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Is Bob Dylan a Bloody Awful Singer, Or What?
by SeasideMan @ 28/05/08 - 09:46:12

post3

The answer, my friend, is Blowin’ in the Wind. I should really have recorded myself playing the song, but I didn’t think of it in time. Here is a cover of it by a woman on youtube who does it better than he does (but I wish she‘d pull a few less faces!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdXBMKSmFfE

That’s the general story. Dylan is an astonishing and incredibly important songwriter, but an awful performer: his songs are almost always done better by other people (rather like The Beatles in fact). Just look at this clip of him from 1986 accompanied by the really rather good Tom Petty band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvKJGZyGjDE

He’s terrible! The band would have been far better without him. He actually makes them sound bad.

The only reason I have for posting this is that the wind has finally died down. It’s after-effects can be seen in the picture above (click on it to make it bigger). The sand has piled up on the windward side of the groyne, whilst there is a gap on the leeward side.

Cheers, Tom.

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jenrayjenray pro
http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
28/05/08 @ 10:27

Went to see Dylan in Bournemouth a few years back and honestly couldn't hear a word of his songs...the acoustics in the hall were dreadful - have since been redone - and he croaked, but there were songs that his individual style of singing really suited and when his voice was less gravelly...like Tom Waits and Beefheart who aren't the best of vocalists, but they're delivery is so uniquely theirs, they're very special...Dylan, in my opinion, is the same...I do think though that the adoration given him is rather over the top...:) My hubby thinks he's the bee's knees...loves him and his songs...BTW the concert we went to was still pretty damned good...just tedious not being able to hear the words at the time...great big hugs...

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SeasideManSeasideMan pro
28/05/08 @ 12:18

I saw him live too, and he really was appalling. Out of time, out of tune and mumbling so much that even though the sound was clear and sharp, you still couldn't hear the words.

Those you mention are all unique, but I would say that both Beefheart and Waits are actually good singers, whereas Bob isn't.

But this is of course just my opinion.

Cheers, Tom.

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deleted user [Visitor]

28/05/08 @ 12:42

The sad thing was that when I saw him in 2003 he made it quite obvious that he didn't want to be there. He didn't front the band, but stood at the edge of the stage where he could not be seen. He sounded so bad that the songs were completely inaudible and he never addressed the fans. I saw this as a massive up yours to the 12000 other people who paid well over the odds, and in some cases flown in from overseas to see his "show".

Seeing Bob Dylan live for the first time, having had so much respect for him before was a bit like finding out that Father Christmas doesn't exist.

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SeasideManSeasideMan pro
28/05/08 @ 12:56

Your live experience of him sounds even worse than mine. I saw live at Glastonbury in the mid-90s (94 I think) and he was just awful. He may have been drunk, but whatever the explanation he was tuneless, out of time and mumbling. After about 3 songs, people left in droves. With so much else to see, a mumbling old man wasn't very high on my list of priorities.

His historical importance and great past song-writing abilities are undeniable, but I really do think that live performance is not his forte.

Cheers, Tom.

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deleted user [Visitor]

28/05/08 @ 12:54

I went to see Dylan a few years back at Newcastle arena and he was terrible. absolutly awful.

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SeasideManSeasideMan pro
28/05/08 @ 13:00

The same story seems to be coming from everyone on this. Perhaps he should just step away from the microphone and retire. He can't need the money, surely?

Cheers, Tom.

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deleted user [Visitor]

28/05/08 @ 13:06

the thing is, even though he was crap I'm still glad I saw him, he's a legend after all.

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SeasideManSeasideMan pro
28/05/08 @ 15:20

Yeah, I have to agree with you there. It's nice to be able to say you've seen him, even if he was rubbish.

Cheers, Tom.

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dennypoosdennypoos [Member]
01/06/08 @ 05:49

Tom, Tom-Tom-Tom. Dylan is on of those 'Marmite' performers.

The last time I saw him was with a good friend and muso. We had completely different views on exactly the same performance. Mine was coloured by the fact that I had just lost my job and hers was given after sleepimg with the guy of her dreams, (not myself I'm sorry to say).

Dylan of course plays on the Enigmatic motif that he has generated for himself in much the same way as his recent records have become grotesque parodies of a previous sublime talent. I'm thinking here of 'Time out of Mind' as a suitable example. Given rave reviews and the usual Tag: 'A return to form & The best since Blood on the Tracks' it was with one exception dire.

When you've said all that needs saying, you should perhaps shut up.

Dennis.

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SeasideManSeasideMan pro
01/06/08 @ 10:02

Sure, these things are always susceptible to viewpoint and mood. On the occasion I saw him, people were literally leaving in droves because he was so bad. I see him as a god amongst songwriters, an average performer on a good day and a terrible one on a bad day.

Cheers, Tom.

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