I think I could get an actual thread out of this, because it isn't always going to be his eightieth birthday.
So the story so far is that in May I decided I was going to listen to every album, and about six months later came an actual desire to listen to and enjoy his music. And by I don't mean a "go on then" feeling to continue where I left off, I mean an actual urge to listen to "Desolation Row" and replay it a good few times in a row.
I think I did this on the other thread, but if I had to rank favourite songs so far, my top three are "It's All Over Now Baby Blue", "Desolation Row" and "Stuck Inside a Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again". Also creeping into the fold is "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" as of this week, but those other three perfectly highlight for me his lyrical, instrumental and harmonising beauty.
I honestly have no idea what direction I should be heading in, whether I should prioritise listening to the studio albums and then get stuck into the live material, The Band and whatever else there is instead of doing it chronologically; all I know is that Blood on the Tracks is coming up in a few albums time, and that I have every edition of the Bootleg Series downloaded on Apple Music and ready to go, whenever I need to press play!
That all said, I did run into a slight concern today. I've been listening to Self Portrait and despite reading it to be an unpopular effort - especially after what it followed - I've really been enjoying it! 😬
Got stuck into Blood on the Tracks, really enjoying "Idiot Wind".
Well done @Mario Brega
You gotta serve somebody...
What I'm noticing and really appreciating is that Dylan's newer approach to singing on albums like Nashville Skyline and New Morning helped him find a terrific vocal balance when he 'went back' to basics as he seems to have done on Planet Waves.
And it goes without saying, but him with The Band is a perfect example of 1+1=3. It just sounds so right. They were all made for each other.
I've gotta say that I think what halted me on this 'journey' was that aside from Blood on the Tracks I'm very very unfamiliar with Dylan's catalogue post-Blonde on Blonde. I know Steve says above that I'm still to hear some of his favourites, but I guess I didn't have the enthusiasm for more discovery back in December. Now with this one the door is wide open for every album to (hopefully) surprise me.
I thought I'd write an update as to where I am with Bob's music.
So I got up to the Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid soundtrack back in December and just kinda stopped going through the albums. I suppose I've been focusing on listening to and writing about Bruce's live albums too much.
I haven't completely disregarded Bob's music, oh no, in fact I've actually picked up a few albums on vinyl, which more or less confirms just how all in on him I am in 2022.
Anyway, I decided to try and get back on track tonight by listening to Dylan, which was fine with a nice, timely cover of "Can't Help Falling on Love" (PROMOTION FOR SUN'LAND!!!) and a superb rendition of "Big Yellow Taxi". I was gonna leave it at that, but decided to hoy on Planet Waves - "Dirge" has just started - and oh my God I'm loving this one! A few immediate favourites here.
More to come on this one over the next couple of days (I hope) because I think I'm gonna give this a replay.
@Mario Brega like @Scott Peterson says, I don't want to colour your expectations for the albums ahead. I can tell you I have three favourite Dylan albums, the three I return to, time and time again, like faithful friends who give me a long hug when I need it or are happy to just sit quietly in the dark with me and listen, no words necessary.
And you haven't gotten to any of them, yet....
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere (Greatest Hits 2 Version)
Tombstone Blues
One of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)
Tangled Up In Blue
The Groom's Still Waiting At the Altar
Ask me on another day and you'll get another list. But these are all great. BtW, don't skip over the 2nd Greatest Hits album. It contains a half dozen really good performances not available elsewhere.
Someone call emergency services for this poor man! STAT!
Welcome to the Monkey House, my friend. Long days and pleasant nights.