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With John Gardiner

Bob Dylan: A true great of his generation

Tuesday, January 28, 2003

I was driving along in my car last week and something came on the radio that I found annoying – it happens fairly often – so I switched the station to WDET, Detroit public radio. I heard a familiar voice singing an unfamiliar tune, but it caught my attention. I haven't paid much attention to Bob Dylan in recent years, perhaps feeling that he'd done his best stuff back about four decades ago.
But this tune was a beautiful piece of writing and it felt like it was some modern Dylan. I was most disappointed that the DJ didn't offer up the title of the song or the album it's on – it was about getting older and wondering where the energy has gone. So, I still don't really know the song or I would probably have sought it out.
Dylan has truly been one of the greats in rock history. In my mind, he ranks up there with folks like the Beatles who have had a profound influence on the history of rock. He really brought folk music into the main stream all those years ago. There were a bunch of real big folkies back in the early sixties, but it was Dylan who broke through and caught the public consciousness.
A while back, I did a Classic Vinyl on Phil Oches. Oches and Dylan were contemporaries and friends, but the two had a falling out because Oches thought Dylan had sold out ad become too commercial. Perhaps Dylan did sell out – after all, he must be a fabulously wealthy man from his writing and recording – but perhaps material success and money aren't the only indicators of a sell-out.
Even when Dylan has been at his commercial best, his tunes have carried a strong social message. Surely, one of his biggest hits has been "Hurricane" from back in the mid-1970's. Still, the song helped free unjustly convicted boxer Reuben Carter from jail – and even the tune I heard recently on the radio, although undoubtedly some later Dylan, held a strong message.
Even when Dylan appears to be having fun, like in the Travelling Wilbury's, his tunes come across as somehow important and tell a great story. The guy writes meaningful songs – plain and simple.
I wasn't a big Bob Dylan fan back in my younger years – he was too much of a folkie for me. The girls in my high school class were into Dylan and Simon and Garfunkle and Joni Mitchell and all those namby pamby folk singers. I just couldn't get into that stuff. I bought the album with "The Hurricane" on it and I picked up some Dylan with the Band, but only because I liked the Band.
Then, years later, I inherited a huge record collection from a good friend and contained in the collection was a full run of Dylan albums. So, one night I got to listening. I mean, I'm still not sure the guy can sing – but, really, who cares? What a marvelous talent and what a symbol he has been of our time on earth.
I remember throwing on the first electric version of "Like a Rolling Stone", with Al Kooper on keys and Mike Bloomfield on guitar, and it brought tears to my eyes. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of rock music ever written and Dylan sings the whole thing. In fact, Dylan's unique vocal offerings often somehow suit his tunes so that he does them better than anyone else.
And I must say that there was one Dylan song that has long been my favourite. Jimi Hendrix's version of "All Along the Watch Tower" is simply one of the great songs in rock history. It is likely not only my favourite Dylan, but Hendrix as well. Great lyrics and beautiful guitar.
I have developed a wonderful appreciation of Bob Dylan as I've grown older. I like the guy and I like his music. He's been one of the true greats of his generation. And the vinyl is great. Thanks to Ken.



John Gardiner is a 25-year-veteran of the community newspaper business, but he is also a prolific writer of moralistic short fiction he refers to as "emotional thoughtscapes" or "adult fables". Samples of his fiction can be found at:

He has also produced a noteworthy piece of humanist philosophy which can be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aboiten/ad502.htm He welcomes comments on his work.