I got this DVD and the "scrapbook" as a Christmas present and, having missed the PBS airing a few months ago, just watched it the other night. As one who was busy being born in the timeframe of the documentary, and thus an ankle-biter in folk music, I was awed and amazed by Dylan's story. The one thing that jumped out at me, though, was sheer number of classic, brilliant songs he wrote, and styles he went through, in .... 5-6 years???!!!! He must have been a man posessed, or had a hyperactive muse, or something....

I also have to wonder how all of this poetry with allusions ("stealing"?) and musical references could have come from a man who a few years before was an isolated teen-ager in a tiny Minnesota town. It's almost like the Shakespeare thing - how could he have known so much, regardless of who he was hanging out with? How could he have anticipated musical directions years, even decades, in advance?

It was curious that beyond the first few minutes there is no mention of his family. While I don't subscribe to the "child abuse" conjecture of an earlier poster, I do think the child is father to the man. Was Dylan ever a child?? Apparently not, according to this film of his "early years". What happened to his parents - did he even contact them again after taking off for NY?? I assume that he was an only child, as there is never any mention of siblings, but does anyone know??

Just wondering ... this moving film got me thinking and got me inspired!!   

Shalom,   Bo