To write a little piece about Willie Nelson's work when he is arriving at 90, is bound to be just tipping your toe into the great ocean of songs, performances, genres, collaborations & discography of this unique original wandering gypsy of music. I remember seeing him in the nineties with a Mount Rushmore of Country … Continue reading Happy 90th Birthday, Willie Nelson! (An introduction or just a trip down Memory Lane.)
“Songs From Behind The Curtain” – Fragments: Time Out of Mind Sessions (1996 – 1997), Bootleg Series Vol 17, Bob Dylan, 2023
"Some of us turn off the lights and we layUp in the moonlight shooting bySome of us scare ourselves to death in the darkTo be where the angels fly" ("Red River Shore", Bob Dylan) When Bob Dylan's "Time Out of Mind" was released in September 1997, it took most of the world with surprise. February … Continue reading “Songs From Behind The Curtain” – Fragments: Time Out of Mind Sessions (1996 – 1997), Bootleg Series Vol 17, Bob Dylan, 2023
The Sound of Bob Dylan – Poetry for your Ear.
It has always been the case, for me, that it is the sound of Bob Dylan that forms the basis of my passionate relationship with the artist. The sound itself is also fundamental to my understanding of his art. This in no way detracts from Dylan's talent as a poet and master of words, his … Continue reading The Sound of Bob Dylan – Poetry for your Ear.
“Without A Song The Day Would Never End” – About “The Philosophy of Modern Song”, Bob Dylan, 2022
You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover. Actually, you can't even judge a book by the title. Not this book, anyway. You might wanna judge it by the dedication to the great Doc Pomus, also honored by Dylan before. Class. Think about this - you are walking into an old style bar room, dim … Continue reading “Without A Song The Day Would Never End” – About “The Philosophy of Modern Song”, Bob Dylan, 2022
“First Among Equals, Second To None!” – Bob Dylan At London Palladium, 24th of October, 2022
I'm speechless! I just don't know what to say - and I have to say it at once! The show tonight was by far the best of the nine I've seen this fall. It was beautiful beyond words, it was unforgettable and I am flabbergasted & overwhelmed by emotions after a unique concert, and after … Continue reading “First Among Equals, Second To None!” – Bob Dylan At London Palladium, 24th of October, 2022
“It’s Alright, Ma, I’m Only Sighing” – Bob Dylan at London Palladium, 23rd of October, 2022
“What is a poet? An unhappy man who hides deep anguish in his heart, but whose lips are so formed that when the sigh and cry pass through them, it sounds like lovely music.... And people flock around the poet and say: 'Sing again soon' - that is, 'May new sufferings torment your soul but … Continue reading “It’s Alright, Ma, I’m Only Sighing” – Bob Dylan at London Palladium, 23rd of October, 2022
“The truth was obscure, Too profound and too pure, To live it you had to explode.” – Bob Dylan at London Palladium, 20th of October 2022
What is truth? To tell you the truth, that's not an easy question to answer. So much of life is placed in this twilight zone between us, the truth as you see it and what I believe or experience as truth. You are right from your side, and I am right from mine, we're both … Continue reading “The truth was obscure, Too profound and too pure, To live it you had to explode.” – Bob Dylan at London Palladium, 20th of October 2022
“Such is life, such is happiness” – Bob Dylan at The London Palladium, 19th of October, 2022
It is nearly sixty years since Bob Dylan first visited England in the fall of 1962, to participate in the BBC production, "Madhouse on Castle Street". Sixty years, sixty banners united over the fields, where the good shepherd grieves. In about thirty of those sixty years, Dylan visited London for one or more shows. London … Continue reading “Such is life, such is happiness” – Bob Dylan at The London Palladium, 19th of October, 2022
“Je est un autre.” – Bob Dylan at Grand Rex, Paris, 13th of October, 2022
I came across one of his letters called "Je est un autre," which translates into "I is someone else." When I read those words the bells went off. It made perfect sense. I wished someone would have mentioned that to me earlier." (Bob Dylan about Rimbaud:"Chronicles, vol 1") Bob Dylan's masks are many, as is … Continue reading “Je est un autre.” – Bob Dylan at Grand Rex, Paris, 13th of October, 2022
“The Times We’ve Known” – Bob Dylan at Grand Rex in Paris, 12th of October, 2022
Bob Dylan was a great fan of Charles Aznavour, the French-Armenian larger-than-life character, actor, singer and songwriter, who worked closely with Piaf in the forties & early fifties, before making an amazing solo career for the rest of his life. He made a lasting impression on Dylan, who once named him one out of two … Continue reading “The Times We’ve Known” – Bob Dylan at Grand Rex in Paris, 12th of October, 2022
Johnny B. 