Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue
Okay so here it is, the top 5 greatest solo artists of all time! This is not my personal opinion, more along the lines of fact as each of these 5 artists has numerous hit albums, singles, and videos. They were very relevant when they burst onto the scene, grew to be massively popular, and remain to be very popular today. Those who are alive continue to pack large arenas all over the globe and those who are not certainly would if they could. Each of these artists influenced entire generations of other musicians, styles, and people all over the world. They also changed the game by constantly innovating and setting the standards for popular music. For each of the 5 artists I will post a famous and personal favourite song of mine as well as a more obscure track.
Bob Dylan is the greatest songwriter of all time. He is also one of the coolest mothafuckas alive. Bob has hundreds (possibly even thousands) of recordings and dozens of albums to his name. They come in varying styles and genres, from simple folk songs from his early work (The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan) to the beginning of the electric era (Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde) to religion (Slow Train Coming) to work with The Band after a horrific motorcycle accident (John Wesley Harding) to a stint in The Travelling Wilbury's, a supergroup that also featured Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne (be sure to check out "Tweeter and the Monkey Man"), to his most recent recordings (Modern Times and this year's The Tempest, which is the greatest album ever made by a 71-year old!). Throughout the years Dylan has recorded and toured at a consistent pace that very few other musicians can match (well none, actually). As much as fans would like to say they know the man he remains one of music's biggest mysteries. Many lyrics and stories from the sixties remain hazy and he is one confusing, yet brilliant dude (check out his most recent interview with Rolling Stone Magazine and you'll see what I mean).
Dylan has all but lost his voice and when performing live he starts out good but quickly derails and starts a croak that would make even Cookie Monster jealous. According to his autobiography, Chronicles (a must read for any fan), this is the only way that he is still able to sing and perform live. Take it for what you want... I saw him a few years ago, and yes it was quite the croak, but yes it was Bob Fucking Dylan. He was shaky on some (I didn't even realize he'd played "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" until I saw the setlist after!) but newer tracks, a great band, and some rearrangements made for a solid show. Plus where else can you see the greatest song of all time (according to RS and many other lists) "Like A Rolling Stone" performed live by the original.
"Tangled Up In Blue" is one of the most loved Dylan songs. The lyrics are amazing as always, but it's the rambling acoustic guitar (especially during the verse breaks) that makes it. Dylan sings it with a ragged fury and great diction. Also the final harmonica solo is one of the best ever. There are also a few alternate versions of this song, check out the one off the Bootleg Series or the version that he performs live now where he eliminates himself from the lyrics, venturing into the third person and a removal from the audience. I actually took an English class at University and his Chronicles book and the Bootleg Series CDs were part of the course material. I got to write an essay about this song on the final exam, how sick is that!
Bob Dylan - Someday Baby (Alternate Version)
Can't find it on YouTube (Travesty!) but here's a download link:
This is my favourite Dylan song. The chug-along of the drums and bass is probably the best ever. Also the guitar playing is beautiful and piercing. But it's the lyrics, the simple rhyming lines and the repetition of the line "Someday Baby, you ain't gonna worry..." that make this song so incredible. "Living this way ain't a natural thing to do, why was I born to love you?" is the greatest closing line to a song ever.
Bob Dylan fucking rules. If you're can't get past his voice, like many, be sure to check out "Hurricane" or "Lay, Lady, Lay" for a different perspective.
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