Tag Archives: Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan other

Bob Dylan: Getting To Dylan (Essential BBC Documentary from 1986)

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Redirecting to a newer version of this post….

Getting To dylan, the essential filmed portrait of the post-conversion Dylan, remains an important adjunct to “Don’t Look Back”, “Eat The Document”, and “Renaldo and Clara”, the three other films to confront the myth as it surrounds and, in “Getting To dylan”, envelops the man.
~Clinton Heylin (Behind The shades)

I tend to agree with Clinton Heylin’s assessment [about “Getting To Dylan”]
~Paul Williams (BD Performing Artist 1986-1990 & beyond)

Filmed during the making of his movie Hearts On Fire (1987).

This BBC documentary captures Bob Dylan in a nice mood answering questions on songwriting, fans, etc… while sketching pictures of interviewer Christopher Sykes.

getting to dylan 1986

“I just write ‘em because nobody says you can’t write ‘em”
~Bob Dylan

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Bob Dylan, Cover versions

May 20: Cher Covers Bob Dylan – Happy Birthday Cher

Sonny-and-Cher-with-Bob-Dylan-in-1965.

Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) Recognized for having brought the sense of female autonomy and self-actualization into the entertainment industry, she is known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for having worked in various areas of entertainment, as well as continuously reinventing both her music and image, which has led to her being nicknamed the Goddess of Pop.

In his MusiCares speak Bob Dylan thanked Sonny and Cher for helping getting his songs known in the early days of his career:

“The Byrds, the Turtles, Sonny & Cher – they made some of my songs Top 10 hits but I wasn’t a pop songwriter and I really didn’t want to be that, but it was good that it happened. Their versions of my songs were like commercials, but I didn’t really mind that, because 50 years later, my songs were being used in the commercials. So that was good too. I was glad it happened, and I was glad they’d done it.”

Cher has covered many Bob Dylan songs throughout her career:

All I Really Wanna Do, Blowin’ In The Wind, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right, I Threw It All Away, Like A Rolling Stone,  Masters Of War, The Times, They Are A-Changin’, Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You, Lay, Baby, Lay (yes, really!) and I Want You (Please tell us if there are more).

Like a Rolling Stone (audio):

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Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan other, Cover versions

May 20: The Late Joe Cocker (born May 20, 1944) Sings Bob Dylan

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Joe_cocker_1970

John Robert Cocker OBE (born 20th May 1944– died  22nd Dec 2014) — known as Joe Cocker — was an English rock and blues singer, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is known for his gritty voice, his spasmodic body movement in performance and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles.

He covered many songs by Bob Dylan, here are those I managed to find today:

Seven Days, Live with Ron Wood and Eric Clapton (1983):

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Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan - Brilliant Live Performances, Bob Dylan Concerts

Bob Dylan: 6 Brilliant Live Performances From The Year 1994

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Edna Gundersen: Was playing at Woodstock [1994] a special moment?

Bob Dylan: Nah, it was just another show, really. We just blew in and blew out of there. You do wonder if you’re coming across, because you feel so small on a stage like that.

Never Ending Tour 1994
Start date February 5, 1994
End date November 13, 1994
Legs 5
No. of shows 14 in Asia
73 in North America
17 in Europe
–
104 in Total

A fine N.E.T. year with 3 very special moments:

  • Playing “Masters of War” in Hiroshima
  • The Great Music Experience – Nara, Japan
  • Woodstock 94

Please use the Comments section to  post your personal favourites from 1994.

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Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan recording sessions

May 4: Bob Dylan – 5th and last Slow Train Coming Recording Session in 1979

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Bob Dylan slow train

The reaction on the (U.S.) Slow Train tour was disheartening at times. But it doesn’t wound you because you get used to the ups and downs. You get to where the praise doesn’t mean anything because it’s often for the wrong reason, and it’s the same with the criticism. Besides, I don’t think I’ll be perceived properly till 100 years after I’m gone. I really believe that. I don’t think anybody has really caught on to Blonde On Blonde yet.
~Bob Dylan (to Robert Hilburn – June 1984)

…. Musically, this is probably Dylan’s finest record, a rare coming together of inspiration, desire and talent that completely fuse strength, vision and art. Bob Dylan is the greatest singer of our times. No one is better. No one, in objective fact, is even very close. His versatility and vocal skills are unmatched. His resonance and feeling are beyond those of any of his contemporaries. More than his ability with words, and more than his insight, his voice is God’s greatest gift to him. So when I listen to “When He Returns,” the words finally don’t matter at all. They are as good as they ever were, maybe even better. … I am hearing a voice.
~Jann Wenner (the famous “Slow Train Coming” review Sept 1979)

The last recording session brought us 4 masters: Gotta Serve Somebody, Do Right To Me Baby (Do Unto Others), When He Returns & Man Gave Names To All The Animals.

bob dylan slow train back

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