Monday, September 13, 2004
Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde
When I first thought about writing this blog/daily review column, I realised that there would be a few difficulties. In opening my thoughts up to the whole world (albeit an admittedly small subset), my opinions and musings on a record might be perceived as carrying some weight. Which means that when covering certain 'mighty' artists or albums, I'd be letting myself in for arguments. So before I continue, let me clarify : it's just a blog, a few of my thoughts, and if you disagree, tough!
Bob Dylan is certainly perceived as one of the mightiest artists around. Still touring and releasing new material, his back catalogue is one of the most intensively studied of all solo singer-songwriters. And
Blonde On Blonde is frequently held up as his greatest recording. A double-album set, it was considered a true epic on its release in 1966, even though now in the CD age its size is not so remarkable.
Inside, you'll find a remarkable collection of songs. Dylan's lyrics are zany without being stupid, and with four sides of vinyl at his disposal, he can easily afford to spread out and hit the listener with verse after verse of calculated nonsense. From the plain bizarre "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35", through the lovingly sneering "Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat" (where fashion comes first), to the closing epic folk ballad of "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands", the sheer amount of poetry in song is impressive. No wonder the album has the mighty status that it does.
Given that all the songs have been analysed to death by countless others, and given that this page is meant to offer a review with a personal slant, you're right to be wondering at this point precisely what I think of today's choice. Well, I can appreciate the quality of the songwriting. I can smile at the jokes and enjoy the snide comments. I'm able to find Dylan's playing and voice slightly comical in itself (never has the word 'singer' been used so loosely).
But can I come to terms with the majesty of the occasion? Not quite. Until I know the words off by heart (and through tinny car speakers with road rumble, it's not always easy to tell, although the quality of the remastering on these new releases is startlingly good) and have managed to decipher the meaning of at least some of the twisted imagery, Dylan's masterpiece will remain a mystery. Then again, that's always how he's liked things to be.
Bob Dylan is certainly perceived as one of the mightiest artists around. Still touring and releasing new material, his back catalogue is one of the most intensively studied of all solo singer-songwriters. And
Blonde On Blonde is frequently held up as his greatest recording. A double-album set, it was considered a true epic on its release in 1966, even though now in the CD age its size is not so remarkable.
Inside, you'll find a remarkable collection of songs. Dylan's lyrics are zany without being stupid, and with four sides of vinyl at his disposal, he can easily afford to spread out and hit the listener with verse after verse of calculated nonsense. From the plain bizarre "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35", through the lovingly sneering "Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat" (where fashion comes first), to the closing epic folk ballad of "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands", the sheer amount of poetry in song is impressive. No wonder the album has the mighty status that it does.
Given that all the songs have been analysed to death by countless others, and given that this page is meant to offer a review with a personal slant, you're right to be wondering at this point precisely what I think of today's choice. Well, I can appreciate the quality of the songwriting. I can smile at the jokes and enjoy the snide comments. I'm able to find Dylan's playing and voice slightly comical in itself (never has the word 'singer' been used so loosely).
But can I come to terms with the majesty of the occasion? Not quite. Until I know the words off by heart (and through tinny car speakers with road rumble, it's not always easy to tell, although the quality of the remastering on these new releases is startlingly good) and have managed to decipher the meaning of at least some of the twisted imagery, Dylan's masterpiece will remain a mystery. Then again, that's always how he's liked things to be.
# posted by Sam : 20:38
