Since May 1953, Bob Dylan has been 12 years and a few days older than me.We share the Gemini star sign and I own an almost unhealthy quantity of Dylan related items. To my knowledge,and to no great surprise, he has nothing of mine.

As a child growing up in Manchester, England in the early 1960s, Beatlemania was the first popular culture event to register.Not that ‘popular culture’ was a definition back then. I was privileged to be young enough to embrace a time when many songs,now rightly regarded as classics were first released. BBC radio belted out liberal quantities of Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Small Faces and The Who, willingly assisted by the guilty pleasures of the outlawed Radio Caroline.

My first exposure to Dylan was via the hypnotic jingle jangle of Roger Mc Guinn’s guitar on The Byrds’ enigmatic interpretation of Mr Tambourine Man.Summer 65 with the 7” single on repeat on my older cousin’s mono record player. I was hooked on the sound and the mysterious words.Dylan’s own recordings were still in my future.

By the time I was a regular listener to Dylan circa 1970, he had long since ‘gone electric’. I had just bought a stereo player, having previously relied on the family reel to reel tape recorder,which had served me well,in particular the ritual taping of the  weekly John Peel broadcasts.My first link up of record player and tape recorder was to copy three Dylan bootleg LPs, borrowed from a friend, under strict terms that they should only be played once and returned to him within 24 hours of their departure from his care……and this only after his careful examination of my LPs.One rogue fingerprint on pristine vinyl and the deal would have been off.

Many years later, playing CDs of Columbia official bootlegs, I was taken back to my first exposure to the holy grail of Dylan bootleg LPs. It was (and still is) fascinating to track his progression from acoustic adaptations of traditional melodies added to Dylan’s words and to see how far he has travelled, in a metaphorical and literal sense in the intervening half century.

In recent years, Dylan’s art output has intrigued me, to the extent that having seen the 2010 release of ‘Drawn Blank’ paintings,I took the plunge to buy a limited edition print…My choice was made after much deliberation. Initially, I narrowed the field by focusing on images with which I could happily co exist. I settled for ‘Sunflowers’ (illustrated). As soon as it was on the wall I knew it was right for me. Three years later, it has taken on the spirit of many Dylan albums. Initial exposure is favourable,with that feeling increasing to genuine affection and the subsequent revealing of many subtleties after repeated exposure

For me, sixty years on this earth is a significant milestone. I’ve had my ration of ups and downs, mostly shared by a small, tight knit family and a few close friends. I can’t begin to imagine what its like to be Bob Dylan with his every move analysed and evaluated worldwide. A brief look through my collection of Dylan related literature, includes special editions commemorating his 60th  and 70th birthdays,and most recently 40 years of interviews with Rolling Stone magazine. In marking my birthday, I’ll willingly settle for a few humorous greetings cards and a cake,which will,hopefully,only have a few candles on top.

Undoubtedly, my life has been enriched  by an exposure to Dylan’s varied output. If castaway on the mythical desert island-the works of Bob Dylan -and a power supply, would be my luxury item. I struggle to imagine life without Bob. We’ve been together so long…….not that he’s ever acknowledged the fact, but I forgive him. Much as I did after a horrendous 1980s gig which was only salvaged by a stunning, solo acoustic version of ‘Barbara Ellen’. That’s it with Dylan, he’s rarely an easy ride, incomprehensible to some, but  genuinely worth sticking with for the long haul, as he’s proved many times

Happy 72nd birthday, Bob and I hope we both keep on keepin’ on for many moons yet.

“The members of the Academy have this year elected to American Honorary Membership Bob Dylan – poet, composer, musician, who has moved our culture with a consequence perhaps unmatched by any artist of our time.”
Dylan skipped the induction, however, with Cobb citing Dylan’s touring schedule as the reason for his no show. In a statement Dylan wrote, “I feel extremely honoured and very lucky to be included in this pantheon of great individual artists who comprise the Academy of Arts and Letters. I look forward to meeting all of you some time soon.”

Read more?

Independent.co.uk: Is Bob Dylan “unworthy” of the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest civilian award? The head of the institution which decides on the recipients appears to think so.

The American singer-songwriter’s name was on a list sent to the grand chancellery of the Legion of Honour for approval by Culture Minister Aurélie Filipetti, who intended to mark this year’s 50th anniversary of his classic album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, containing hits such as “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall”, with the award.

However, according to the satirical newspaper Le Canard Enchaîné, Dylan, whose real name is Robert Zimmerman, was blackballed by the institution’s grand chancellor, General Jean-Louis Georgelin, because of his anti-war activism during the Vietnam War and his cannabis use, not to mention his apparent success in turning on The Beatles on to the drug.

The general was alerted to Dylan’s past activities by the habitual police check of potential laureates, which is usually a formality to uphold the candidate’s “worthiness and morality”.

Read more?

HIBBING, Minnesota — Organizers in Bob Dylan’s Iron Range hometown announce an exciting lineup of activities for the May 23-26, 2013 Dylan Days celebration. Held in collaboration with events in Dylan’s birthplace city of Duluth, visitors to northern Minnesota will have access to great live music, Dylan stories, and a grassroots arts scene where people from all over the world will share their work.

Dylan Days 2013 honors Bob Dylan’s recent Presidential Medal of Freedom as the music legend continues his never-ending tour after last year’s release of his new album, “Tempest.”

This year, Hibbing’s Dylan Days celebrating is encouraging people to start their long weekend on Thursday, May 23 with the live music Duluth Scenic Railway tour. Hibbing heats up Friday, May 24 — Dylan’s 72nd birthday — with a creative writing workshop, literary showcase and our world-famous Singer-Songwriter Contest at Zimmy’s. Saturday brings our popular storytelling bus tour of “Bobby Zimmerman’s Hibbing” and a full day of live music.

Read more?

Independent.co.uk: A never-before-released Bob Dylan song lyrics are to go to auction in London next month, after being discovered in a drawer in Sweden.

Variety:“It’s been said that architecture is frozen music,” says Palm Springs resident Martin Newman, quoting Goethe about his role as a designer and restorer of classic Spanish and Mediterranean homes. “My role is composer and conductor of the mood and tone of the piece, all the while staying true to the aesthetic and the budget and time frame.”

The music metaphor is fitting, considering Newman’s first big client was Bob Dylan, whose former wife Sara spotted one of Newman’s coats fashioned from an Indian blanket in Beverly Hills in the mid-’70s and demanded to know who made it. One thing led to another before Newman, who grew up in Malibu, got a call from someone in the same area code. “Sara called and said, ‘Can you come out to Malibu and measure my husband and I for a couple of these great coats?’

Read more?

It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to…

Wait a minute…if you recognize the above lyric as having been written by Bob Dylan and happened to be at the Midland last night for actress/singer Katey Sagal and the “Sons of Anarchy” tour, chances are those words will never sound the same.

Not after Sagal made it clear that the then 33 year-old seminal folk-rock singer tried to force himself upon the 19 year-old Segal and then fired her butt as backup singer after she refused to sleep with him. That’s right, even at his hippest point in 1973, Dylan was a dirtbag.

(Btw, Dylan didnt tour in 1973 so this story may be screwed up a bit)

Read more?

From toledofreepress.com:

The Los Angeles-based folk band played tracks from their recent release “Stories Don’t End.”

Unfortunately, they still haven’t met Dylan.

“He still might not have heard a lick of our music,” Goldsmith said. “But obviously, regardless, he approved of it and he was involved on some level.

“I know this is a sought-after slot for any band,” Goldsmith said. “This the kind of thing that bands dream about when they are rehearsing in their garage … it’s almost even too much for us to wrap our heads around.”

Read more?

Wigwam in the suburbs

By Dave Burrows:

Part of my ageing process is regularly renewing acquaintance with pleasurable pastimes first experienced in ‘the old days’……..One of the greatest buzzes has to be opening a record sleeve, sliding out the disc, engaging needle contact and hey presto………

Playing favourite vinyl records is something I do quite often, but Record Store Day focuses the mind on the vitality of vinyl as well as the role of the lesser spotted local record store. In these troubled economic times, its a regular feature of daily life to see another shop closing or walk past a row of vacant premises.So, it it was an unexpected joy to find a new, local venture in the town where I regularly shop.On seeing it I was transported back to the late 60s/early 70s…….The Beatles’ White Album, dusted off in a high street junk shop, Freewheelin’ rescued from a rack in a shop selling TVs, the list is extensive. But to find a newly opened cafe/book/vinyl shop……..with a listening booth for vinyl……hallelujah!

The visit to my new found favourite shop was topped off, by the discovery of Wigwam/Thirsty Boots.I assumed that this would have been snaffled very early in the day,  but the location of a suburban emporium,had obviously put the enthusiasts off the scent.

So……home with the prize……Wigwam (unreleased demo) has the feel of a jaunty,warm up piece.Very relaxed in feel and nice interplay of piano/guitar.

Thirsty Boots is perfection.Previously unreleased, I was transported to Eric Anderson’s original (purchased in the late 70s for 10 pence(!) from a long since bankrupt Manchester emporium..)
Young Bob (with the Nashville Skyline/New Morning era voice tone) sounds like he’s having a fine time.Rippling piano, guitar and a spot on harmonica break with perfectly phrased vocals……..thanks Bob.

On the sleeve is confirmation of the news that has been in cyberspace for some time ‘From the forthcoming Bootleg Series Vol10′………we’re in for some treats when that hits the shops.

This vinyl gem was found in Beatnik Shop, 38 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Greater Manchester.A 30 minute jaunt from central Manchester by Metrolink tram.

June 26 Cruzan Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, Florida +
June 27 Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa, Florida +
June 29 Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta, Georgia +
June 30 The Lawn at Riverfront Park, Nashville, Tennessee +

+ With WILCO and My Morning Jacket

July 2013
July 2 AutoZone Park, Memphis, Tennessee &
July 5 Klipsch Music Center, Noblesville, Indiana &
July 6 Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio &
July 7 Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio &
July 10 Midway Stadium, St. Paul, Minnesota &
July 11 Chiefs Stadium, Peoria, Illinois &
July 12 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois &
July 14 DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan &
July 15 Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto, Ontario &
July 18 Performing Arts Center, Darien Center, New York #
July 19 The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Connecticut #
July 20 Comcast Center, Mansfield, Massachusetts #
July 21 Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, New York #
July 23 Marriweather Post Pavilion,Columbia, Maryland #
July 24 Farm Bureau Live, Virginia Beach, Virginia #
July 26 Pier A Park, Hoboken, New Jersey #
July 27 Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, New York #
July 28 Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, New Jersey #
July 31 Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, Denver, Colorado #

& With WILCO, My Morning Jacket and Richard Thompson Electric Trio
# With WILCO, My Morning Jacket and Ryan Bingham

August 2013
August 1 USANA Amphitheatre, West Valley City, Utah #
August 3 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine, California #
August 4 Shorline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, California #
# With WILCO, My Morning Jacket and Ryan Bingham

Read more?

RS: Bob Dylan Touring With Wilco My Morning Jacket For Americanarama Festival Of Music 2013