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Post by Tetchy on Aug 16, 2008 14:31:06 GMT
A frind of mine at work and I have heated discussions about the validity of Bob Dylan as not only a "Singer" but cultural icon. Personally I can't stand the man, I think he can't sing for toffee, his songs are dated, irrelevant and well past their prime and are not relevant to this generation. He sold out his musical folk roots to "Go Electric" to appeal to a mass market and he is an awful actor. My mate on the other hand thinks his music is still influentual today and Dylan can stand up against any other musician or musical band stating that if it wasn't for Dylan's inspiration many musos would never have started out in the first place. We eventually had a poster made up where our colleagues could vote on Dylan the Icon or Dylan the Eejit. It was a close one with Icon winning it by one vote but many of those who voted couldn't name a single Dylan song and was only aware of who he was by virtue of old time radio. If he is an Icon then why is it very few people can name more than two of his songs? I was just wondering where others stood on the Dylan debate - Icon or Eejit? T  |
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Post by Amaris on Aug 16, 2008 14:49:07 GMT
I think when he first started out he was a great songwriter, never really a singer but that didn't matter much as he wrote his songs to suit his voice. But the hype that has surrounded him ever since has been totally over the top. In the 80s I remember a friend of mine who was a great fan went to see him live and came back totally disillusioned by his performance.
I personally think he should have "retired" a long time ago but I guess he's going to milk his fame for as long as the media will tout him as some iconic figure 
Wouldn't say he was an icon or an eejit just very over rated and boring now ;D
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Post by Tetchy on Aug 16, 2008 14:51:59 GMT
Excellent point Amaris, I've heard of people being disappointed at his gigs as he is a Boring performer. A point I shall re-iterate to Kev when I next see him. Cheers T  |
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Post by conbott on Aug 16, 2008 15:04:33 GMT
I always thought that most true icons, like Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe were icons because of their untimely deaths. I've often wondered how different it may have been if they were still alive today. I'll be honest till not that long ago I didn't know whether Bob Dylan was alive or dead (I'm an expert on things like that, not). I've got a tune playing in my head but I must admit I can't name any of his songs either. |
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Post by Tetchy on Aug 16, 2008 15:36:55 GMT
Thank you conbott for helping to prove my point that not a lot of non Dylan fans can name a Dylan song but most people fans or not can name an Elvis tune. Cheers T  |
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Post by O.M.S. on Aug 16, 2008 16:35:00 GMT
If anyone needs proof of how rubbish his music can be just listen to the opening song of Blonde on Blonde. Atrocious!
I've never really been a fan of Bob. I find his singing whiny and his songs boring. The lyrics on some are pretty insightful but overall there's nothing there at all for me.
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Post by BeamStalk on Aug 16, 2008 16:56:26 GMT
^^Exactly how I feel also, O.M.S.
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Post by conbott on Aug 16, 2008 17:20:15 GMT
Thank you conbott for helping to prove my point that not a lot of non Dylan fans can name a Dylan song but most people fans or not can name an Elvis tune. Cheers T Anytime Tetchy. Do you know lately the times I've admitted to being dumb. But if it's help you I don't mind. ;D |
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Post by bobdezon on Aug 16, 2008 18:12:26 GMT
He was always a crap singer, but his songs and lyrics were very excellent, he is known more for being the author of songs that were covered by other bands (like the byrds etc). As a musician he was great, and as a song writer, he had no equal (for a while). I like dylans song, but not his singing of them, and his electric stuff was arse. As the years advanced his singing became even less audibly legible, his vocals actually got worse over time.
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Post by O.M.S. on Aug 16, 2008 18:16:05 GMT
The only decent stuff he did was with the Travelling Wilburys, but I may be biased because I'm a huge George Harrison fan.  |
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Post by fluffet on Aug 16, 2008 20:32:14 GMT
The man cannot and never could sing , i find his nasal monotone drone akin to listening to a heavily sedated steven wright , Thats said he did write some amazing lyrics but its unfortunate that to appreciate them i have to hear others versions of them .
He may be an icon to many but he never did it for me , id take Costellos lyrics over his anyday and practically anyones voice .
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Post by Tetchy on Aug 16, 2008 21:53:42 GMT
Thank you everyone for your points, gratefully received.
T
;D
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Post by shmumph on Aug 17, 2008 2:13:08 GMT
For years I thought I was in the minority for not liking Bob Dylan, My boyfriend has got everything he has ever done, but none of it is listened to, he owns it more as a fashion item than a cd collection I think, Its one of those things if your just shy of 30 its trendy to own a Dylan CD whether you like him or not.
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Post by Amaris on Aug 17, 2008 2:21:42 GMT
Further to my last post I have to say I do like the early Dylan songs and my daughter even has some on her IPod found and liked by herself with no input from me.
All Along The Watchtower is my favourite Jimi Hendrix recording and was written by good ole Bob ;D His early work is excellent but once he'd peaked in the 60s there was nowhere else to go but downhill, which he did ...rapidly edited to add a thanks to Tetchy for inspiring me to watch Life Of Brian again this evening ;D
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Post by Tetchy on Aug 17, 2008 15:01:38 GMT
You're more than welcome Amaris and thank you.
T
;D
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