I rate Dylan as one of the greatest ever writers in terms of range, sophistication and sheer emotional force. I can understand people who dislike his singing (although I think it's inspired). I suspect what they really dislike is his voice, which never has been or aspired to being "pleasing" in any traditional way. That's the point though, he does not intend to sound like either Pavarotti or Belafonte. He is an excellent acoustic guitarist. Most guitarists who tried to play "It's Alright Ma" with the ferocity of Dylan would be playing a three stringed guitar by the fourth bar. That's bloody good right hand technique by any standard. The simple effectiveness of his picking - "Tomorrow is a Long Time" and "One Too Many Mornings" spring to mind - is unparalleled. Tell me who else would have pulled off the amazingly audacious simple open tuning arrangement of "Buckets of Rain"? He is simply one of the most messmeric solo performers I have ever witnessed.