Bob Dylan today

silverfox103

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Agreed Joe. The Mrs. told me about it yesterday morning. At first, I'm thinking Nobel Prize and Bob Dylan that doesn't seem like a good fit. But, quickly I realized he was a deserved recipient. I grew up with his music, it reflected the social and political goings on of the time. His music was a lot different than the fluffy stuff of the day.

On a side note, listening to the news last night, they quoted some old sourpuss writer who said "does that make me eligible grammy award?"


Tom
 

rampside

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He always has been and always will be a target for criticism, but it pleases me to see, the right people recognize where his genius lies. Congrats Bob, very deserving.:applouse:
 

walrus

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Very cool! It's called being a songwriter for a reason!

walrus
 

JohnW63

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Didn't grow up listening to his stuff. Never got into it even later. I don't think it should be considered literature, for the same reason poetry is not up for Grammy awards, or books are not nominated for Oscars. It's all different mediums and should not be muddled.
 

adorshki

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I don't think it should be considered literature, for the same reason poetry is not up for Grammy awards,
Ummmm....:
Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word
"The category now also includes audio books, poetry readings and story telling."
And lyrics are always a critical component of "Best Song", otherwise it's "Best Instrumental"
Grammys are about excellence in performance and recording production, not "Music".
As for Nobel prizes (from Wiki):
"Nobel's last will specified that his fortune be used to create a series of prizes for those who confer the "greatest benefit on mankind"
And I was never a huge Dylan fan either, just treasure a few select gems, but I certainly wouldn't dispute his eligibility or whether he merited the award.
As mentioned, those lyrics influenced the thinking of of a huge demographic.
More than a few of them went on to work for huge social change.
As for his creds as a poet, here's a critique of the effort needed to craft "Drifter's Escape", boiling the original excess meandering verbiage down to concise lyrics that tell a story so much larger than the simple lyrics.
From Wiki:
"Biographer Clinton Heylin has noted that in writing "Drifter's Escape", Dylan found a new, economical style that allowed him to tell a five-act story in just three verses.[2] He then went on to write more songs in a similar manner, which formed the bulk of the John Wesley Harding album."
John, apologies if I sound like I'm pouring it on, I admit I got a little carried away after answering your original comment on Grammy categories.
Only in hopes that it might enhance your understanding of the man and thus his art.
But if you still just don't dig his art, well, I'm halfway there with you about a lot his stuff myself.
:friendly_wink:
 
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Quantum Strummer

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I'm fine with Dylan getting the literature Nobel. Granted, his books of lyrics are titled Lyrics rather than Poems, but many of 'em wouldn't be out of place in a book of poetry. And their creative weight and cultural impact are IMO undeniable.

-Dave-
 

5thumbs

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I'm not sure it's Nobel level, but his "Chronicles Volume One" is a good read.
 

JohnW63

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Al,

I don't believe his books were what was nominated, was it ? If they were, and they are just books of song lyrics, my point remains. As far as my Grammy comment goes, it was intended to refer to them being primarily a MUSIC award and few people know them as anything else. The point being that by selecting Bob Dylan for a literature award completely removes a strong distinction between genre of communication styles. We have these distinctions and separations for a reason. To blur these lines means that anyone can be awarded anything, as long as the selection committee thinks they are important enough. I worry that this is the case with this award. The committee were young adults in the 60s and into the " movement " music of the time. Therefore Dylan was important to them. In MY VIEW, Dylan hasn't been relevant since then. I think many people after that say they were into Dylan because that was the " in thing " to say. Again this is my view and I suspect those in the forum older than me have a different one. More than likely, they also think I don't know what the heck I am talking about since I wasn't old enough to get drafted in the 60s.

We we all have our opinions. They are created by our experiences, which differ a lot.
 

MLBob

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"Oh, they'll stone you if you win the Nobel Prize...."
 

gilded

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Dylan had his finger on the pulse of young America for about 10-11 years. That's forever, in popular culture.

Are his songs as good now compared to then? No, but some of them are absolutely wonderful. They speak to a point of view that I, as a 63 years old, can really relate to.

So, I'm okay with the award and I hope it provides some subtle change in his life that will allow him to bring out better songs. Not 'same as the old days songs', but just better songs. Repurposed, re-energized songs, if you will.

Those are my thoughts, anyway.
 

killdeer43

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Put away the music and read the lyrics to some of Dylan's poems. To name but a few:

My Back Pages
Shelter From the Storm
Simple Twist of Fate
Mr. Tambourine Man
When the Ship Comes In
Tomorrow is a Long Time
Forever Young
A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
The Times They Are A-changin'
Restless Farewell
and of course, Blowin' In the Wind

Submitted for your approval, :smile-new:
Joe
 

davismanLV

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Didn't grow up listening to his stuff. Never got into it even later. I don't think it should be considered literature, for the same reason poetry is not up for Grammy awards, or books are not nominated for Oscars. It's all different mediums and should not be muddled.
John, in my opinion, that's a bit harsh and not really correct. Literature (in the general sense): written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit.

Regardless of whether you're a fan or you were moved by his lyrics or music, very many people were, over a very long period of time. Phrases and lyrics became iconic and quoted and referred to in our society and others. The impact is not really deniable. I'm not personally a fan of listening to Bob Dylan sing or interpret his own work. His voice grates and I have trouble with it. But I've heard too many people INTERPRET his work that have moved me in ways that are really remarkable. So, although I'm not a fan of him singing, I cannot dismiss his impact on me, my friends, society, and the world at large. So I will rejoice in this departure from typical masturbation of literary figures, and embrace the awarding of someone who has really touched the world (the WHOLE world) in such an amazing and lasting way. Just my opinion, but his impact is undeniable!! Take this for what it's worth.

One of my favorites:



Dark Eyes
Bob Dylan
Oh, the gentlemen are talking and the midnight moon is on the riverside
They're drinking up and talking and it is time for me to slide
I live in another world where life and death are memorized
Where the earth is strung with lover's pearls and all I see are dark eyes.
A cock is crowing far away and another soldier's deep in prayer
Some mother's child has gone astray, she can't find him anywhere
But I can hear another drum beating for the dead that rise
Whom nature's beast fear as they come and all I see are dark eyes.
They tell me to be discreet for all intended purposes
They tell me revenge is sweet, and from where they stand I'm sure it is
But I feel nothing for their game, where beauty goes unrecognized
All I feel is heat and flame, and all I see are dark eyes.
Oh, the French girl, she's in paradise and a drunken man is at the wheel
Hunger pays a heavy price to the falling god of speed and steel
Oh, time is short and the days are sweet and passion rules the arrow that flies
A million faces at my feet but all I see are dark eyes.

Just one minor example, John. Take it in.......
 
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coastie99

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I'll be forever grateful to Mr. Zimmerman for writing what I refer to as my "F*#+ You" songs; Like A Rolling Stone and Positively 4th Street.

When some germ has thoroughly pissed me off I put those two on when I get home and sing along at the top of my voice. It works wonderfully for me.
 

davismanLV

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Gary, I think we've all used those songs in just that way, and isn't that what we're talking about? The award is unexpected, but WELL deserved!! :encouragement:
 

rampside

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Tom, You rock, Dude! Very well said, Thank you.

Al, Thank you you for your tireless willingness to research and often times, your very unique perspective on things. LMAO! . If LTG awarded a prize, equivalent to the Nobel for literary contribution to this forum, you'd be right there at the top, buddy.

Open to interpretation of course! :laughing:

So, how many contributions must a man make, before you can call him a man? "The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind"
 
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