Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: oggie
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 11:45 AM

I got this and Tom Petty's 'Highway Companion' at the same time. I've listened to the Dylan once, Tom Petty's my music of choice in the car at the moment. For me that says it all.

All the best

oggie

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: bobad
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 10:56 AM

When I hear him singing "Beyond The Horizon" I can't help but picture him performing in front of a group of seniors, waltzing on a cruise ship.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 04:12 PM

Its an interesting album - coming, as it does, in the wake of the Chronicles book that told us how he works - how he searches for inspiration, and musicians that inspire him.

The rolling and tumbling thing is really interesting. Was it skip James who came up with that hook riff originally - i forget? What Dylan's done there, reminds me a bit of what Lonnie Donnegan used to do to folk an folk blues material. Very nice and creative though, you could do a whole album like that - Smokestack Lightnin' anybody?

I feel sure that shooting from the hip with criticism, is probably less than this work from a master songwriter deserves.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 03:51 PM

"As usual, Dylan worshippers decided they loved the CD before they had even heard it"

Really? Where? Please show us who said that.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 03:44 PM

That's good. We certainly wouldn't want you to feel compelled to listen to music you don't like, because that can make a person crabby and critical.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 09:13 PM

As usual, Dylan worshippers decided they loved the CD before they had even heard it, still believe him to be the 'voice of a generation' etc, etc. No surprise there.

Or on the CD, which I listened to in it's entirety. I'm with Peter T on this one. A rambling bit of, ah, well...not even the band could salvage it, IMO.

I also recently heard live tapes of his last tour--the Fall 2005, from a friend who stage manages at one of the venues he played . Won't be spending my money on Dylan tickets any time soon. The voice is not improving with age, technology just makes it sound as if he still has one.

I keep wanting to have one of those Dylan epiphanies that seem so popular these days among the old timers, but...even 'Time Out of Mind' didn't do it for me. I found 'Slow Train Coming', Shot of Love, et al to be about as brilliant as the Cat Stevens conversion. Dylan as philosopher? Oh yeah, he's almost as brilliant as Ayn Rand.

80s Dylan sucked. The Bootleg Series I bought, but that's all his oldie stuff. This dude has been skatin' on his rep for a couple of decades, IMO. This album is just another in a long line of mediocre attempts to rehash the past. One more time. Thanks, I've already got a shit load of Dylan that sounds just like this. I won't be buying the CD, thanks very much.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 07:58 PM

Picked it up today. I'm enjoying it. It seems like a continuation of Love & Theft (sorry Peter). The band is great. I especially like Workingman's Blues #2, Beyond the Horizon and his treatment of Rollin' and Tumblin'.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: Scrump
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:08 AM

I haven't heard it yet, but the track I heard on radio the other day sounded pretty good if not stunning enough to make me want to rush out and buy the CD (but then I rarely do that these days, I usually buy them at live gigs).

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: the one
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:04 AM

has he still got to paint his masterpiece.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!: 'Modern Times'
From: erinmaidin
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 07:58 AM

Ah..but is this not the first thread since "we" got to listen to it?
Besides, it kinda got cluttered up with question of who will be redeemed and who will be "vomited into hell"! (giggle). I was stunned, stunned I tell you! when I found out that I only have ten tracks! The order will be placed with Amazon tonight...enjoyed the video clip on Amazon's site. I don't know about the rest of you but I find him totally mesmerizing...and why??? dunno...he does very little, just plays and sings, but jaysus (o dear...religious aspects creeping in again), he does it quite well.

Subject: RE: bob dylan's latest album modern times
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 05:05 PM

Yeah, it's a very good one, but this is the 3rd thread on that subject.

Subject: bob dylan's latest album modern times
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 05:01 PM

Bob dylan's latest album is a masterpiece. This man gets better by every single year.
MArk

---

Duplicate threads combined.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: the one
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 11:06 AM

steady now.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 09:22 AM

Too many tossers on this thread. Bought it today stuck it in the car CD player and drove to work. Bloody marvellous!

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 03:19 AM

Maybe marry these 2 threads

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=93649&messages=15

Subject: RE: New Dylan Album : 'Modern Times'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 12:21 AM

Yeah. Those of little faith and even less goodwill can go find something else to citicize now. ;-)

Subject: RE: New Dylan Album : 'Modern Times'
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 09:23 PM

Absolutley amazing. 10 brilliant tracks. I only wish there was more. I can't wait to see if he comes to Denver on his tour.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 03:20 PM

We agree. It is a damn fine CD.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 03:18 PM

Good cripse there's a lot of useless blather in this thread.... (Not surprising when Little Hawk is navel-gazing around)

Which is too bad, cause I dled 'Modern Times' the other day, and man oh man this is a damn fine CD... I even like the 'extra' tracks

Nice job, Zimmy... Now what?

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: number 6
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 08:18 PM

I hopped in my Japanese car tonite, drove over the local Big Box Electronic store and dropped $17 cdn for Bob's Modern Times ... took the long way home puposely as I listened to it on my cd car player ... all I can say it is pretty damned good, the hype was on the mark with this ... I'm one of those skeptics when it comes to Bob's post 1960 recordings (with the exception of Blood on the Tracks) but I must say it is refreshing to hear Bob on top again ... I don't know who the session musicians where on this but I swear I hear the late Kenny Buttrey on the drums.

sIx

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 05:38 PM

Bob Dylan has been a number of things. A pop star is one of them.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: pdq
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 05:28 PM

Frank Sinatra was a major force in Pop music from 1939 until his death in 1998. That 59 years.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: erinmaidin
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 05:03 PM

"pop" stars don't usually have a career that endures for 40 yrs.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 04:05 PM

Amen Ron.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 03:38 PM

His philosophy is just fine thank you. It is music, not a cry for help.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 03:31 PM

Dylan is a pop star but has a messup philosophy,
philosopher

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 01:55 PM

When, oh WHEN will we merit your approval, Guest?   (sob!)

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 01:26 PM

You lot of pseuds are talking total Bullshit. For fuck's sake it's only a pop record. Get out of your own assholes and appreciate Dylan for what he is - a pop star!

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 12:07 AM

Well, there are worse situations than that. You could be stuck on a socrates.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 11:01 PM

Personally, I'm stuck on a plato in my banjo picking and I think a few weeks working on Mike Iverson's version of Jerulalem Ridge might help me break out of this platonic rut.

--seed

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 11:01 PM

Fellas,

I have to agree with Fat Bastard. Let's get back to Bob's new CD.

I listened to rest of the tracks. I enjoyed it, but don't think that it is some of his best work. However, I will probably buy it and enjoy it. I really like what has happened to his voice. I has aged very well.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 06:21 PM

Ron, If you know how to make an old-fashioned miniature bow device for starting a fire...or you know how to use a flint...or a magnifying glass... then you don't need matches. Matches are very convenient, of course, but they are not absolutely necessary.

Philosopher, I am particularly in agreement with your view that people are blocked from knowing God by "fear of losing (their) own identity". Absolutely!!! That is probably the most important single factor.

After all, they would have to give up their customary fears, prejudices, hatreds, grudges, negative judgements upon self and others, etc....because all that is a big part of what they think of as "my identity" or "myself". They think they'd be utterly lost without it, when actually they would be found in the most profound way.

This reluctance to surrender the false (negative) self is as true of me, by the way, as it is of most other people. I recognize the problem...but I have not yet overcome it. Old habits are very hard to break. In most cases they persist until physical life ends, and quite possibly even long after that.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 04:25 PM

To Peter
sorry for many misspellings for I have no time no will to gramatically peruse my writings. I could, but this is not a publishing house,
philosopher

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 04:24 PM

I have a friend who has a degree in Philosophy. He doesn't have a job, but at least he knows why.

We don't need light, we need better matches.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST,philosopher
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 04:20 PM

To the Big Eagle (aka Little Hawk),
I see that you have rather methodicaly and intrinsically probed this philosophical question. I also commend you for taking time to didactically expone and expatiate your surmises or rather deductions on this page. Bob spoke about epiphany eloquently in that time, the most clear message from his lips but now rather dabbles in theism with trivial messages.
In my opinion, people are distanced from the Divinity for multifarious reasons. Some of them I would rather state than lucubrate upon it for its far to complex:
1) The course of the eon of this world. (Imposed ideas, secular notions.
2) carnality (mortality) of man. (in a self destructive trajectory, unable to rise above himself ad reach the higher light)
3) fear of losing own identity (which, ironically, what they think is their own are ideas of others assidiously drummed into their brains during their life in this tellurian experience.
4)fear of unknown ( whether that be an Omnipotent being (notice to Peter usage of "an")or an ida of an extraterestial life) But we should be afraid of the Divine for He is Love, means no harm but benediction of his creation.
5) choice of their own will.
6)misinterpretation of the Theos and misapplying certain attributes to the Divine one that do not belong to him, this is merely foisted upon humanity by organized ignorance of many influential brains.
&)wrong choice, g-o-d of their own, what I elaborated in my previous writings. There is only one God and a true one, philosophically incompatible is the notions that many divers interpratations of religions lead to the same Being.
Light is wat we need,
philosopher

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 03:31 PM

Bob clearly had a personal epiphany prior to doing those three religious albums "Slow Train", "Saved", and "Shot of Love". It made him much more certain of himself than he'd probably ever been before, and it produced some very intense and focused music (whether you love it or hate it or don't care...). I find it fascinating listening to him giving unruly audiences a tongue-lashing over their ungodliness and general moral corruption in those fiery days. ;-) Have heard that on a few bootlegs from the period.

What he experienced was for him personally...as such experiences always are. It would have been unrealistic to necessarily expect other people to relate to it. Some might, many would not.

Guest, a PM is a private message sent from one member of this forum to another...an in-forum email, so to speak. You cannot do that until you have become a member of Mudcat Cafe. It's one of the things that is handy when you are a member.

Philosopher, let me ask you what you think gets in the way of people knowing God personally. What do you think?

I think it's fear. And the sense of fear arises out of the sense of individuality and the feeling of separation (from everyone and everything else) that comes with it. When people love without any reserve at all, they no longer feel separate from the beloved. Since God loves everything and everyone without any reserve (by virtue of simply BEING everything), God is not separate from anyone....but that doesn't mean they know it! Not knowing it, not perceiving it, they feel separate, and they imagine a God that is separate...or they imagine that there is no God at all. In the first case, they feel very distant from God and at a great disadvantage...like some kind of miserable sinner who must struggle against all probable odds to gain acceptance from "the Allmighty". In the second case, they feel completely alone and vulnerable in an enormous, probably meaningless Universe, engaged in a struggle for survival and short-term pleasure which can only end in the final defeat they call "death".

In either case, tremendous fear arises...and it evidences itself almost continuously in all kinds of disturbed behaviour, conflict, and negative thought patterns. That's the human tragedy.

Dylan has written about it very eloquently throughout his career. My impression is that he normally sees God as distant...but for a short while between about '79 and '82 he felt like he was making direct contact. As such, he was very inspired at the time.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: fat B****rd
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 03:30 PM

What is all this to do with the new Bob Dylan CD ?????

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 01:50 PM

what is PM?s

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Peter T.
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 08:33 AM

I am sure that if there is an hereafter, you will be there, erinmaiden -- in an heavenly way of course.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: erinmaidin
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 06:53 AM

I would hate to risk, further boring conversations tied into this topic, discussing whether or not there is a God and an hereafter (Peter T....note the proper usage of "an"). Would love, however, to continue if you like, via PMs,(unless,of course, others are interested in my response). As far as the epiphany mentioned I can only respond with "hope springs eternal", another basic human element.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Peter T.
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 10:18 PM

I am a spellist and a grammist, so have difficulty continuing this discussion.

Returning to the Bobster, I have heard one of his shows -- who knew the guy would talk your ear off?

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST,philosopher
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 09:04 PM

erinmaidin. I think you blink to much despite having your eyes opened,it is then when you miss him. You don't need to go any further than yourself. If i asked you how you came to be you might answer, "well, in the moment of copulation." Very well, I won't dispute that, but if I asked you where is your conscience or even better, cognitive differentiation coming from, what will you tell me? From a priest, Rabbi, evangelist, book writen by mortals?I am sure not, you might say, it came in a package with the body. But again why not givi it a try to a mortal, just like me and you, maybe he had an epiphany, a real one, not a mere speculation. would you believe him. I believe the knowledge of the Supreme Being might come by mortals, why not, otherwise how could we understand the Immortal One. By mortal words namely. I have two dogs. They understand each other better than I. they are same species.But, fortunately, God is not only limited to mortals, he has many ways of showing his ways to us.
Final note: by the way erinmaidin, you already had an epiphany, didn't you? If you didn't you wouldn't still kept your eyes opened. Despite the blinking.
Philosopher.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: erinmaidin
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 08:41 PM

Philosopher,
And this is true because???? You say so? Are you extra-human? I'm not strictly a non-believer however I'm still waiting for a personal epiphany...something that comes not from a book written by another mere mortal...not from some organized religion that was designed to control humanity and keep the unwashed in check...not from an "evangelist" who insists he's been chosen to reveal truths again to "the great unwashed". I keep my eyes open and I'm ....
still waiting.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST,Guest-Philosopher
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 08:25 PM

Appreciate the comment of the little hawk, keep believing and you will become a big eagle,
philosopher

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 08:08 PM

And, yeah...God is love...unfolding and expressing endlessly. You surrender to love or you don't. You surrender to God or you don't.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 08:03 PM

Hmmmm. Thanks for posting the link, Steve. Have listened to the first 2 tracks now, and they sound great. This is way more enjoyable to me than Bob's last 2 records. It could be the best work he's done in a long time if the rest of the album is up to the same level as the first 2 songs.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 07:55 PM

Answer to Peter T.
1) To answer to your first question, even though pragmatism and atheism has many things in common, and attempt to assimilate many ideas, they are still incompatible in essence, atheism is exclusive in its claim that God does not exist, not only a Christian God but all implications and definitions of God. God is according to atheism a non existant being.
pramatism, on the other hand, is not necesarily opossed to such an idea, but posses many obsticles, which, by the way, aren't insurmontable. Pragmatism is based on following proofs and science, deductive thoughts and postulations,inveterated patterns, which I said earlier, the nature proves the existance of such a Supernatural being, the nature eliminates both pragmatism and atheism. Pragmatism includes many atheistic theories in the mind of pragmatic interpretors but in the semantics this is not necesary nor self inclusive.

2) ecclesiasticims is a term that denotes the church as institution and its practicies but also a personal faith circumscribed by dogmas and personal believes. As you well said it can pertain to your church practicies but it is much more than that, Dylan abounds in personal motives about God and also reflects on religion in many songs, "ring them bells" even on the new album he mentions some saint.

Personal note,
the world is godless because of the choice of the mortal people, but the world is not without God for God is alive and well, coegsisting with us and giving us clear differentiation between right and God. Dylan knows this but he is not sure wheter he want to capsulate an absolute God, instead he tries to fix himself a path where his opinion about Divinity is an appropriate one. It is a distorted view and irreconcilable with a compeling truth. My hope is that behavior is corrigible.
God is God just as he is, whether that be a simple faith of an elderly, naive woman or a scooled philosopher, if you find him in your heart he will show himself to all of us despite our ignorance, fatuity or regardless of our education. To summarize this elucidation- God is love,
Philosopher

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 07:14 PM

You can listen to the whole CD here.



I like what I have heard, but I haven't heard all of the tracks yet.

Modern Times

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 06:40 PM

I heard a couple of clips on the radio today, and I liked what I heard.
G.

Subject: RE: Review: Bob Dylan's latest!
From: Peter T.
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 06:39 PM

(1) How are pragmatism and atheism opposed? You may just decide to get on with life in a godless world.
(2) I am not sure what "ecclesiasticism" means -- in my church it means supporting churches, bishops, institutional structures ,whatever.   I doubt if Dylan has ever supported any of that: as far as I can tell he is/was a classic "lightning struck me and I saw God" kind of guy.   

yours,

Peter T.