a growl, a snort, and a roar: Man Gave Names to All the Animals

December 17, 2010December 18, 2017 ~ jama ~ 2 Comments

Look what just came out this Fall!

I was so excited when I first heard that artist/naturalist Jim Arnosky was going to create a picture book based on one of Dylan’s songs. I liked and reviewed Peter Yarrow’s Day is Done (illustrated by Melissa Sweet, also published by Sterling) last year, so I was confident this new book would be equally as beautiful.

Dylan’s song, “Man Gave Names to All the Animals,” a personal interpretation of Bible scripture (Genesis 2:19-20), was included on the first of his spiritual albums, Slow Train Coming (1979), produced soon after he became a born-again Christian.

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friday feast: the demos that made bob dylan famous

November 12, 2010January 9, 2018 ~ jama

“In the jigsaw that is Bob Dylan, ‘The Witmark Demos’ are crucial pieces, and it’s easy to get lost in the depths, the sheer audacity and beauty, of this music.” **** ~ UNCUT

(2-CD set released October 2010)

Just when you think you can’t love Dylan’s music any more than you already do, along comes “The Witmark Demos.”

Many of you already know about my passion obsession unabashed worship of this man, whom I consider to be the greatest American songwriter of our time. I admit I’m not one to flat out love everything he does, nor am I familiar with every single one of his 500+ compositions. But I thought I pretty much had the early part of his career covered, being familiar with the definitive recordings of his trademark anthems and some of the Bootleg albums containing alternate arrangements, out-takes, etc.

Well. “The Witmark Demos” are something else again.

Think in terms of historic milestone. The birth of the singer-songwriter movement. A monumental shift in the music publishing industry. A young artist/musician on the cusp of fame, already displaying flashes of genius. To all the naysayers who still can’t see what the big deal is about Bob Dylan, I say, “Just open your hearts and listen.”

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still swooning

July 29, 2010July 23, 2011 ~ jama

So, did you watch Sir Paul receive the Gershwin Prize on PBS last night?

Len and I liked the program so much, we watched it twice in a row. When Paul was first introduced, I thought to myself that if I had been in the room, that close to him, I would have died, simply died right there on the spot.

It was great hearing other artists’ interpretations of McCartney’s songs. Though I enjoyed Emmylou Harris’s version of “For No One,” was transported to a place of peace and calm with Lang Lang’s “Celebration” on the piano, and am now crushing bigtime on Dave Grohl, it was Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Blackbird” that totally blew me away. OMG. Knowing the history behind the song, it being sung by an African American woman in President Obama’s White House — just wow. So pure, poignant, laden with decades of hurt and struggle. And Elvis Costello did a great job with “Penny Lane.” Loved it.

In case you missed the broadcast, you will soon be able to view it in its entirety at the PBS website. Meanwhile, here’s a fabulous interview with McCartney; it’s about 30 minutes long, but well worth your time — includes behind the scenes footage of him at the Library of Congress, and lots of discussion about his musical influences and creative process. ☺

friday feast: a love that should have lasted years, and one that absolutely has

June 18, 2010December 24, 2017 ~ jama ~ 1 Comment

Paul with Jane Asher (photo: janeasher1).

Sir James Paul McCartney is 68 years old today!

And yes, I kind of like him. ☺

Earlier this month, he received the Gershwin Prize at the White House, and this summer, he’ll be traveling all over North America with his Up and Coming Tour. Our beloved lad from Liverpool, one of the wealthiest men in Britain, is clearly the most successful songwriter in the history of popular music.

When I reflect on the various phases of his career — the Beatles, Wings, as a solo artist — and marvel at his ability to remain fresh and relevant to multiple generations, I always think about his love songs.

If you strip away the grand theatrical work and soundtracks, the classical forays, the electronic innovations, psychedelic experiments, the forever energizing, good old rock ‘n roll — you basically have a man with a tender, melodic voice who composed some of the most stunningly lyrical songs ever: “And I Love Her,” “I Will,” “Blackbird,” “Here, There, and Everywhere,” “Yesterday,” “For No One,” and the song for which he’d most like to be remembered, “Maybe I’m Amazed.”

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happy birthday, bob!

May 24, 2010July 23, 2011 ~ jama

photo source.

The one-and-only self-proclaimed Archbishop of Anarchy is 69 years old today!

And there simply is no stopping him. After a two-month break, Dylan will launch yet another overseas tour, opening on May 29th in Athens, Greece.

“Backyard” and “Dad’s Restaurant” from the 2010 Drawn Blank Series.

On May 22nd, his 2010 Drawn Blank Series was officially unveiled in the Castle Galleries, U.K. This is the third collection of limited edition graphics available for purchase following unprecedented worldwide acclaim and demand. The series is limited to 295 pieces signed by the artist (more info here), and are impressions of people, places, and things he encountered while on the road. How much do I love that he sketched the exterior of a restaurant?!

Meanwhile, stumbled upon a couple of fascinating old photos.

Here’s Dylan with one of his sons and George Harrison. You idolize someone and judge him by his public persona, oftentimes forgetting he’s a family man doing “ordinary” things.

from dag’s photostream.

And okay, let’s just stand around and shoot the breeze with Neil Young and Eric Clapton. *swoon*

from dag’s photostream.

I’ve noted that Sony Entertainment and others have removed hundreds of Dylan videos from YouTube.com — amateur videos of concerts, fan-made compilations, bootleg copies of official videos, etc. They’re cracking the whip on copyright infringement and now there are only a handful of videos available for public viewing and sharing (prefaced by annoying Vevo ads). I like this one from 2000, “Things Have Changed”. Dylan shows off his dramatic flair (love the way he holds a sandwich, and the bits in the coffee shop), and there are some fun cameos by Katie Holmes, Michael Douglas, and Robert Downey, Jr., among others. Enjoy!

Now, go forth and crank up your fave Dylan song. Just for today, your response to all questions: “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.” Alternately, if you’re feeling especially frisky, approach a stranger with, “How does it feel?”

Connect, engage, cherish the humanity!