as well as the Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature in 2016.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Nobel_Prize_in_Literature#:~:text=The%202016%20Nobel%20Prize%20in,laureate%20from%20the%20United%20States.

Enough said.

[JT45242]

62. I really noticed when friend made a CD of The Mighty Quinn covers

Our first son is named Quinn, so our best college friend made a CD of many covers of The Mighty Quinn. (Oh for the napster days)

Track #10 came on and I thought... this sounds like someone trying to do it like Bob Dylan. It was Dylan. He wrote the song and I did not know that. Honestly, his was one of my least favorite versions.

Grew up listing to a lot of his stuff being performed by other folk stars of the era as a child of the 80s (Gen Xer all the way).

He is one of the greatest poets and songwriters of the last 100 years but would prefer to hear Peter, Paul, and Mary or Joni Mitchell sing his songs.

I feel a similar way about Springsteen... love his songwriting as well, not a big fan of the singing.

[madaboutharry]

57. I think he would find this thread amusing.

[VGNonly]

58. You may not like the voice

but listen to the words.

[Emile]

59. I too like his older music.

[retread]

60. I've always taken his '60's voice as this mouse.

As for the sheer genius of his writing, listen to the 4 cd Chimes of Freedom or to Dirt Does Dylan.

[OldBaldy1701E]

63. His music was iconic for the time.

That time is passed. So, the music will not have the same meaning, nor the same impact. Just like pretty much everything from our time and before. Only the stuff that changed the world is going to be remembered after a decade or so.

Dylan's music was good. But, Dylan's influence was immeasurable and therefore he is a living legend and part of the hierarchy of modern music.

[CTyankee]

66. You never know, tho. I still listen to Bach, Handel and Mozart and their time has certainly passed. Each

generation find something they like in their music,otherwise it would cease to exist in our lives.

[OldBaldy1701E]

68. Music is timeless.

The appreciation of music is.... fickle... heh.

[ailsagirl]

64. He is a preeminent poet-- I can't see him falling by the wayside anytime soon-- if ever

You can Google Dylan and you will get 93,200,000 results.

[Demsrule86]

65. I love Dylan...when I was in college some of his music was used in literature classes.

My kids love Dylan too.

[Skittles]

67. I like a few of his songs

but I've never had the supreme wonderment others have had regarding him.....