An Ode to Bob Dylan

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Jamie, after reading your article I must conclude that you're an idiot wind......
(sorry...couldn't resist, hope you can take a joke)
I would hope congressmen would heed the call because the majority of Americans are against this horrendous, unconstitutional sell out to big insurance that they refr to as "health care reform". What a load of manure.

allen of MS 11:32AM December 23, 2009

Why so critical? I don't see your articles posted anywhere online...what's that old saying...if you don't have anything possitive to say why say anything at all? It's a snippet of an article about an even greater songster...leave it at that and learn some civility

udahman of WI 10:31PM December 01, 2009

Reminded me of the norwegian ode to Bob Dylan by the group Prima Vera, named (H)ode til Bob (meaning Bob's head). Yhe song's funny. But knowing Norwegian is probaby a good start...
You can listen to a taste or buy the song here:
http://www.mfn.musikkonline.no/shop/displayPerson.asp?pid=26426&pname=HERODES%20FALSK&pg=11

Martin 10:32AM December 01, 2009

A nice article, but WAY too full of musical cliches. Surely she could have put it better in her words rather than relying on so many of his song titles?

Cher of IN 9:40PM November 30, 2009

This is a great piece of writing, There is something happening and yo DO know what it is, don´t tou, Ms. Stiehm?

Sergio Zurita 11:22PM November 29, 2009

great playing, 50's style arrangements, a masterpiece

Steve of CA 8:52PM November 29, 2009

The mid-70s albums remain my favorites, like Blood on the Tracks, Desire, Street Legal, but there's not a single album that doesn't reaffirm my hope in America's creative heritage as well as its future. But that Christmas album is, well, these things are meant to test us.

ed of WV 5:18PM November 29, 2009

dylan and sting??? please god -no!Not Sting!

kit-kat 3:25PM November 29, 2009

Good article, but yes, as others have mentioned Times They Are a Changin' was written before US involvement in the conflict and therefore could have not been written as an anti-Vietnam song.
I don't think this is reason to rip the author, but it just shows how Bob often renders things that people thing are so obviously true of him actually untrue.
Therein lies the beauty of Bob. His songs became the soundtrack for so many things, but he was really just writing songs about powerful subjects. Songs like Masters of War and John Brown, too, though cited as being from the "protest era," we written before there was such a thing.
Dylan's geographical and cultural grasp of America is astounding, great point. I too saw Bob (in NYC) two months after the attacks and it was a special moment. But so were the 20 other shows I've seen, and taken together - they are doubly worth the sum of their parts . . .

Silvio of NY 10:02AM November 29, 2009

To Phil - One of the wonderful things about many Dylan songs is that they are relevant to many things. "The Times They Are A-Changin'" can be interpreted as anti-war, anti-discrimination, anti-poverty, anti-capitalism, or anti-anything. It is a simple statement that the old order is being challenged and things must change. Youth of the time were fighting for justice - civil rights, peace, love, freedom.... Since the time it was written, it has also been relevant to women's rights, gay rights, healthcare reform, Iraq, etc. At the end of his concert on election day, Dylan declared that it looks like things are finally going to change. Like "Blowin' in the Wind," this song is an anthem for those who want to bring about change.
To Jamie - This tribute captures much of why Bob means so much to so many, and why, as Alan notes, he has inspired so many to serve humanity. It's also why Pete thanks God that he has him in his life. For me, he speaks of everything that truly matters in life, offering comfort and challenging me to think more deeply.

Velma of MN 7:29AM November 29, 2009