BS: New Dylan's????

Subject: New Dylan's????
From: gus C
Date: 24 May 01 - 06:59 PM

I am listening to a broadcast from local NYC station WFUV. It is available on the web for anyone who is interested. They are having a Dylanathon 60th birthday bash for Bob Dylan. This hour they are focusing on "the new Dylans". I have never cared for a one of these "new dylans", but I am a big fan of Dylan's work.
I think the one thing that is always missing from the "new Dylans" is deep roots. When I listen to Dylan I here Bukka White, Hank Williams, Charlie Patton, Woody Guthrie, and William Blake. And of course Bob Dylan. All the "new Dylans" seem to want you to hear THEM, like they are a world unto themselves.
Everyone seems to experience Dylan diffrently. The mudcat being a Folk music forum, what is it that draws the Dylan fans present here to Mr. Dylan. Is it the lyrics , the music, the delivery? For myself it is the poets tongue reinterpreting several varieties of Traditional American music, with the emphasis on the exploration of reinterpretation more so than the words, although Bob's tongue certainly makes a sound contribution.I find the way Dylan chases old themes , catches them and recasts them Musically and lyrically to be the reason I pay close attention. any thoughts.

Subject: RE: BS: New Dylan's????
From: rube1
Date: 24 May 01 - 07:52 PM

I don't know of any recent "new Dylans." In the past, to be labeled "Dylaneque" was almost assuredly the kiss of death. A Rolling Stone review of John Prine's "Common Sense" used that term disparagingly. That writer, Steven Holden, went on to be a bigshot for the NY Times, but I doubt he was ever more wrong in his life. Steve Forbert also got tagged as "Dylanesque" and for a time it was like the rug was pulled out from under him, too. Both these guys were way too individual to be accurately labeled as imitators of anyone, as their distinguished careers have proved. I'd think twice about labeling anyone a "new Dylan." It's too big a shadow to get out from under.

Subject: RE: BS: New Dylan's????
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 May 01 - 11:59 PM

One name stands above all....SAMMY WALKER! Anyone remember him. He was Phil Ochs' pet project for about a year. Hi album's on Folkways, and it's very strange.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: New Dylan's????
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 25 May 01 - 12:08 AM

There can never be a new Bob Dylan.

"We were so much younger then, we're older than that now"

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: New Dylan's????
From: Little Hawk
Date: 25 May 01 - 11:25 AM

The idea of a new Dylan is one that occurs naturally to a lot of people, but it ain't gonna happen. Dylan was trying for a few years to be a "new Woody Guthrie", but in the process he discovered that it doesn't work that way, and became himself instead.

At that point he left his idols behind and went into brand new territory, but it's fascinating how much of the past still resonates all through his work, as DJH pointed out.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: New Dylan's????
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 25 May 01 - 11:28 AM

Rick,

I once played Sammy Walker's tribute to Patty Hearst (Tanya period) for a well known Dylan expert and told him that it was Dylan. He believed me.

Subject: RE: BS: New Dylan's????
From: Les from Hull
Date: 25 May 01 - 11:42 AM

New Bob Dylans? We haven't finished with the old one yet.

I wonder if Loudon Wainwright (one of the old new Bob Dylans) is writing another song for Dylan's 60th. The one he did for his 50th was superb, and said quite a lot about 'new Dylans'.