I grew up in the 70's & 80's listening and admiring the rock music of the 60's. My LP collection included the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks, and the Doors. I was big on "British invasion" bands, but I listened to just about anything from the decade. I did have a Bob Dylan greatest hits album, but it was never in heavy rotation on my turntable. I owned it because Dylan is an icon, and I knew I was supposed to like it. Fast forward a couple decades, and I decided to hear what I've been missing. The fact is, I don't think I missed anything.
Bob Dylan is a clever songwriter, and a sort of 60's anti-hero. When he broke away from conventional folk and started playing electric, he found a terrific backing group in what later became known as The Band. I'll give him credit for that. The things I can't get past are his nasel vocals, and his hideous harmonica playing.
The studio recordings don't excite me, but they're a whole lot better than his live shows. Rhythm and pitch are optional in Dylan's shows. (and when it's one man and a guitar, it's almost passable, but not plugged in) I know his fans won't agree with me, but in all the live footage I've seen, Bob is the weak link in the band. In more recent work, his singing is a pale imitation of a blues singer. Howlin' Wolf he is not.
Bob Dylan was a man for his time and place. He helped popularize music that was deeper than the Twist. He was a gritty folk singer in a time of polished showtunes. There's no doubt he influenced his contemporaries, and his reputation as songwriter is mostly deserved. There just isn't any of his performances that I need to revisit. I guess you had to be there.
