Bob's Other Voice
December 10, 2016 5:21 PM Subscribe
On a day when a nervous Patti Smith served as Bob Dylan's voice in Stockholm, imagine a world where the new Nobel laureate sang three semitones lower.
... and then on to the economics presentation
posted by philip-random at 5:50 PM on December 10, 2016
posted by philip-random at 5:50 PM on December 10, 2016
There are moments when I wish people would just accept that Bob Dylan's voice is awesome - it isn't for everyone - but it is flat out distinctive, unapologetic, and so ingrained into the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s that... well... he's defined an American sound - a world sound - for over half a century.
posted by Nanukthedog at 5:51 PM on December 10, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by Nanukthedog at 5:51 PM on December 10, 2016 [12 favorites]
The New Yorker article is beautiful. Might've been worth its own FPP.
posted by RedOrGreen at 5:58 PM on December 10, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by RedOrGreen at 5:58 PM on December 10, 2016 [10 favorites]
There are moments when I wish people would just accept that Bob Dylan's voice is awesome - it isn't for everyone - but it is flat out distinctive, unapologetic, and so ingrained into the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s that... well... he's defined an American sound - a world sound - for over half a century.
Agreed.
posted by Jackson at 6:56 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Agreed.
posted by Jackson at 6:56 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was born during the Cuban Missile Crisis and this particular song evokes for me a just what a frightening time that must have been, even in the relatively far north, underneath the flight paths, and yet: a new baby. Such emotions.
Some of Dylan is just Lennon-esque word salad and I can do fine without it, but this song alone could have deserved the Nobel, no doubt about it.
posted by Rumple at 7:13 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Some of Dylan is just Lennon-esque word salad and I can do fine without it, but this song alone could have deserved the Nobel, no doubt about it.
posted by Rumple at 7:13 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Goodness.
Patti's delivery of this song is both faithful and superlative.
I want to hear her sing all of his work.
posted by entropone at 7:18 PM on December 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
Patti's delivery of this song is both faithful and superlative.
I want to hear her sing all of his work.
posted by entropone at 7:18 PM on December 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
Flubs aside, this is a beautiful rendition of a beautiful and heartbreaking song.
posted by klanawa at 7:20 PM on December 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by klanawa at 7:20 PM on December 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
Semi-toned Moonshiner drops it down in my range. God, that song is best belt out when walking across University Bridge. It is such a fun song to sing.
posted by y2karl at 11:22 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by y2karl at 11:22 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Semi-toned Moonshiner drops it down in my range. God, that song is best
best version I've heard is Bob Forrest's take from the I'm Not There soundtrack -- heartbreaking.
posted by philip-random at 11:39 PM on December 10, 2016
best version I've heard is Bob Forrest's take from the I'm Not There soundtrack -- heartbreaking.
posted by philip-random at 11:39 PM on December 10, 2016
Bob Dylan Nobel prize speech: this is 'truly beyond words'
The announcement that Dylan had won the literature prize caused controversy with critics arguing his lyrics were not literature. On learning he had been awarded the literature prize Dylan said he thought of Shakespeare. “When he was writing Hamlet, I’m sure he was thinking about a lot of different things: ‘Who’re the right actors for these roles? How should this be staged? Do I really want to set this in Denmark?’
“His creative vision and ambitions were no doubt at the forefront of his mind, but there were also more mundane matters to consider and deal with. ‘Is the financing in place? Are there enough good seats for my patrons? Where am I going to get a human skull?’ I would bet that the farthest thing from Shakespeare’s mind was the question: ‘Is this literature?’
“Like Shakespeare, I too am often occupied with the pursuit of my creative endeavours and dealing with all aspects of life’s mundane matters. ‘Who are the best musicians for these songs? Am I recording in the right studio? Is this song in the right key?’ Some things never change, even in 400 years. Not once have I ever had the time to ask myself ‘are my songs literature?’ So, I do thank the Swedish academy, both for taking the time to consider that very question and ultimately, for providing such a wonderful answer.”
posted by philip-random at 1:18 AM on December 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
The announcement that Dylan had won the literature prize caused controversy with critics arguing his lyrics were not literature. On learning he had been awarded the literature prize Dylan said he thought of Shakespeare. “When he was writing Hamlet, I’m sure he was thinking about a lot of different things: ‘Who’re the right actors for these roles? How should this be staged? Do I really want to set this in Denmark?’
“His creative vision and ambitions were no doubt at the forefront of his mind, but there were also more mundane matters to consider and deal with. ‘Is the financing in place? Are there enough good seats for my patrons? Where am I going to get a human skull?’ I would bet that the farthest thing from Shakespeare’s mind was the question: ‘Is this literature?’
“Like Shakespeare, I too am often occupied with the pursuit of my creative endeavours and dealing with all aspects of life’s mundane matters. ‘Who are the best musicians for these songs? Am I recording in the right studio? Is this song in the right key?’ Some things never change, even in 400 years. Not once have I ever had the time to ask myself ‘are my songs literature?’ So, I do thank the Swedish academy, both for taking the time to consider that very question and ultimately, for providing such a wonderful answer.”
posted by philip-random at 1:18 AM on December 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
The full presentation speech, by Horace Engdahl.
The full banquet speech, by Bob Dylan, given by Azita Raji.
The academy says the traditional Nobel Lecture is likely to be delivered next year.
posted by effbot at 12:11 PM on December 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
The full banquet speech, by Bob Dylan, given by Azita Raji.
The academy says the traditional Nobel Lecture is likely to be delivered next year.
posted by effbot at 12:11 PM on December 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
In her own words: It was not lost on me that the narrative of the song begins with the words “I stumbled alongside of twelve misty mountains,” and ends with the line “And I’ll know my song well before I start singing.” As I took my seat, I felt the humiliating sting of failure, but also the strange realization that I had somehow entered and truly lived the world of the lyrics.
posted by rewil at 2:31 PM on December 14, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by rewil at 2:31 PM on December 14, 2016 [4 favorites]
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posted by philip-random at 5:49 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]