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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Little Hawk Date: 19 Nov 09 - 01:05 PM Bing, if I may quote CarolC's gloriously funny comment... "the way he's violating our hearing is like the way a dirty old flasher in a trench coat violates people's vision" LOLOL!!!!!! Man, I nearly fell off my chair when I read that one. Still, there is something I like about how Bob does these songs. It's odd. I can't put my finger on what it is. Maybe it's the fact that he clearly respects the material. But I sort of like it. I can't decide whether or not to buy a copy of the CD. ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: GUEST,Bing Date: 18 Nov 09 - 05:37 PM "I'll be darned! I thought I'd hate this stuff....I can't stand Christmas songs generally...but to my surprise I actually LIKE the way Bob's voice sounds on these songs. It's an interesting counterpoint to the sugary music. Pretty cool in a strange way." Little Hawk, you should just have kept quiet. We all know how much you worship his Bobness but this is a step too far." ..... I actually LIKE the way Bob's voice sounds on these songs ....". In the immortal words of John MacEnroe "You can't be serious!!". |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: bobad Date: 18 Nov 09 - 05:09 PM Bob Dylan "Must Be Santa" on YouTube |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: GUEST,Russ Date: 03 Nov 09 - 06:30 AM I probably won't buy the CD because I rarely by "commercial" CDs anymore. But if I were to buy a Christmas album this year, this would be the one. I have enjoyed what I have heard. His renditions put a smile on my face. A fair number of Christmas standards are great songs in spite of having become muscial cliches. It sounds to me like he is singing songs that he grew up with and likes. He sings the songs with respect. I should admit that I don't have much of a problem with the tacky super-commercialized event that Christmas has become. If you think about it, in this day and age what else could a "Christmas" album be? The harder you try to make it NOT sound like everything else the more precious and pretentious it becomes. Russ (Permanent GUEST) |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: CarolC Date: 02 Nov 09 - 10:47 PM Should I send you and Carol one of those CDs for Christmas? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!! (I thought we were friends. *sniff*) My input... the way he's violating our hearing is like the way a dirty old flasher in a trench coat violates people's vision. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: GUEST,jts Date: 02 Nov 09 - 10:20 PM Why not? I know some youngsters I can use it on. Send a copy to Guantanamo while you are at it. But don't tell Amnesty International. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Little Hawk Date: 30 Oct 09 - 05:44 PM So, Jack..... Should I send you and Carol one of those CDs for Christmas? ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: open mike Date: 30 Oct 09 - 01:27 PM one radio review said that "I'll be home for christmas" sounds more like a threat than a promise. Christmas in the Heart preview songs here:you can listen here: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Heart-Bob-Dylan/dp/B002MW50KO the charity--you can donate direct... http://feedingamerica.org/default.aspx |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: GUEST,jts Date: 30 Oct 09 - 12:13 PM I just listened to the samples of tracks on iTunes. I've never liked him as a singer, but this is a level beyond bad. I'm shuddering at the thought of thousands of baby boomers playing this for their grand kids in the lexus SUV on the way to the mall. I never thought that my generation would have somethings as bad as Lawrence Welk to inflict upon the young ones. But this is worse. At least Welk hired people who could sing. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: GUEST,Strummin Steve Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:21 PM It makes me smile every time I hear one of the tracks! Steve |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: MoorleyMan Date: 18 Oct 09 - 01:49 PM Ouch. This sounds awesome - or do I mean awe-ful??? (Cries of "Judas"...) I've always been a bit of a sucker for the honorable failures, the "so bad it's good"-s of the music world, so I guess if anyone has bought a copy and wants to offload it to a good home then hey, just pass me the white coat, nurse!!! |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Little Hawk Date: 15 Oct 09 - 04:48 PM I just listened to it, Spaw... I'll be darned! I thought I'd hate this stuff....I can't stand Christmas songs generally...but to my surprise I actually LIKE the way Bob's voice sounds on these songs. It's an interesting counterpoint to the sugary music. Pretty cool in a strange way. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: catspaw49 Date: 15 Oct 09 - 04:23 PM Thank gawd he didn't do "Silent Night"........For those of you wanting a taste of this lack thereof..........YouTube Preview It seems so wonderfully bad, I hate not to have it but...... Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 15 Oct 09 - 04:01 PM I love Bob Dylan. This album sucks so bad that it is really good. It reminds me of the crappy King Singers meeting up with Burl Ives and Gene Autry, and sung with the a voice that makes Tom Waits sound like Pavarotti. It is a fun and sounds like fingers on a blackboard. It will become a cherished holiday favorite in some of the better bars and saloons across the nation. I still applaud Dylan for doing this. He had some fun and he is helping a lot of people. I enjoy it. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: RamblinStu Date: 15 Oct 09 - 03:48 PM Remember when he went electric? he will always do what he wants to do, he is not a puppet. if we want to go along we can, if not.... i love loads of his stuff and dont like some bits. the christmas album....yea i like stuart pendrill |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: VirginiaTam Date: 15 Oct 09 - 03:19 PM heard a fair few excerpts on Beeb radio4 yesterday. they were vile. and different strokes indeed because i love the King's collges recordings. well i did until my daughter passed away. now i can't hear children singing carols. just can't. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Little Hawk Date: 15 Oct 09 - 11:20 AM The idea of Dylan doing a collaboration album with the Chimpmunks is a striking one, Ron. I, for one, hope that it is not far off. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Dave MacKenzie Date: 15 Oct 09 - 11:05 AM The UK charity is "Crisis" and you can make gift aid donations on their web-site. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: greg stephens Date: 15 Oct 09 - 10:57 AM I thought they played the KIngs College Chapel carol service stuff. I wasn't meaning to have a pop at the King's Singers, I was referring to the style of the college choir. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Ron Davies Date: 15 Oct 09 - 07:24 AM "...plum in mouth.." Different strokes... I like a lot of Kings Singers renditions. Though admittedly "Here Comes Santa Claus" or "Jingle Bells" would not be the best choices for repertoire for them--if they've ever recorded these. (Though a self-parody rendition of these could be a hit.) I'd far rather hear their version of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" however--which they could do well, I'm sure-- based on reports of Dylan's performance. Dylan would fit well on a CD also including the Chipmunks. The Chipmunks however have both humor and charm. As others have suggested, it sounds like the best approach is just to give to charity what you might have been tempted to spend on this album. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: greg stephens Date: 15 Oct 09 - 07:07 AM Sounded fine to me on Radio4, especially in contrast to the plum-in-mouth King's College e-n-u-n-c-i-a-t-i-o-n which drives me mad. Give me sardonic mumbling any day. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: banjoman Date: 15 Oct 09 - 05:41 AM I have been a Dylan Fan since the 60's and have most of his recordings. I heard a couple of extracts from this one on Radio 4, and although I applaud any efforts to raise money for charity, I was a bit taken aback and initially thought it was a joke as the tracks were blended in with tracks of The Kings Singers to show the comparison. I don't think I will be buying this one as I think it is a mockery of what I always thought he represented. However, I am always willing to have another listen and be proved wrong. Most of his work needs a second listen to appreciate. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Ron Davies Date: 15 Oct 09 - 12:23 AM Hey LH--that reviewer also said: this CD "launches Dylan into the rarified atmosphere of pop icons who've contributed truly memorable songs to our communal Christmas jukebox..." And you're missing some wonderful music by not buying Christmas CD's--though now you can cherry-pick and make your own. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Little Hawk Date: 15 Oct 09 - 12:12 AM Reviewers love something they can really tear into...! (grin) It's fun writing scathing reviews, so they should have a riot with Bob's new Christmas album. Myself, I never buy Christmas albums. I don't care who they're by. I do remember, though, we had a copy of the Joan Baez Christmas album a long time ago, and it was pretty good. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Ron Davies Date: 15 Oct 09 - 12:05 AM So now there are at least two reviews of this, both saying the same thing about the same song--second one in the free paper on the Metro today: " 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'" "sounds like a reason to bolt your doors." Even allowing for the usual jaded attitude of reviewers, sounds like there might be something to that. And " Here Comes Santa Claus" "making Yuletide glee feel more like lunacy". "Yet over the course of 15 songs, Dylan's huffing and puffing becomes familiar, almost meditative---like a snowblower howling away on a December afternoon." One thing--the reviewer sure had fun writing this one. Sure makes me curious to hear some of this creation--once. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Slag Date: 14 Oct 09 - 06:39 PM Positively 4th Street! Let it be there, just one time! I think Woody would have approved. I know I do. More than "revolution", Dylan has always showed a strong social side in many of his works. I admire someone who can rise above his own image and hype and put his talent and his money where is heart is. Good for Dylan. I will buy the album. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Dead Horse Date: 14 Oct 09 - 06:04 PM Snowing in the Wind? Just Like a Snowman? I Shall Be Refreezed? Leopard Skin Paper Hat? Masters of Charades? Turkey Chase? All Along the Big Issue? I will get me coat........................... |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: meself Date: 14 Oct 09 - 05:52 PM Well, I suppose there's something wrong with me - not the first time that thought has crossed my mind, I'm afraid - but I'm looking forward to hearing this album. Well, some of it, anyway. And if I hear a bit and don't like it - so what? I'll stop listening to it. That's how it's always been with me and Bob .... |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Dave MacKenzie Date: 14 Oct 09 - 05:27 PM I've now heard a bit, so I've taken it off my Amazon wish list. I'll make a donation direct, and play "Bah Humbug" |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: GUEST Date: 14 Oct 09 - 05:05 PM Chicago Sun Times review: Bob Dylan, "Christmas in the Heart" (Columbia) [NO STARS] By Jim DeRogatis on October 9, 2009 4:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (37) | TrackBacks (0) Though it may seem like the most unlikely endeavor, longtime fans of rock's most famous bard must applaud the notion of Robert Allen Zimmerman making a Christmas album--that is, at least if you appreciate the wickedly sarcastic sense of humor and love of surrealism that have always been a strain in Bob Dylan's work. This is, after all, the man whose autobiography lauds old-time wrestler Gorgeous George and ukulele-strumming Tiny Tim as two of his biggest inspirations, and who loves to mess with our notion of his status as the Voice of a Generation with the occasional mind-boggling detour like making a Victoria's Secret commercial. Conceptually, then, "Christmas in the Heart" is a success, simply because it's so unexpected and downright bizarre. You might think that as he enters the sixth decade of his career, with 34 studio albums and countless live recordings to his credit, Dylan couldn't come up with anything to surprise us anymore. Well, he just found something. Unfortunately, when it comes to the music, the album is a complete failure. From the faux-Currier and Ives cover art to the annoyingly precious arrangements, and from the beyond-predictable choice of tired holiday chestnuts to the chorus of backing vocalists who sound as if they could be the surviving members of the King Family, Dylan plays things beyond straight, adhering to the syrupy, schlocky pop sounds of the pre-rock era that also provided the worst moments on his recent albums. Never a conventionally good singer, of late, Dylan's once powerful croak has become more of a raspy wheeze. But his delivery is the real problem. When the star stumbles through "I'll Be Home for Christmas," he sounds like the family's disinherited black sheep embarrassment, delivering the sentiment as a threat rather than a promise. In "Winter Wonderland," when that treacly chorus coos, "We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman," he sounds like a psychotic as he answers, "Until the other kids all knock him down!" And by the time he starts slaughtering the familiar Latin refrain of "Adeste fideles"--"Venite adoremus Dominum" becomes, no kidding, "Benito adore-a-moose domino!"--you don't know whether to wince or guffaw. If the proceeds of this album weren't being donated to charities dedicated to easing world hunger, you might think it was all a big put-on. Regardless, fans would be well advised to make a donation of their own and spare themselves this holiday torture. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 14 Oct 09 - 03:45 PM He's helping to feed the hungry in two countries. Get over yourselves, guys. Seamus |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: bobad Date: 14 Oct 09 - 01:49 PM Heard excerpts from a few cuts on the radio this AM......er....um...well, I can say, in all honesty, that it is different. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: BK Lick Date: 29 Aug 09 - 05:12 PM Bodad, thanks for the heads up -- I should have known better. Link to the downloads from the Theme Time Radio Hour Archive -- scroll down to Season 1: 34: Christmas & New Year's 1 2 (Dec 20, 2006, 2hrs and follow the download links there. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: GUEST,Neil D Date: 29 Aug 09 - 03:53 PM Heck, I'll buy it just to help feed some people. I always put something in the Salvation Army kettles too. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 29 Aug 09 - 09:37 AM If you read the story, and if you've listened to his radio show, it appears obvious to me that Dylan was just making a joke about the GPS. He was setting up for a punchline, which he often does. It looks like another case of people taking everything too seriously. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: GUEST,Peter Laban Date: 29 Aug 09 - 08:36 AM Surprising nobody has yet mentioned Dylan is to do the voice of a sat nav system. Read here |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Big Tim Date: 29 Aug 09 - 08:10 AM Dylan put himself on the 'pedestal', nobody else, by the greatness of his songwriting and his unique voice ('field hand singing at dawn' or something like that). And he hasn't fallen off it (yet) as his last two albums have gone to number 1 all around the world, an incredible achievement for a man of his age and career length. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Fortunato Date: 29 Aug 09 - 07:45 AM Peace has it right. It'll likely be a great album. I also agree with Ron, Dylan has often inspired me and, hell, I like Christmas songs. I sing Frosty every year and my family tolerates me... cheers, chance |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: bobad Date: 29 Aug 09 - 07:04 AM BK, your download sites don't dig hotlinking. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: BK Lick Date: 29 Aug 09 - 03:42 AM Boy, I sure do agree with what Peace said! Have a listen to Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour for Christmas, 2006: annotated track list zipped archive of hour 1 zipped archive of hour 2 |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Peace Date: 28 Aug 09 - 06:13 PM If Dylan's hand is in it, it will be a work of genius. Go get 'em, Bobby. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 28 Aug 09 - 04:16 PM "the fact remains that for many years he represented something of what I wanted to be like" George, my guess is that you did live up to the representation and kept your ideals - something that Dylan never could do. That is the beauty of a great artist - they create something that inspires. It does not have represent themselves but should represent a message that the artist tries to create. Contrary to Marshall McCluen, the medium is NOT the message - the message is the message! |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: George Papavgeris Date: 28 Aug 09 - 11:52 AM Of course you're right, Ron. My fault for putting him on a pedestal when I was 15. But hey, I didn't know better, and neither he nor the music media of the day discouraged me. Quite the opposite. Whatever, the fact remains that for many years he represented something of what I wanted to be like. So it is natural for me to feel the loss - no matter whose fault it is. I don't blame him, I just disagree with him. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive) Date: 28 Aug 09 - 11:51 AM if you haven't already, you might want to search out and read Colin Irwin's Legendary Sessions: Bob Dylan: Highway 61 Revisited (2007) It does illustrate perfectly, for me, just how much Dylan does not live up to anyone's expectations (except his own, and even then he doesn't always. Charlotte Olivia Robertson (Ms) uppity "Indian" chick |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Fortunato Date: 28 Aug 09 - 11:38 AM I just wish he'd invited me to play on it. Now, I don't need the money, you understand, but the people I owe, they need the money! I also wish I'd written Grandmaw Got Run Over by a Reindeer...I can hear Bob singing that, can't you? |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Little Hawk Date: 28 Aug 09 - 11:26 AM "They've got a lotta nerve..." |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive) Date: 28 Aug 09 - 11:15 AM I agree with WFDU - Ron Olesko. Who put the likes of Bob Dylan etc on the pedestals in the first place? I was you and I. Then there are complaints till the cows come home when the artist(s) in question don't meet with the expectations put upon them. Dylan never did meet with your expectations, nor mine, nor anyones, so..you know what? get over it and let Dylan do what Dylan does. as poster, bobad (27 Aug 09 - 07:16 AM) says "Knowing Bob, it will be tastefully done and he will surprise us as he often does." and as I said (27 Aug 09 - 10:12 AM) "The critics who jump all over Dylan, no matter what he does, are always with us." Charlotte Olivia Robertson (Ms) uppity "Indian" chick |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: folktheatre Date: 28 Aug 09 - 11:05 AM Well it's got a long way to go to beat Dolly Parton's effort! |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 28 Aug 09 - 10:51 AM "It is always surprising to see the heroes of your youth sliding off their pedestal, no matter how noble the cause. " Just remember, we are at fault for placing them on pedestals. We are also at fault when we make a judgement before hearing the final product. Dylan is probably not targeting this at folks like us, nor should he be expected to. |
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Subject: RE: Dylan Christmas CD !!!!! From: Smedley Date: 28 Aug 09 - 08:21 AM Is the promised (or threatened) 'Must Be Santa' the same somg as the one performed so excruciatingly in the early 1960s by Britain's own & highly unloveable Tommy Steele???? If so, brace yourself...... |
