In A Shallow Culture Where “Artist” Is Thrown Around Far Too Lightly…
…it’s great to see a real one in action, and getting the kudos he so richly deserves:
Bob Dylan has topped the US album charts for the first time in 30 years with his latest release, Modern Times.
Dylan, 65, is now the oldest living person to go straight into the chart at number one.
Already hailed by the critics, the album sold 192,000 copies in its first week, according to music tracking service Nielsen Soundscan.
Modern Times is Dylan’s first US number one album since Desire in 1976, which topped the chart for five weeks.
It has also gone to number one in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland, according to Columbia.
I know Dylan’s voice isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but like Jerry Garcia, as he ages, a certain majesty and timelessness has crept in (and he always was a good singer, really, when he put his mind to it)…and the songs! Such a songwriter we may never see again (only Cole Porter (yes, Cole Porter!) and Lennon-McCartney have come anywhere near his record of timeless masterpieces).
Long may he live (and long may he stay productive!)…
Which brings up a question I’ve always wondered about: what in heck was Dylan doing with that voice on “Lay, Lady, Lay?” If he could sing like that, what was the deal with the nasally whine he usually employed? Just more channeling of Woody Guthrie, perhaps?
Listen to Maria Muldaur’s cover of the song in her latest album, which is all Dylan songs. I think you will like it.
Dmac, he sang in that voice on that whole Nashville Skyline album, that’s what is even weirder…