| “The Best of Bob Dylan” CD
For some time now, and I have no idea how long that is, I have had a special CD in the car: The Best of Bob Dylan. It was not inside any protective paper enclosure and has lived in a side pocket below the left armrest for years, then somehow rejoined the present. That has been a wonderful development, since I had the opportunity to notice it once again and listen to it while driving around town doing various errands. The CD includes sixteen works, apparently recorded from 1962 all the way through 2008. Dylan is nothing if not prolific and has moved over the years from strictly acoustic guitar and harmonica to accompany his nasal voice to rock style instruments and full orchestral accompaniment. In my opinion, the best works on the “Best of” reissue CD have full professional backups with a number of instruments, yet at its heart, it’s pure Dylan. The first few songs, from the early sixties, are pure original coffee shop Dylan; just him and his acoustic guitar and harmonica. These, including Blowin’ in the Wind and The Times They Are A-Changin’ are classic early works, and this “period” of Dylan, if I may use this term, conclude with the classic Mr. Tambourine Man, from 1965. The following song, Like a Rolling Stone is different, with a full professional arrangement, and it’s a five-star diamond. The next five-star (for me at least) work is Lay, Lady, Lay. This is almost indescribably tender and moving. “Lady” is followed by Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, a somber, almost funereal gloom-fest, but beautiful on its own. I’d give that a four star rating. However it is followed by the nearly impossibly beautiful and meaningful “Tangled Up in Blue.” To me, this is a five-star song and the way it is arranged represents Dylan at his absolute best. “Blue” has to be one of the greatest songs ever recorded, at least to me. “Forever Young” is a good one but did not connect with me the way the most moving did; four stars. The next “killer” song for me, another five-star was “Gotta Serve Somebody.” The final song that really reached me was “Not Dark Yet,” a somber, slow one with full professional accompaniment; four to five stars. Enjoy! Enjoy life; it's the only one we will get. J.K. (Jim) George ********************************************************************** * Check out my books and blogs on my author website: www.authorjkgeorge.com Please recommend them to your friends. Also, recall that I’ll travel to any book club or radio club within two hours of Austin to discuss either of the books and answer any questions. Any and all comments are welcome either by email to my return address, n3bb@mindspring.com, or to the website in the comments section after any blog. * Reunion is available in stock at Tamarack on the West Virginia Turnpike as well as at amazon.com and other Internet retail locations. It’s under consideration for a movie, and a screenplay now is under active development! *Contact Sport is in stock in hardcover print format at any of the thirteen HRO (Ham Radio Outlet) stores nationwide as well as at DX-Engineering and the American Radio Relay League. In addition, many Barnes and Noble stores nationwide carry it in stock, and they, as well as Book People in Austin or any independent bookstore can order it. You can buy direct at my website’s link for a personalized copy. *Both books now are available in Print, eBook, and Audio Book formats at all major Internet retailers or from my web site as an personally autographed copy in any print form. |
