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Post by Panther on Aug 17, 2012 9:26:14 GMT -5
Surprised no one has mentioned Bob Dylan's forthcoming album, Tempest. The album features a new song, "Roll On, John", a tribute to John Lennon. The LP will be out September 10th/11th. Here are quotes from some published reviews of the album, regarding the song "Roll On, John": [Uncut] “Roll On John”, the album’s closing track, a wistful tribute to John Lennon that quotes lines from several Beatles songs, including “Come Together” and “A Day In The Life”. [Rolling Stone] Tenderness finally seals Tempest, in "Roll On, John," Dylan's heartfelt tribute to his friend John Lennon. [LA Times] A 7 1/2-minute benediction directed at John Lennon, invoking several snippets of lyrics from the late Beatle’s songs. [Billboard] The album's final track is a tribute to John Lennon, "Roll on John." In one verse Dylan references the Beatles songs "Come Together", "Ballad of John and Yoko", and "Slow Down"; elsewhere on the ballad he combines the metaphysical with the historical. [Guardian] Then finally, there's 'Roll on John', which digs back into the blues and into William Blake to tell part of the story of John Lennon; it's warm, mysterious and moving – and an excuse to dig out that famous footage of the pair in London taxi cab – with Dylan at one point singing: "I heard the news today, oh boy!" In terms of the Dylan canon, does it bring to mind the crepuscular menace of 'Not Dark Yet'?. Perhaps it's more 'Forever Young'. [Telegraph] The album’s beautiful, surprising conclusion, 'Roll On John', is almost out of character, a shaggy, loose piano and organ lament for one of rock’s great dreamers, John Lennon. Dylan sings to his lost friend “your bones are weary, you’re about to breathe your last / Lord you know how hard that bit can be”, before breaking into an elegiac, bittersweet chorus (“Shine a light / Move it on / You burned so bright / Roll on John”). [Mojo] And in the end, pretty much a blow-by-blow account of the murder of Dylan's friend John Lennon. Bob imagines the physical experience of dying that John endured in his final moments, down to "breathing his last." Terribly sad, terribly moving, and appropriate for all of us who consider Dylan and Lennon the titans of rock 'n' roll artistry -- once two very stoned young pals in the back of a limo having too much fun. "You burned so bright / Roll on John." (NOTE: The title-track, "Tempest", is apparently a 14-minute account of the sinking of the Titanic!)
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Aug 17, 2012 17:14:23 GMT -5
Surprised no one has mentioned Bob Dylan's forthcoming album, Tempest. The album features a new song, "Roll On, John", a tribute to John Lennon. Both the album and the John tribute song have been mentioned here.
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Post by John S. Damm on Aug 17, 2012 17:30:23 GMT -5
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Post by mikev on Aug 17, 2012 17:32:37 GMT -5
Surprised no one has mentioned Bob Dylan's forthcoming album, Tempest. The album features a new song, "Roll On, John", a tribute to John Lennon. The LP will be out September 10th/11th. Here are quotes from some published reviews of the album, regarding the song "Roll On, John": [Uncut] “Roll On John”, the album’s closing track, a wistful tribute to John Lennon that quotes lines from several Beatles songs, including “Come Together” and “A Day In The Life”. [Rolling Stone] Tenderness finally seals Tempest, in "Roll On, John," Dylan's heartfelt tribute to his friend John Lennon. [LA Times] A 7 1/2-minute benediction directed at John Lennon, invoking several snippets of lyrics from the late Beatle’s songs. [Billboard] The album's final track is a tribute to John Lennon, "Roll on John." In one verse Dylan references the Beatles songs "Come Together", "Ballad of John and Yoko", and "Slow Down"; elsewhere on the ballad he combines the metaphysical with the historical. [Guardian] Then finally, there's 'Roll on John', which digs back into the blues and into William Blake to tell part of the story of John Lennon; it's warm, mysterious and moving – and an excuse to dig out that famous footage of the pair in London taxi cab – with Dylan at one point singing: "I heard the news today, oh boy!" In terms of the Dylan canon, does it bring to mind the crepuscular menace of 'Not Dark Yet'?. Perhaps it's more 'Forever Young'. [Telegraph] The album’s beautiful, surprising conclusion, 'Roll On John', is almost out of character, a shaggy, loose piano and organ lament for one of rock’s great dreamers, John Lennon. Dylan sings to his lost friend “your bones are weary, you’re about to breathe your last / Lord you know how hard that bit can be”, before breaking into an elegiac, bittersweet chorus (“Shine a light / Move it on / You burned so bright / Roll on John”). [Mojo] And in the end, pretty much a blow-by-blow account of the murder of Dylan's friend John Lennon. Bob imagines the physical experience of dying that John endured in his final moments, down to "breathing his last." Terribly sad, terribly moving, and appropriate for all of us who consider Dylan and Lennon the titans of rock 'n' roll artistry -- once two very stoned young pals in the back of a limo having too much fun. "You burned so bright / Roll on John." (NOTE: The title-track, "Tempest", is apparently a 14-minute account of the sinking of the Titanic!) Roll On John is a remake.
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Post by mikev on Aug 17, 2012 17:36:18 GMT -5
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Post by mikev on Aug 17, 2012 17:37:03 GMT -5
and THAT is how voice can age with grace!!!
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Aug 17, 2012 18:03:05 GMT -5
Me too! I liked this immediately... !
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Post by sayne on Aug 17, 2012 22:24:10 GMT -5
Is it really fair to describe Bob and John as "friends"? Not implying that they were enemies or disliked each other, but "friends." I don't know of much evidence of the two of them hanging out, going to movies, writing letters, calling on the phone, etc. Acquaintances would be more accurate, I think.
Yes, I know that there is such a thing as long distance friendships or having a friend that one has not seen for a very long time, but in both instances, the relationship started as close. I never saw Bob and John as ever being close enough to be friends. Friendly? Yes. Respectful? Yes. But, bosom buddies? Nah.
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Post by vectisfabber on Aug 18, 2012 2:18:48 GMT -5
I get the impression that John had few friends, especially as an adult.
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Post by John S. Damm on Aug 18, 2012 11:28:03 GMT -5
And I am not sure Dylan is real close to anyone either although he has done an amazing job of keeping his private life private.
sayne, I agree with you that John and Dylan weren't friends in the sense that we thinks of friends or at least how I do. They were more like two heavyweight alpha male dogs checking each other out, circling each other warily, trying to get a feel for the other by sniffing each other and both parting on the conclusion that a respectful co-existence made more sense than a confrontational relationship.
Dylan's controversial tour of the U.K. in 1966 was Lennon's and Dylan's highwater mark of a relationship as such.
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Post by sayne on Aug 18, 2012 13:05:58 GMT -5
Yeah, I really dug this song the first time I heard it, too . . . way back when Muddy Waters did it in 1955! People forget that Bob Dylan, since he first came on the scene, has been frequently accused lifting tunes and lyrics from here, there, and everywhere. But, I dig him. I'll be seeing him at the Hollywood Bowl with Mark Knopfler.
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Post by Panther on Aug 20, 2012 22:46:45 GMT -5
People forget that Bob Dylan, since he first came on the scene, has been frequently accused lifting tunes and lyrics from here, there, and everywhere. It's not something to take note of in some musical circles. In the circles that Dylan emerged from in the early 60s (Minneapolis Dinkytown, New York's urban-folk scene), re-making old tunes was the norm, not the exception. Writing your own songs and taking credit for them (as if they were totally original) was not looked on as a good thing. I do think in certain fandom areas -- the Beatles, for example -- songwriting is slightly over-rated. If you were to look at the major movements in music history in, say, the USA, 'original' songwriting comprises a very small part of it.
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Post by mikev on Aug 22, 2012 7:57:39 GMT -5
People forget that Bob Dylan, since he first came on the scene, has been frequently accused lifting tunes and lyrics from here, there, and everywhere. It's not something to take note of in some musical circles. In the circles that Dylan emerged from in the early 60s (Minneapolis Dinkytown, New York's urban-folk scene), re-making old tunes was the norm, not the exception. Writing your own songs and taking credit for them (as if they were totally original) was not looked on as a good thing. I do think in certain fandom areas -- the Beatles, for example -- songwriting is slightly over-rated. If you were to look at the major movements in music history in, say, the USA, 'original' songwriting comprises a very small part of it. Many old blues tunes were not copyrighted, so some artists would take credit for an adaption of a song, and there are other instances we well know where artists borrow from old poetry and don't always list the credit. In Dylan's case, I don't have old LPs, so I would be curious to who is credited on the sleeve or disc for certain songs, before I pass an opinion.
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 4, 2012 22:21:22 GMT -5
ROLLING STONE gives the new Dylan album 5 out of 5 stars. Here is a link to the review: www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/tempest-20120830Similar to what sayne wrote, the reviewer says "Roll On, John" is about the assasination of Dylan's old "acquaintance"(not "friend") John Lennon. The writer, Will Hermes, concludes about "Roll On, John:": It's a prayer from one great artist to another, and a reminder that Dylan now stands virtually alone among his 1960s peers.I look forward to hearing "Roll On, John" and the rest of the album.
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Post by sayne on Sept 5, 2012 18:14:55 GMT -5
. . . a reminder that Dylan now stands virtually alone among his 1960s peers. [/b] [/quote] As much as I like Dylan, I have to admit that I was little irked when I read that in the magazine. I think there are several others that are still in the game - and hitting.
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 5, 2012 20:57:42 GMT -5
. . . a reminder that Dylan now stands virtually alone among his 1960s peers. [/b] [/quote] As much as I like Dylan, I have to admit that I was little irked when I read that in the magazine. I think there are several others that are still in the game - and hitting.[/quote] There are. I also thought that line might draw out our recently reclusive RTP! ;D
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 7, 2012 23:05:32 GMT -5
I posted this in the Dylan Thread in Various Music but I will repost this here as it concerns "Roll On John."
You can listen to Dylan's new album Tempest for free at iTunes and I just got done listening and it is a powerful album. It gets better as it goes on.
I am sitting here with wet eyes after hearing "Roll On John." I have never heard Dylan sound so sincere and mournful. It is a powerful song and I am so grateful that an artist of Dylan's stature has done a tribute song to John Lennon in 2012 when John is almost a faded memory to many, even us fans, because of the passage of so many years. This has instantly become my favorite Lennon tribute song and to be from Dylan makes it very special. Thanks Bob.
Steve has a link to hear that song in his Examiner column and it is the last song of the album over at iTunes for free.
I really liked the title song "Tempest" which is literally about the Titanic's sinking. It is almost in waltz time and is Dylan at his best storytelling. This song could have been on Desire next to "Hurricane" or "Joey."
Great album! I can't wait to blast the c.d. on my stereo. Damn, I love when a great new album is released!
But soak up "Roll On John;" it is an emotional seven minute ride.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Sept 8, 2012 6:20:57 GMT -5
You know, it looks like TEMPEST will be yet another great new Dylan album that is well received by critics and fans. I have seen a few reviews and everyone gives it a full-scale high rating, be it 4 of 4 or 5 of 5.
I am happy for Bob Dylan, but again I am puzzled that Bob has achieved what Paul McCartney cannot. How in the world can it be that an old and crackly-voiced Dylan still manages to impress the world with his brand new albums each and every time, where Macca cannot? By all the strong reviews out there I'd say there is every chance that Dylan's album will AGAIN hit the #1 spot. Why can't Paul's albums?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2012 7:50:22 GMT -5
You know, it looks like TEMPEST will be yet another great new Dylan album that is well received by critics and fans. I have seen a few reviews and everyone gives it a full-scale high rating, be it 4 of 4 or 5 of 5. I am happy for Bob Dylan, but again I am puzzled that Bob has achieved what Paul McCartney cannot. How in the world can it be that an old and crackly-voiced Dylan still manages to impress the world with his brand new albums each and every time, where Macca cannot? By all the strong reviews out there I'd say there is every chance that Dylan's album will AGAIN hit the #1 spot. Why can't Paul's albums? Lyric quality....
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 8, 2012 9:44:03 GMT -5
You know, it looks like TEMPEST will be yet another great new Dylan album that is well received by critics and fans. I have seen a few reviews and everyone gives it a full-scale high rating, be it 4 of 4 or 5 of 5. I am happy for Bob Dylan, but again I am puzzled that Bob has achieved what Paul McCartney cannot. How in the world can it be that an old and crackly-voiced Dylan still manages to impress the world with his brand new albums each and every time, where Macca cannot? By all the strong reviews out there I'd say there is every chance that Dylan's album will AGAIN hit the #1 spot. Why can't Paul's albums? Joe, I think I've seen it advertised on vinyl but it is over an hour long! On "Roll On John" it thrilled me to hear Dylan mention by name The Quarrymen(or The Quarry Men as also spelled sometimes) as that is among the type of music Dylan loved. I remember reading a RS Dylan interview in 1985 and he was asked about John Cougar Mellencamp's popular Scarecrow album and Dylan gently put down the song "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to '60s Rock)" saying it wasn't all true, good music was coming from elsewhere too but then said his favorite song on the whole album was "Grandma's Theme" (traditional) sung by Mellencamp's grandmother Laura right before "Small Town!" Dylan loved that less than 60 second folk song!
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Sept 9, 2012 16:00:11 GMT -5
I heard that Dylan's new vinyl LP was released ahead of street date at a record store about a half hour from my house. So I took a drive there this morning and got there about 2 minutes after they opened. When I went to the counter to ask the sales clerk about the album, I saw an older gent had a vinyl copy on the desk which he was paying for. The clerk told me "sorry, this one was the last one -- but we'll be getting more in on Tuesday". If I had gotten there one minute earlier I would have been the one to snag that last copy. But I mean really -- I am just amazed at Bob Dylan's continuing prominence in 2012. I never thought I would say it, but Dylan is bigger even than The Beatles (or Paul and Ringo, anyway).
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2012 6:53:29 GMT -5
A review from cduniverse...
BOB DYLAN - Tempest (2012)
01. Duquesne Whistle 02. Soon After Midnight 03. Narrow Road 04. Long And Wasted Years 05. Pay In Blood 06. Scarlet Town 07. Early Roman Kings 08. Tin Angel 09. Tempest 10. Roll On John
Tempest, Bob Dylan's 35th album, continues to employ blues, country, folk, and ragged rockabilly to carry his songs. Unlike many of his recent recordings, however, he's largely left 1930s and early-'40s pop out of the mix here. Themes on Tempest are generally dark, rife with violence and tragedy -- including the title track, a 14-minute, 45-verse retelling of the Titanic saga. Also included are "Roll On John," a tribute to John Lennon, a roadhouse blues rave-up in "Early Roman Kings," and a nine-minute ballad entitled "Tin Angel." Dylan employed his road band and guest David Hidalgo from Los Lobos in the studio.
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Post by mikev on Sept 10, 2012 7:28:06 GMT -5
Makes me drool over visions of Dylan actually touring with the entire Los Lobos backing him.
If any group in North America could replace "The Band"- it would be Los Lobos.
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Post by John S. Damm on Sept 10, 2012 10:34:19 GMT -5
"Shine your light, move it on, you burn so bright, roll on John!" Bob Dylan 2012
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 9, 2012 13:48:27 GMT -5
People forget that Bob Dylan, since he first came on the scene, has been frequently accused lifting tunes and lyrics from here, there, and everywhere. It's not something to take note of in some musical circles. In the circles that Dylan emerged from in the early 60s (Minneapolis Dinkytown, New York's urban-folk scene), re-making old tunes was the norm, not the exception. Writing your own songs and taking credit for them (as if they were totally original) was not looked on as a good thing. That's because they didn't have the talent to write a truly original song! If they did, they damn well should take credit for it. What about when they remade old tunes and put their names on the credits which happens more than them acknowledging its a cover. How does Dylan handle it on this new album?
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 9, 2012 13:58:45 GMT -5
As much as I like Dylan, I have to admit that I was little irked when I read that in the magazine. I think there are several others that are still in the game - and hitting. There are. I also thought that line might draw out our recently reclusive RTP! ;D What a load of crap that magazine is passing off as truth. Its the same bull that comes from all the mainstream rock press. Dylan is cool so you can praise him but McCartney in not cool so don't get caught praising him or you will be deemed "not cool' either. The veins in my upper body are throbbing right now. I'm going to need a diuretic, a colonic, Lopressor, chelation therapy and a stiff drink after this. There is more to come.
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 9, 2012 14:21:02 GMT -5
You know, it looks like TEMPEST will be yet another great new Dylan album that is well received by critics and fans. I have seen a few reviews and everyone gives it a full-scale high rating, be it 4 of 4 or 5 of 5. I am happy for Bob Dylan, but again I am puzzled that Bob has achieved what Paul McCartney cannot. How in the world can it be that an old and crackly-voiced Dylan still manages to impress the world with his brand new albums each and every time, where Macca cannot? By all the strong reviews out there I'd say there is every chance that Dylan's album will AGAIN hit the #1 spot. Why can't Paul's albums? Well you were wrong about the No. 1 for Dylan. As good as the album is it only made No. 3 which helps me prove my point. And I don't accept your premise at all. Paul McCartney has achieved as much or more than Dylan in his later years. He has been very impressive as of late with Memory, Chaos, Electric Arguments, Run Devil Run, Flaming Pie and even with his latest Kisses. As I said, Dylan got to #3 with this one. Paul got to #6 with Kisses as I recall. Not a bad showing considering the "uncool" factor. Chaos got to #5 and Memory Almost Full #3 in additon to Wingspan and Flaming Pie both #2. (If my memory is off, don't hate on me). Often it can be a matter of timing as to whether an albums maked the top spot. The sales needed to do so vary significantly from week to week. Who says an album that makes #3 is more relevant in any way than one that hits #2 or No. 1? Paul has had positive reviews lately even from the anachronistic, antediluvian, antiquated, archaic, behind the times, obsolete rock press who have started to come along lately. And it doesn't have to do with Dylan's "superior" songwriting as some have suggested. It was Dylan who recently praised Paul. Now I am being overtaken by agitation, anger, frenzy, fury, ire, passion, rampage, raving rage and a some wrath. Time to alert my physician.
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 9, 2012 14:25:51 GMT -5
Dylan's song about John is very good, though of course, they were hardly friends.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 9, 2012 18:26:59 GMT -5
You know, it looks like TEMPEST will be yet another great new Dylan album that is well received by critics and fans. I have seen a few reviews and everyone gives it a full-scale high rating, be it 4 of 4 or 5 of 5. I am happy for Bob Dylan, but again I am puzzled that Bob has achieved what Paul McCartney cannot. How in the world can it be that an old and crackly-voiced Dylan still manages to impress the world with his brand new albums each and every time, where Macca cannot? By all the strong reviews out there I'd say there is every chance that Dylan's album will AGAIN hit the #1 spot. Why can't Paul's albums? Well you were wrong about the No. 1 for Dylan. As good as the album is it only made No. 3 which helps me prove my point. And I don't accept your premise at all. Paul McCartney has achieved as much or more than Dylan in his later years. He has been very impressive as of late with Memory, Chaos, Electric Arguments, Run Devil Run, Flaming Pie and even with his latest Kisses. As I said, Dylan got to #3 with this one. Paul got to #6 with Kisses as I recall. Not a bad showing considering the "uncool" factor. Chaos got to #5 and Memory Almost Full #3 in additon to Wingspan and Flaming Pie both #2. (If my memory is off, don't hate on me). Often it can be a matter of timing as to whether an albums maked the top spot. The sales needed to do so vary significantly from week to week. Who says an album that makes #3 is more relevant in any way than one that hits #2 or No. 1? Paul has had positive reviews lately even from the anachronistic, antediluvian, antiquated, archaic, behind the times, obsolete rock press who have started to come along lately. And it doesn't have to do with Dylan's "superior" songwriting as some have suggested. It was Dylan who recently praised Paul. Now I am being overtaken by agitation, anger, frenzy, fury, ire, passion, rampage, raving rage and a some wrath. Time to alert my physician. RTP -- there is nothing I'd like more than to see Paul get a #1 album. But I'm still wondering why Dylan has done so but Paul's never makes it. What puzzles me is that I would think Macca's music is so much more accessible to a wide range audience than Dylan's is. You say you don't accept my premise, but is that at all surprising on your part? Honestly, RTP, you very seldom are objective about Paul and never think outside the box about him.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 9, 2012 18:35:32 GMT -5
I gave my "Thumbs Down" on ROLL ON, JOHN in another thread somewhere which was dedicated to the entire TEMPEST album. I think it's a lazy attempt with Dylan relying too often on name checking Lennon songs, or mentioning "Beatle Buzz Terms" ("Quarrymen" - check; "Hamburg" - check). I don't think he really says anything interesting. I would say the refrain featuring the song's title is a little touching, but that's about it.
The TEMPEST album has 10 songs on it, and I have already come to love the first 6 . My very favorites are DUQUESNE WHISTLE, PAY IN BLOOD, NARROW WAY, and SOON AFTER MIDNIGHT.
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