Bob Dylan is, without doubt, the greatest singer of all time. I've been been saying it for years. I even wrote an epic-length poem about him called The Perfect Voice, which is now on permanent display in the Bob Dylan museum in Tulsa, OK. If you, my friend, or anyone else would like to check it out, I'm on Substack, and a copy of the whole poem is available there for anybody who wants to download it. This is the link: https://substack.com/@martinmccarthy/p-145915777
Please leave a comment. I would appreciate it very much.
Thanks for letting me know, Judson. I never miss an opportunity to spread the word about Dylan while he is still alive. And well done to you for doing the same!
Absolutely. I am currently working on a feature length film here in Brasil. A character based on the Bob Dylan legend is among them. This project has taken years and started long before the Complete Unknown surfaced...Still a ways to go- but it is a Dylan interpretation you may enjoy!
Great piece, JSV. Dylan is in fact an excellent singer and is very technical and deliberate in his tone, phrasing, and articulation. He is a master of space between notes. And, he is an even better performer. A true performance artist. You want raw truth? Listen to Dylan. You want comfortable joy and smooth escape, listen to Mel Torme. Great singers both on the broad spectrum of song.
Those small auditoriums he likes are awesome. Much cooler than the big outdoor amphitheaters IMO. Especially how his last few years have been intimate type songs in the first place.
Thanks Martin! All is well here other than daily struggles with the state of the world, which is a uniting force of sorts I suppose. Hope your family is healing. I had intended to reach out and check in.
In 1969 a young girl heard a deep comforting voice on the radio sing Lay, Lady, Lay and thought Bob Dylan had the most beautiful voice she had ever heard. Of course she was only 4 at the time. Still, she was fairly well versed in Peter, Paul, and Mary, Tom Jones and the Beatles. Blue, Blue, My Love is Blue was her favorite song. Stone Soul Picnic was vying for second. While at first Petula Clark had helped her dream of what it would be like to be grown up and go Downtown with Guantanamera as the reality check, now Born To Be Wild was ringing something fierce in her ears.
And there was this Voice.
Of course it was a studio anomaly. But that didn’t stop me from finding out who Bob Dylan was and what he was singing about. As a matter of fact, it made me more curious the next time I heard it and it was different. More real. I needed to know why.
In 1969 a young girl heard a deep comforting voice on the radio sing Lay, Lady, Lay and thought Bob Dylan had the most beautiful voice she had ever heard. Of course she was only 4 at the time. Still, she was fairly well versed in Peter, Paul, and Mary, Tom Jones and the Beatles. Blue, Blue, My Love is Blue was her favorite song. Stone Soul Picnic was vying for second. While at first Petula Clark had helped her dream of what it would be like to be grown up and go Downtown with Guantanamera as the reality check, now Born To Be Wild was ringing something fierce in her ears.
And there was this Voice.
Of course it was a studio anomaly. But that didn’t stop me from finding out who Bob Dylan was and what he was singing about. As a matter of fact, it made me more curious the next time I heard it and it was different. More real. I needed to know why.
Ha! Cutting close! Very kind of you to say. Always enjoy doing them. I have a film project that covers a little Dylanesque legend! Hope you are well man! How is everything?
Bob Dylan songs, sung by - say - Tony Bennett, would be meaningless.
Only Dylan can sing them. And it is perfection!
I agree completely.
I agree. Dylan singing Dylan is perfection!
Bob Dylan is, without doubt, the greatest singer of all time. I've been been saying it for years. I even wrote an epic-length poem about him called The Perfect Voice, which is now on permanent display in the Bob Dylan museum in Tulsa, OK. If you, my friend, or anyone else would like to check it out, I'm on Substack, and a copy of the whole poem is available there for anybody who wants to download it. This is the link: https://substack.com/@martinmccarthy/p-145915777
Please leave a comment. I would appreciate it very much.
That is quite an honor, Martin. I, personally, have read that poem of yours, a little while back. Epic, indeed.
Congrats, Martin!
Thanks for letting me know, Judson. I never miss an opportunity to spread the word about Dylan while he is still alive. And well done to you for doing the same!
Absolutely. I am currently working on a feature length film here in Brasil. A character based on the Bob Dylan legend is among them. This project has taken years and started long before the Complete Unknown surfaced...Still a ways to go- but it is a Dylan interpretation you may enjoy!
I'm sure I will. Please keep me informed.
Great piece, JSV. Dylan is in fact an excellent singer and is very technical and deliberate in his tone, phrasing, and articulation. He is a master of space between notes. And, he is an even better performer. A true performance artist. You want raw truth? Listen to Dylan. You want comfortable joy and smooth escape, listen to Mel Torme. Great singers both on the broad spectrum of song.
Right on, BB....Some rumors around about his last live performance coming soon...nothing confirmed or if he would even say so....?
Yes, Bob has 4 very small venue shows just announced in Minnesota and I think Wisconsin. Will be interesting and not to be missed.
Those small auditoriums he likes are awesome. Much cooler than the big outdoor amphitheaters IMO. Especially how his last few years have been intimate type songs in the first place.
Exactly. Less is more at this point.
Brilliantly said, BB. I hope things are good with you.
Thanks Martin! All is well here other than daily struggles with the state of the world, which is a uniting force of sorts I suppose. Hope your family is healing. I had intended to reach out and check in.
Things were very bad for a while. Getting better now. The grandchildren are here right now, singing as I write this. Things rarely stay bad forever.
The only constant in the world is change! Joni Mitchell I believe. Glad the kids are singing and with their poet papa.
He's a troubador from an ancient time penetrating our time.
Hey Kurt!….I like that!
Great read!!
Thanks!
In 1969 a young girl heard a deep comforting voice on the radio sing Lay, Lady, Lay and thought Bob Dylan had the most beautiful voice she had ever heard. Of course she was only 4 at the time. Still, she was fairly well versed in Peter, Paul, and Mary, Tom Jones and the Beatles. Blue, Blue, My Love is Blue was her favorite song. Stone Soul Picnic was vying for second. While at first Petula Clark had helped her dream of what it would be like to be grown up and go Downtown with Guantanamera as the reality check, now Born To Be Wild was ringing something fierce in her ears.
And there was this Voice.
Of course it was a studio anomaly. But that didn’t stop me from finding out who Bob Dylan was and what he was singing about. As a matter of fact, it made me more curious the next time I heard it and it was different. More real. I needed to know why.
In 1969 a young girl heard a deep comforting voice on the radio sing Lay, Lady, Lay and thought Bob Dylan had the most beautiful voice she had ever heard. Of course she was only 4 at the time. Still, she was fairly well versed in Peter, Paul, and Mary, Tom Jones and the Beatles. Blue, Blue, My Love is Blue was her favorite song. Stone Soul Picnic was vying for second. While at first Petula Clark had helped her dream of what it would be like to be grown up and go Downtown with Guantanamera as the reality check, now Born To Be Wild was ringing something fierce in her ears.
And there was this Voice.
Of course it was a studio anomaly. But that didn’t stop me from finding out who Bob Dylan was and what he was singing about. As a matter of fact, it made me more curious the next time I heard it and it was different. More real. I needed to know why.
Thanks for posting this. Whether he "can" or "can't" sing, his songs are a cut above, and I can't stand to hear them performed by anyone else.
I like your Bob Dylan better.
Ha! Better than….?
I don’t want to be sacrilegious here. But I like your poetry, and songs and your covers of Dylan better. Actually I do.
I like it better.
I prefer Vereen over Dylan.
Ha! Cutting close! Very kind of you to say. Always enjoy doing them. I have a film project that covers a little Dylanesque legend! Hope you are well man! How is everything?