Greetings, and welcome to philebrity.com/dylanology, your one-stop shopping for all any and every kind of Dylan ephemera, brought to you by Bob Dylan with The Raconteurs Live at the Wachovia Spectrum on November 18. From now through the 18th, we here at Philebrity will be posting all things Dylan in this space, from Philly/Dylan memories to musings from various Philebrities to ‚Äî you know you want it ‚Äî lists! Got a piece of Dylan arcana, a photo or memory, maybe even a brush with His Bobness to share with us? Don’t be shy: Send it to tips[at]philebrity[dot]com with “Dylanology” in the subject header.

—–

Tender Moments: Bob & That Guy From Dire Straits

Lately, we here at Dylanology have been kinda fascinated with a period of Bob that we had never bothered with all that much before. But we will try and describe it: Post-Christian weirdbeard period but before he had the roughest ’80s ever. We call this period “Street Infidel,” as it includes both the Street Legal album, as well as Infidels. We like this phase because it was when Bob was just like hangin’ solid with Mark Knopfler, before Knopfler got sucked into MTV cornpone jive, possibly never to return. Bob’s wily and tough here, but at the saaaaame time, way mellow. Wethinks he thought it suited him.

—–

On The BobWire: Bob’s Top 5 Whoopsies

By now, you’ve no doubt heard about the ill-fated Twyla Tharp Bob Dylan musical. The Chicago Tribune points to some other rather historic BobBlunders. Dig ‘em:

1. “Tarantula.” Billed at different points as “poetry” and “A Fragmentary Novel,” Dylan’s first book, written in 1966 and published in 1971, confused the heck out of readers trying to scan his impenetrable stream-of-consciousness ramblings.

2. “Dylan.” When Dylan left Columbia Records in 1973, the label retaliated by releasing this collection of previously rejected cover versions. If you ever wanted to hear Dylan destroy “Mr. Bojangles,” Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and a couple of Elvis Presley tunes, this is the place.

3. “Renaldo and Clara.” Filmed in 1975 and released in 1978, this surrealistic writing-directing turn from Dylan was almost four hours long in its original form. It was torn to pieces in the few cities where it screened before Dylan pulled this version, forever.

4. “At Budokan.” In 1978 Cheap Trick recorded a classic live album at this Japanese venue. That same year Dylan recorded his worst, a collection of his greatest hits reimagined as Las Vegas lounge tunes.

5. “Masked and Anonymous.” Another mind-boggling Dylan film, this 2003 allegorical tale was pseudonymously co-written by the singer and director Larry Charles (whose follow-up was “Borat”). Some strong band performances can’t keep an all-star cast from sinking in the murk.

Say what you will, we’re actually kinda into blunders #2 and #5. But that’s just us.
Chicago Tribune: I’ve Fogotten More Than You’ll Ever Know

——-

Recommendation: Mojo’s “The Roots Of Bob Dylan”

Mojo Magazine always does a great job with these “Roots Of…” CDs ‚Äî “The Roots Of Led Zeppelin” is absolutely awesome, and track it down any way possible if you’ve not heard it ‚Äî and “The Roots Of Bob Dylan” is no exception. It was given away with the Sept. ‘06 issue and features a lot of the usual characters named as Bob influences ‚Äî Hank Williams, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, etc. ‚Äî which is a great roadmap for Bob’s current old-timey incarnation. Added value, then, are the more left-field tracks by folks like Richie Havens and this one, from the remarkably current-sounding Karen Dalton:
Karen Dalton: “How Did The Feeling Feel To You” [mp3]
Wait, was that Devendra Banhart? We kid. Make this one a part of your next used-CD adventure. You won’t be sorry.

—

Tender Moments: Regarding Scarlett Johansson, Deals Going Down, Etc.

We just got a little misty! From Modern Times.

—

The Reviews Are In: “The Music Of Bob Dylan” At Lincoln Center

Murmuring silkily over her barely strummed electric guitar, Cat Power sung the antique ballad “House of the Rising Sun,” which Bob Dylan covered on his eponymous 1962 debut. Back then, Mr. Dylan talked about a ruined girl taking a train back to evil New Orleans, but beneath Cat Power’s sweetly hazy guitar, she changed the words. “One foot on the platform, the other on a stage,” she sung. “I’ll never go back to where it all changed.”

The twist was quietly Dylanesque: inventive, foggy and persuasively autobiographical. The 23 other headliners at this cover-fest at Avery Fisher Hall couldn’t quite match that, but they nonetheless put on a riveting concert.

NYObserver: Clap Your Hands Say Wha?
RollingStone: Hey, This Is WAY Better Than That Weird Musical They Just Shut Down
VillageVoice: Captain Kirk And ?uestlove Save The Day

—–

Under The Covers: Nico, “I’ll Keep It With Mine”

Can you blame us for absolutely refusing to drop the whole “Girls Do Dylan” mp3 thread? It’s a veritable treasure trove of delights ‚Äî somewhere, there must be a scrappy young Dylanologist hard at work on a master’s thesis about feminist viewpoints in interpretations of Dylan tunes sung by women ‚Äî and hey, some of these tunes are among our faves. Today’s cover is not only no exception, but also among our favorite Dylan songs, performed by Bob or not. But a little bit of backstory first, for “I’ll Keep It With Mine” has a history of mystery and neglect.
From the Bob Dylan Who’s Who:

Nico appeared in the film La Dolce Vita, which we can presume Dylan saw cause he refers to it in “Motorpsycho Nitemare.” In 1965, Dylan gives her an acetate of “I’ll Keep It With Mine” for her to sing. She later moves from UK to New York, bringing the acetate with her. She ends up at the Factory around the time Warhol is recruiting the VU for the Exploding Plastic Inevitable multi-art project. According to reports in Uptight, the VU plays “I’ll Keep It With Mine” in concert with Nico singing.

It would take two more years for a recorded Nico version of the song to emerge. But when it did, on the John Cale-produced Chelsea Girl, it was an instant (though secret) classic. (Chelsea Girl also contained another shoulda-been hit, “These Days,” penned by the then-super young Jackson Browne). Where the Dylan version was a loping, half-shot affair (that wouldn’t appear until the mid-80s Biograph box set), the Nico version is gorgeous, string-laden and in true Nico form, cold as ice. Behold:
Nico: “I’ll Keep It With Mine” [mp3]
Sigh. The Faberge Egg of Dylan Covers, isn’t it?
Bonus Round: OK, so while digging in the Philebrity HQ hard drive, we also came across Nico’s first single, it just felt kinda wrong not to share it with you:
Nico: “I’m Not Sayin’” [mp3]
Fully resplendent in thoroughly Dylanesque form, it was also produced, strangely, by Jimmy Page. That’s a lotta “wow”s, kids. You’re very welcome.

—

Tender Moments: “Talkin’ World War III Blues”

From the ancient and too-infrequently-seen Canadian “folk-dudes-hanging-around-in-a-log-cabin” show, “Quest.”

—

9 Out Of 10 Philebrity Staffers Agree: BOB DYLAN SAVED MY LIFE!

“On March 31st, 2004, I had the pleasure of working The Bob Dylan Show at the Trocadero Theatre. The 14-hour day was a small effort when you realize you are not only working with a voice that made a difference in this world but a man I would list as an idol; it almost didn‚Äôt seem real. [...]Twelve Hundred fans saw the same show, but may not have heard what I heard. I had heard the ability to be someone, with a voice, that can reach the masses. Freedom in a voice, freedom of the spirit, freedom of THE SONG.”

— Jersey Dan Bisogno, longtime Philebrity Co-Conspirator and Resident Dude.

The man wasn’t getting any younger, and the older he does get, the higher his ticket prices. I had to seize that bull by the proverbial horns and ride it all the way to Duluth. And I’m glad. A man that age in tight jeans and cowboy boots is hard to come by—seeing as Dwight Yoakam has a couple more decades to go.

— Alexis K. Lerro, Philebrity intern and blogger, on being dragged to see Dylan in college.

—

Under The Covers: Reggae Dylan – Is It Medically Possible?

With all of the respect in the world to both Bob as well as to the long and beautiful history of reggae music, philebrity.com/dylanology’s answer is a short, curt, resounding “No.” We don’t know why ‚Äî especially given Bob’s great contributions to soul and R&B (see Solomon Burke below) ‚Äî but almost every time anything Dylan gets into close proximity with anything else that is even vaguely rocksteady or reggae or even slightly irie in any way, it’s gonna be a mess. Let’s talk about Empire Burlesque, which was aided and abetted by reggae legends Sly & Robbie. A good tune here and there, but it’s far from the best by anyone concerned. Reggae covers of Bob tunes? Many have tried, but most are downright funny:
Lester Sterling: “Reggae In The Wind (Blowin’ In The Wind)” [mp3]
The Clash: “The Man In Me” [mp3]
Oh, but it’s fun to try. Think of it this way: If Bob is a fine, aged Cabernet, then perhaps reggae is like a delicious, refreshing Zima. Both intoxicating, but not at the same time.

——

Tender Moments: Bob Would Like A Word With Your Bird

——

Under The Covers: Solomon Burke, “Maggie’s Farm”

It doesn’t take a weatherman to tell you that Solomon Burke is truly one of the baaaaaaaaaadest dudes to ever walk the planet. We probably don’t even need to tell you; all good Philly folk know that he’s one of our own. Burke has had an epic career ‚Äî get a peek at this Philadelphia Weekly story from 2002 ‚Äî where he’s written just about as many great songs as he’s covered. Even the covers, of course, become his own. This cover of “Maggie’s Farm,” released in 1965, is no exception. And now, Ms. Maggie, King Solomon Burke would like a word with you:
Solomon Burke: “Maggie’s Farm” [mp3]
Now if that ain’t a man, we don’t know what is.
For more: The King Solomon Burke

——–

And Now, David Dye’s Top Dylan Everything Of Ever!

David Dye a major Dylan nut? No way! Sike. We asked WXPN’s resident Dylanologist to take a moment to share some of his favorite things Dylan and he kindly obliged. Dig it:

Favorite Dylan Album: The sometimes overlooked Another Side Of Bob Dylan… every song was covered by somebody except maybe “Motorpsycho Nightmare.” Pure bob songwriting.
Song: “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.” “When the gravity fails and negativity won’t pull you thru…” Great song to be drunk OR stoned to.
Cover: Jimi Hendrix from Monterey Pop and “Like A Rolling Stone.” “Yeah I know I missed a verse..”
Dylan Concerts: Well, I saw the Rolling Thunder Revue in Maine and it was just about the cultural event of the decade up there, but mostly because of all the guests. Also Bob and Patti Smith at the Electric Factory — what an amazing band he had at the period, Bob as guitar hero.
Dylan Story: I had a friend who was older than me, a real first generation hippie, who used to talk about this girl he knew who was fucking Dylan when he came to town in ‘64/’65. She said all he talked about was how much money he was making.
For some reason, the gods have smiled on me, and my son (age 13) is into Dylan. We are going to the Spectrum concert together – he’s also into the White Stripes but doesn’t dig the Raconteurs, it will be his first real rock concert.

Thanks David! You can catch David each weekday at 2pm on the World Cafe Live, but you totally already knew that.

———

Tender Moments: Bob And Johnny Edition

Bob performing with Johnny Cash on his variety program, May 1st, 1969.

———

Under The Covers: Jennifer O’Connor, “To Ramona”

Continuing on with our theme of “Girls Do Dylan,” today we’re pretty psyched to have what we think is a blogosphere exclusive from newish Matador signing Jennifer O’Connor. Jennifer’s one of the six gagillion artists playing this totally amazing Bob Dylan Tribute Thing at Lincoln Center on November 9th. Also on the bill: Patti Smith, Cat Power, The Roots, Ryan Adams, Phil Lesh, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Rosanne Cash and on and on. (Confidential to Rich Uncles We Don’t Have: Birthday’s comin’ up, dawg, and ah, well, gosh, we can’t really think of all that much we want, except MAYBE…) Anyhow, this O’Connor chick is playing with longtime Bob accomplice (Bobcomplice?) Ramblin’ Jack Elliot at the affair, and in celebration of the celebration, she’s releasing a download-only EP through eMusic called Another Side Of Jennifer O’Connor next Tuesday, Nov. 7th. Sure, many have gone the Another Side Of… homage route, but O’Connor has upped the ante and totally blazed what is easily one of the Top 25 Dylan Tunes Of Ever. Dig it:
Jennifer O’Connor: “To Ramona” [mp3]
Gosh. What an amazing tune. C’mere and give us a hug already.

——-

Testing 1, 2, 3: Is It Rolling, Bob?

Bob’s screen test with Andy Warhol. For more about Andy’s many screen tests, check Warholstars.

—–

Under The Covers: Marie Lafor?™t, “Blowin’ In The Wind”

Like scads of other ridiculously gorgeous girls in France in the 1960s, Marie Lafor?™t was an easy-come, easy-go chantuese with a major thing for Bob Dylan. Discovered at a talent show in 1959 and then cast in an early Louis Malle film, Lafor?™t quickly thereafter enjoyed a career in France’s “ye-ye” scene as a kind of substitute Fran?ßoise Hardy, who pretty much wrote the ye-ye book (who, while we’re at it, was the subject of a long-distance album liner booty call on the the back of Another Side Of Bob Dylan.) Like a lot of the ye-ye girls, Lafor?™t’s major talent was singing Bob Dylan songs in that kind of awesomely sexy French girl voice. And this is no exception:
Marie Lafor?™t: “Blowin’ In The Wind” [mp3]
Groundbreaking? Chill-inducing? Not really, not at all. But it just goes to show: Not even French girls are exempt from wanting to be Bob Dylan once in a while.

———–

From The BobWire: Apparently “Salty Dawg” Not A Real Breed

Bob Dylan would be a curly coated retriever if he were a dog. He would have an “oily coat that traps air and insulates in water” and a good sense of smell.

[...]This according to the breed description provided by the UK Kennel Club, in association with the Gone to the Dogs Canine Algorithmic Transfer System that allows players to determine what kind of dog they would be. According to the site (click on games) the answers are generated by SUKA, a computer “built in 1975 by Russian scientist Mikhail Volkonsky and now housed in a London museum.”

You may not need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, but damned if everyone couldn’t use the number of a good vet.
RollingStone: If Dogs Run Free, Then Why Can’t We?

————-

Note: philebrity.com/dylanology is refreshed daily. Check back often for updates!

—–