Quote:
Originally Posted by DrBenway /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Sometimes it takes years for the public to catch up with an artist's best work. I think that Dylan will always be considered great, but in time there will inevitably be a re-evaluation of his work.
I was too young (I'm 48) to have really understood what all the shouting was about during what is regarded as Dylan's "great" period, from the early 60s until roughly the turn of the decade.
The first Dylan album that really caught my attention was Blood on the Tracks, which was released in '75 when I was 14 or 15, and drunk out of my mind on music. It was the first great Dylan album that was part of the soundtrack of my soon-to-be adult life. It's acknowledged as one of his classics now, but at the time, critical reaction was decidedly mixed.
Dylan is ever-mercurial, and it's not surprising that people who love a particular view of him, or a particular period of his work, get petulant when he switches gears. I read some scathingly negative reviews in fact, along with some raves. You never know how opinions of his work will shift over time.
If you like Emmylou's version of "Ev'ry Grain of Sand," I strongly urge you to check out Wrecking Ball. I consider it to be her masterpiece, as do a lot of other people. I heard a radio interview with her some years after it was released, and she still seemed a bit shocked that she was allowed to record and release that record. A country artist covering Hendrix? Accompanied by Adam Clayton from U2 on drums? Somebody at the record company must have risked his or her career to to get this album made. It's as much a rock record as a country album, and brings together all of the strands of what has come to be called Americana. Sheer brilliance, in my opinion.
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Right, where to begin responding?
Great, post DrBenway!
I think you're dead right with regards to Dylan and his work. His natural desire to expand and grow and diversify musically (and spiritually and as a person etc etc, that intertwines with the artistic and expressional process), which I can definately empathasie with and relate to, is gona cause adverse reactions from some factions of his fanbase that felt a particularly strong report and resonance with a certain style or approach he was implementing or genre he was exploring when he moves on from that. Thats gona happen. Some people can't see past their own pre-conceptions and selfish wants to just take what comes from an artist, be open to what they want to do and create and accepting of it. Music is an artists or bands self expression. Fans should accept that IMO and take what comes. The other ironic edge to that close mindedness is that if an artist/bamd kept to the same style etc and kept re-eaxmpling that and rehashing the same thing, in essnece, that it would soon become tiresome, or certainly less exciting, dynamic and impacting, because its been seen numerous times before from them and has lost freshness. I think an artist has to allow themselves to go with their flow of interest and to grow and evolve really. Theres much more I could say on this, points for and against, but, ultimately, personally, I'm very accepting of what an artist/band does and brings out as its their expression and what they wanted to do. That doesn't mean I'm gona lie to myself or anyone else if I don't particulary like it or get it but it does mean I let it be and don't get pissed off or anything. What's the point?
Anyway, digression aside
, back to responding.
You're obviously correct in saying also, that how people view Dylan's work over time is gona change and evolve also, as with any artist. With time, people can put things into context better, maybe. Maybe, if the artists expired, they have the full and finished works to analyse, study and disect now. Theres no new material around the corner to be thinking off or coming out to defray attention from previously released material. The social times have changed. The lyrical and/or musical content of the music will take upon a different complexion, consequently. Emotions can subside eg disappointment at an album at time of first release and thus you look at the material fairer and more open-mindedly. Etc etc. Yeah, you make an excellent point there!
On emmylou, between yourself and coop47's comments and insight in another thread, you've got me very intrigued by her and her work! I'm definately gona explore her material!
