Review: Dylan's 'Hollis Brown' as Murder Ballad

Subject: Review: Dylan's 'Hollis Brown' as Murder Ballad
From: GUEST,Pat Blackman
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 10:26 AM

This week on Murder Ballad Monday, Shaleane takes on Bob Dylan's "Ballad of Hollis Brown" in three great posts.

"The Ballad of Hollis Brown" - Shaleane begins a discussion of Bob Dylan's "The Ballad of Hollis Brown," and we hear the murder ballad take on social dimensions, implicating the listener...implicating all of us...in new ways.

Striking performances in this installment from Dylan himself, Nina Simone, and Rise Against.

Nobody Sings Dylan Like Dylan - Shaleane takes us on a tour of "The Ballad of Hollis Brown," from cover to cover to cover--showing Dylan's powers as songwriter and musical "integrator," as his work remains fresh with each artist's re-telling.

Performances by the Neville Brothers, Iggy and the Stooges, Nazareth, Entombed, and Leon Russell, among others.

The Limits of Empathy - In a fascinating third post on "The Ballad of Hollis Brown," Shaleane explores how Dylan's song founders on the banks of one social movement, but in doing so inspires another, more enduring one.

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Subject: RE: Review: Dylan's 'Hollis Brown' as Murder Ballad
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 11:04 AM

Why am I reminded of some comedian who was discussing Southern popular culture and described a evening where folks went to see "Smoky and the Bandit", and then broke up into discussion groups?

Subject: RE: Review: Dylan's 'Hollis Brown' as Murder Ballad
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 11:18 AM

Not sure, Dick.

Subject: RE: Review: Dylan's 'Hollis Brown' as Murder Ballad
From: GUEST,Pat Blackman
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 04:39 PM

One more, if you're interested.

I Started Making Plans to Kill My Own - Gordan Gano's "Country Death Song" provides a companion piece to conclude this week's exploration of Bob Dylan's "The Ballad of Hollis Brown." This time, our gaze is not averted.