FabSwingers.com forum: Bob Dylan - a little bit overrated?

By *UNCHBOX OP Man
over a year ago

folkestone

I had a interesting discussion with a guy at work about Bob Dylan, who loves the guy so much he named his dog after him. Anyway no problem he really likes him, i have my favourite artists, but when i said i don't rate him very much, he went off on one, said i don't know anything about music, and that he is the best etc etc. Why do people get so upset when you don't agree with their judgement that their hero singer/film star/actor/footballer etc isn't all that?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

I don't rate him that highly either and have had similar arguments.

I appreciate that he broke ground. I appreciate some of the lyrics. I appreciate he comes out with some unexpected twists and turns musically.

BUT, I can't stand his voice.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Absolutely.

Some of his work is passable, but the total adoration of his adherents is unfathomable.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I think it's because when people love or feel passionate about something they take it as a personal attack when you don't agree.

I personally love Dylan. I think he is an amazing musician and songwriter but I can see why people don't like his voice.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *imiUKMan
over a year ago

Hereford

"Voice like sand and glue"

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *erbyDalesCplCouple
over a year ago

Derbyshire

I think he was better on the Magic Roundabout than in real life

(Though I still preferred Dougal)

Mr ddc

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

He's definitely not for me I'm afraid and I even struggle to understand the attraction to his songs

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sorry guy Pooch and I love Bob through the Christmas album was just a little to much even for us

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

He is a crap plumber, alegedly

talk to anyone who is passionate about anything and they get offended if you are not into it. people are weird.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oachman 9CoolMan
over a year ago

derby

knock knock knocking on heavens door..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Lay lady lay is the greatest love song ever.... shame Bob's 80 a day habit did little to improve his voice.

With Bob (for me) it's all about the lyric mastery, imagery and wit. He can't play a harmonica; scares a guitar; but he can tell a story, conjure an image. Like my Bob moments... they make me think.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *risky_MareWoman
over a year ago

...Up on the Downs

Great songs, can't stand his voice either.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Dylan, in his hayday, the man was a lyrical genius.

Ballad of Rubin Carter

Jack of Hearts

Subterranean Homesick Blues

It's Alright Ma

Gates of Eden

Musically, I can see why he's not to everyone's taste (though I love his early work with it's raw energy and sound).

But you know, if everyone like the same sort of music, chances are we'd all be stuck listening to Milli Vanilli.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Lay lady lay is the greatest love song ever.... shame Bob's 80 a day habit did little to improve his voice.

With Bob (for me) it's all about the lyric mastery, imagery and wit. He can't play a harmonica; scares a guitar; but he can tell a story, conjure an image. Like my Bob moments... they make me think."
A very good song

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

He's made an enormous number of albums and only a small proportion of the songs are good, a few being excellent. His voice was distinctive and I quite like how it sounded in his early days. It's beyond fucked now though. I always skip his Traveling Wilburys tracks.

Nell

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

I saw him a while ago at G'bury.

He played his new stuff, his voice was crappy and due to a rights dispute they didn't have the vid screens going. It was most disappointing.

Tony Bennett came on after and wiped the floor with him.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

He's ok, nothing special. I'd put in good street busker category.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *imiUKMan
over a year ago

Hereford

"Dylan, in his hayday, the man was a lyrical genius.

Ballad of Rubin Carter

Jack of Hearts

Subterranean Homesick Blues

It's Alright Ma

Gates of Eden

Musically, I can see why he's not to everyone's taste (though I love his early work with it's raw energy and sound).

But you know, if everyone like the same sort of music, chances are we'd all be stuck listening to Milli Vanilli. "

I like "Desolation Row"

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *its_n_piecesCouple
over a year ago

he showed up at a place where we were planting trees as part of a government work scheme in the 80's. they were making a film and they got us to build a fire on top of a cliff. they gave me and the other lads £20 cash each (a weeks money) for our trouble. for the rest of the afternoon we went to the pub in the village and the 4 of us spent it on getting rat arsed. after about 2 hours bob dylan and the director walked in. they bought us food, booze and played pool with us for hours. i think he's a stand up guy.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *hocko87Man
over a year ago

dublin

Luv his records but went to see him live d crapest concert ever . Use to listen to him on an 8 track stereo now a lot of u may ask what's an 8 track stereo . They were out years ago but did not last to long cos there was only 8 tracks on d cassesset n just went round n round .

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Best lyricist ever

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I wasn't a fan when I was younger but he has grown on me over the years

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"I had a interesting discussion with a guy at work about Bob Dylan, who loves the guy so much he named his dog after him. Anyway no problem he really likes him, i have my favourite artists, but when i said i don't rate him very much, he went off on one, said i don't know anything about music, and that he is the best etc etc. Why do people get so upset when you don't agree with their judgement that their hero singer/film star/actor/footballer etc isn't all that? "

They're bonkers?

PS I agree with you.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *vgloryholebs16TV/TS
over a year ago

Bristol.

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind....

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I like him.

I'm not a fan of polished synchronised over produced music.

Anyone who bends over while singing or says "one time" does my noggin in.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oward1978Man
over a year ago

Rotherham

Quite simply the greatest songwriter/lyricist that ever drew breath. Whatever anyone may think of him, love him or hate him, he will go down as one of the true greats. In my opinion THE greatest artist of the twentieth century. And all of it done on his own terms. His influence and his body of work is unparallelled. And he's still writing great songs and touring today. A true one off.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

"I don't rate him that highly either and have had similar arguments.

I appreciate that he broke ground. I appreciate some of the lyrics. I appreciate he comes out with some unexpected twists and turns musically.

BUT, I can't stand his voice.

that suits him up for myself also..

i just don't get the hype and some of his stuff is just a tiresome dirge..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *umourCouple
over a year ago

Rushden

"But you know, if everyone like the same sort of music, chances are we'd all be stuck listening to Milli Vanilli. "

Or maybe not................

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ildbillkidMan
over a year ago

where the road goes on forever

Blood on the tracks , desire, in my opinion are the best as far as his voice

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

So are you a fan of his or not?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

lay lady lay is a great song and he sings it well but on any other song his voice is terrible but fair doo's he very successful so many thousands must like him

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oward1978Man
over a year ago

Rotherham

So are you a fan of his or not?

As far as I'm concerned he is THE MAN. We are fortunate to live in his time.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

He is utterly fantastic, the unequivocal voice of the beat generation and his lyrics defined post-war Western culture.

Music would certainly not be the same today without him.

(His Christmas album is truly awful though)

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Well how do you judge an artist ?

The longevity of their career ?

In his case 55 years , so that ticks the box .

Their influence ?

Yep , another tick there .

Their work ?

48 albums , 58 singles , yep tick that .

The opinion of fellow artists ?

Well he's worked with and written songs for so many it has to be another tick .

So I can't say he's not one of the greatest musical artists ever .

A real legend

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Glad someone here appreciates,

Im my opinion one of his greatest albums is Bob Dylan - At Budokan with tracks I shall be released, Blowing in the wind & the two amazing tracks Forever Young & The times they are a changing.

Cannot wait until October when he plays live at Coachella playing along with Rolling stones on day one, Paul McCartney & Neil Young day two, and finishing day three with The Who then Roger waters.

counting the days.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

He's a legend of music & you can't deny that.

Yeah His voice isn't what it used to be; too much smoking, drinking good whiskey and singing live for so long puts strain on his voice & it's not what it used to be.

The guy changed the world with his music and is a true artist; not many singers can paint a beautiful picture in your mind with song and words.

He is still making great songs and is a rolling stone.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

""Voice like sand and glue"

That's on a good day.

Mrs is a big Dylan fan and we went to a live concert about 3 years ago when he was touring with Mark Knopfler (who wasn't much better BTW)

Listening to him sing really was painful and for me the best part of the gig was when he said goodnight.

That said I rate Dylan as one of the best song writers of his generation. He should just leave it to others to sing them.

Oh and at this point in life should retire gracefully.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

"Luv his records but went to see him live d crapest concert ever . Use to listen to him on an 8 track stereo now a lot of u may ask what's an 8 track stereo . They were out years ago but did not last to long cos there was only 8 tracks on d cassesset n just went round n round . "

Shhhhhhhhhh. Giving a lot of age away wyh that one LOL.

ooops me too

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *reygorCouple
over a year ago

birmingham

"Quite simply the greatest songwriter/lyricist that ever drew breath. Whatever anyone may think of him, love him or hate him, he will go down as one of the true greats. In my opinion THE greatest artist of the twentieth century. And all of it done on his own terms. His influence and his body of work is unparallelled. And he's still writing great songs and touring today. A true one off."
well writen think mybe you had to be there in the sixtees to see how he changed the singer songwriter jender his volume of work has been covered by so many different kind of artists think everybody knows a dylan song but not with dylan singing it my granchild told me how great adle to make you feel my love is.was stuned when i produced the dylan c.d. from years ago and played it .

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't get Dylan but his impact on modern music was massive

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

Has written some immense tunes for other people as well as himself, but I don't particularly like his voice.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *al2001Man
over a year ago

kildare

"I was so much older then,I'm younger than that now"

Dylan is a poet

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

His songs sound better when sung by other people.

Same with Neil Young, Richard Thompson, Billy Bragg, Cyndi Lauper...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *al2001Man
over a year ago

kildare

Neil young has a beautiful voice. IMO

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I saw him a while ago at G'bury.

He played his new stuff, his voice was crappy and due to a rights dispute they didn't have the vid screens going. It was most disappointing.

Tony Bennett came on after and wiped the floor with him.

"
we saw him at the hop farm festival and had the same vid screen issue there... I have never been a fan and so chose to watch him to see what all the fuss was about I soon realised why I did not like him. A god awful voice... Still at least when he goes I can say I saw him live..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

"Neil young has a beautiful voice. IMO "

Rockin' In The Free World

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCWAGpChSRI

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Very overrated,i only like hurricane the rest is mheyyy

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *raceytvcdTV/TS
over a year ago

mansfield

"Well how do you judge an artist ?

The longevity of their career ?

In his case 55 years , so that ticks the box .

Their influence ?

Yep , another tick there .

Their work ?

48 albums , 58 singles , yep tick that .

The opinion of fellow artists ?

Well he's worked with and written songs for so many it has to be another tick .

So I can't say he's not one of the greatest musical artists ever .

A real legend

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iss_Samantha_LovecockTV/TS
over a year ago

bmth /poole sometimes blandford

guess he felt like you were saying he had crap taste in music .. the ultimate insult for him

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ali 69Man
over a year ago

jersey

"I don't rate him that highly either and have had similar arguments.

I appreciate that he broke ground. I appreciate some of the lyrics. I appreciate he comes out with some unexpected twists and turns musically.

BUT, I can't stand his voice.

"
I totally agree ! Worst singing voice EVER ! Stephen Hawkins could beat him in karoke . Sounds like a depressed wasp .

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It would be a very dull world if we all had the same tastes as this site proves that point well actually.

As for Dylan a great songwriter but very average voice. He's hardly the only artist to possess an average voice and make a fortune from it though.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

He writes protest songs for those who don't want to protest, and love songs for those who've never been in love

Gimme Tom Waits any day of the week.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *al2001Man
over a year ago

kildare

A friend of mine spent over 15 years travelling around the world inspired to do so by Dylan's songs

Not a fan really but he does effect people

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *reygorCouple
over a year ago

birmingham

dont think i got fifteen years left but will play sing the great man till carnt anymore.history will show him a mozart .shakespere.of his time.mybe not all the folks who sung his songs.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Haven't read while thread , so probably broadly repeating other reply's .

But musicianship and songwriting is second to none where Dylan individually is concerned

Totally agree with who ever said people take an attack on their Hero's as a personal attack..our Hero's embody things we wish to so an attack in them is an attack on our own aspirations

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *aucy3Couple
over a year ago

glasgow

He was genius,opened a whole new world to all who followed.

Including the Beatles,

and the rolling Stones.

He changed music,in a brilliant way.

Very few,can say the same.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I cant wait to see him at Coachella, he and the rolling stones are opening on first night

day two Paul McCartney, Neil Young

day three; The Who, Roger Waters

will be a fantastic 3 day event and cannot wait to be there

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

""I was so much older then,I'm younger than that now"

Dylan is a poet"

Robert Zimmerman changed his name to Bob Dylan in tribute to Dylan Thomas.

That really is true BTW.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

"He writes protest songs for those who don't want to protest, and love songs for those who've never been in love

Gimme Tom Waits any day of the week."

Love Tom Waits songs but, a bit like Dylan, could never get my head around his singing voice.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ighting17thMan
over a year ago

Bodmin

Quite a few people are like that. Die Hard "Beatles" fans tend to be the worst! I'm a big fan of Eddie Cochran (as an example) and yet if I mention Eddie to a Beatles fan I know, they will NOT acknowledge the fact that if it wasn't for Eddie's UK tour ( which ended with the taxi crash that killed him), the Beatles (and probably many other bands/artists ) would probably not have got the break as that tour influenced absolutely everyone who saw a show ( George Harrison, Marc Bolan, etc ).

Everyone has their own taste, and whilst it's ok for someone to put down your favourite, it's never ok for you to retaliate, lol.

Using music as an example, I wouldn't cross the road to hear Elton John, but I can appreciate why some people do!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

Have bumped this thread because I have got him on now an he has written some awesome tunes

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread