Category Archives: Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan: The Times They Are a-Changin’, released 50 years ago today

Dylan_The_Times_They_Are_A_Changin_front “The message isn’t in the words, …. I don’t do anything with a sort of message.
I’m just transferring my thoughts into music. Nobody can give you a message like that.”
~Bob Dylan (to Ray Coleman, May 1965)—-

Dylan’s third album reflects his mood in August-October 1963. It is also a product for his need to live up to and expand on the role he found himself in, topical poet, the restless young man with something to say, singing to and for a new generation.
~Paul Williams (BD performing artist 1960-73)

Continue reading Bob Dylan: The Times They Are a-Changin’, released 50 years ago today

The 5 Best box sets and reissues of 2013


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I am one of those old guys that still buy physical copies of art (albums). I say it is because I need it to play in the car, but that’s really just an excuse. I love the sensation of unpacking a new album, the feel, the artwork, the printed lyrics, the smell, hell, the whole package!

When the record companies have sold me all the classic albums, they release them again, with better sound, with more songs and bonus features, I don’t feel cheated, I feel blessed. I love archival music stuff, and long to hear studio outtakes, live takes and alternative versions of songs.

It has been a good year for music archivists, and my favorite reissues/archival releases this year are:

 1. Bob Dylan – Another Self Portrait (1969-1971) The Bootleg Series Vol.10

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This is from my post right after I bought the box set:

I have now had a few days listening to the new Bootleg series 10 deluxe box set. It is very interesting, and it is actually rather good. I am one of those few that kind of liked the original album, so I expected to like Another Self Portrait. I was not expecting that I would like it as much as I do.

That said, there are two things that stand out however. The first is the demo version of When I Paint My Masterpiece, it knocked me out. It is breathtakingly beautiful.

But the best of the release is the full Isle of Wight performance with The Band, and I really did not expect that!

– Hallgeir Olsen (Johannasvisions.com)

When I paint my masterpiece – Demo:

A fantastic historical document!

2. The Band – Live at the Academy of Music 1971

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A 4-CD/1-DVD box set chronicles Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel’s 1971 concerts at New York’s Academy of Music, featuring arrangements by New Orleans great Allen Toussaint.

One of the best live albums in rock history got the deluxe treatment, and yes, it got even better. Rock of Ages had 18 wonderful tracks, this upgrade has 56(!) tracks with The Band (and Bob Dylan) at their very peak. 56 best takes of songs from  four evenings in 1971 (including the New-Years eve show in its entirety). I have played Rock of Ages so much I thought that nothing could surprise me, but this set did. The sound, the packaging, the liner notes and the pictures, everything is top-notch.

Life is a Carnival (Live, 1971):

Continue reading The 5 Best box sets and reissues of 2013

The 5 most popular Bob Dylan posts at JV in 2013


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When I say the most popular Bob Dylan posts, it means the 5 most popular posts overall. If we exclude the front page/home page the first non-Dylan post is at number 23, Bruce Springsteen plays Bob Dylan. The first post not related to Bob Dylan at all is at 28, Iconic Rock Photos: Keith Richards “Who the fuck is Mick Jagger” (and that post is almost two years old!).

Anyway, here are our top posts in 2013:

1. Bob Dylan videos – 9 May – 22 029 visitors

2. Bob Dylan concerts @ JV – 27 Feb – 13 878 visitors
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3. Bob Dylan: Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) – 8 Sep – 8993 visitors
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4. Bob Dylan recording sessions – 7 Mar – 8205 visitors
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5. Bob Dylan: Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada 20 April 1980 (Videos) – 19 Dec – 7551 visitors
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Today: Bob Dylan released “John Wesley Harding” in 1967, 46 years ago

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 I heard the sound that Gordon Lightfoot was getting, with Charlie McCoy and Kenny Buttrey. I’d used Charlie and Kenny both before, and I figured if he could get that sound, I could…. but we couldn’t get it. (Laughs) It was an attempt to get it, but it didn’t come off. We got a different sound… I don’t know what you’d call that… It’s a muffled sound.
~Bob Dylan (to Jann Wenner November 29, 1969)

Continue reading Today: Bob Dylan released “John Wesley Harding” in 1967, 46 years ago

Aaslandbros and Trond Eltervaag Hansen sings Girl from the North Country


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If you’re traveling in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
For she was once a true love of mine.

Girl from the North Country” (occasionally known as “Girl of the North Country”) is a song written by Bob Dylan. It was first released in 1963 as the second track on Dylan’s second studio album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Dylan re-recorded the song as a duet with Johnny Cash in 1969. That recording became the first track on Nashville Skyline, Dylan’s ninth studio album.

This is a cover version of the Johnny Cash/Bob Dylan duet and it is very well done!

Live at Folken, Stavanger (Norway)  Aaslandbros 5 year anniversary as a Johnny Cash Tribute Band:

Bonus:

The original performed at the Johnny Cash Show:

– Hallgeir