what do you see as bob dylan's ultimate greatness

[oldblue]

for me it's the magic he performed in 1964-66 when he was somehow able to become a living metaphor.

[redrabid]

I'm no Dylan fan, I never bought any of his records. Untill recently, when I decided that 2 albums had to be in my record collection, even though I'll probably play them only every now and then. But "Highway 61 Revisited" and above all "Blonde On Blonde" are Impressive records.

[oldblue]

I'm no Dylan fan, I never bought any of his records. Untill recently, when I decided that 2 albums had to be in my record collection, even though I'll probably play them only every now and then. But "Highway 61 Revisited" and above all "Blonde On Blonde" are Impressive records.

why are they impressive?

[usedtobebabson]

Dylan was for one thing, Original, an essential ingredient for music success.
He took the folksy guitar and harmonica into new territory.

While his lyrics were self-professed meaningless words, the words were somehow very in touch with the times and the impending counter-culture.

His songs definitely caught the attention of American and European youth.

Highway 61 revisited is also my favorite, mainly because I consider it the peak of his career.

[PrayForPlagues]

Yeah, he has never piqued my interest much before. However, I do realize his influence and importance in music. I like Blonde on Blonde a lot, but not much else.

[PsychedelicRabbit]

I like "Like A Rolling Stone" and "The Times They Are A-Changing"...

[oldblue]

I like "Like A Rolling Stone" and "The Times They Are A-Changing"...

can you read? that doesn't' answer the question. until then may the baby jesus shut your mouth and open your mind

[PsychedelicRabbit]

Yes, I can read. I'm just stating that those songs are what I think are his best. They're the ones I like. Take it or leave it.

Until then, may someone knock sense or kindness into your head.

[oldblue]

Yes, I can read. I'm just stating that those songs are what I think are his best. They're the ones I like. Take it or leave it.

Until then, may someone knock sense or kindness into your head.

again i didn't ask what songs you like. if you are going to offer an opinion you should be able to back it up. i fear you are a member of the younger generation that has been taught not how to think but how to accept mediocrity.

[SuperSlick66]

i fear you are a member of the younger generation that has been taught not how to think but how to accept mediocrity.

Why are you worried about my generation?

[Susan Butcher]

Anyone who can write something that is apparently meaningless and yet funny at the same time is great.

[PrayForPlagues]

i fear you are a member of the younger generation that has been taught not how to think but how to accept mediocrity.

Wow, way to patronize...

[oldblue]

i fear you are a member of the younger generation that has been taught not how to think but how to accept mediocrity.

Wow, way to patronize...

if the shoe fits, wear it

[redrabid]

Those two records I called impressive because they were ahead of their time. Those albums were made not as a collection of unrelated songs but as a single statement. "Sgt. Pepper's" is often seen as the album that finished the golden age of 45s, but to me those two albums set the standard and as such are to blame. The best groups of that time took years to come close:
The Mothers in '65, The Beatles and The Beach Boys in "66, most groups only in '67 or even later.
Very good songs,songs that Dylan only occasionally would equal in later years.
But as I said, I'm not a great admirer. Two reasons: I don't care much for lyrics and they are important in Dylan's songs and two, I can't stand his voice and vocals. And great voices and vocals (not necessarily the same thing) are very important to me.

[Ensign]

I read an interesting interview with Frank Zappa. The interviewer asked him if it was bothersome that he was under-rated as a guitar player. Zappa then asked the interviewer, "Who is qualified to rate me?"

Who here is qualified to rate Bob Dylan's relative levels of greatness?