I'm still waiting (even eager) to be convinced. I love Dylan, and would like to hear why he's a better guitar player than I've given him credit for being. Maybe when Rick shows me how Dylan picks those tunes (with his teeth?), I'll be more impressed. Right now I think I can tell how he picks them: he plays "It's Alright, Ma" in drop-D with a pick; he plays "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" in standard tuning, with his fingers and alternating thumb; etc. Basically, he plays them the same way anyone else would: adequately, functionally, without too much flash to get in the way of the song.

There's nothing wrong with that; in fact, I think it's the way they should be played. I don't knock the guy because he doesn't play like Martin Simpson (or Chet Atkins, or Joe Pass, or ______), any more than I would knock the guy who paints my house because he's no Rembrandt. But when someone says "that guy could pick!", I expect something more. What am I missing?