OT: Bob Dylan wins Nobel Prize in Literature

[August_West]

Rob Sheffield on Why Bob Dylan Deserves His Nobel Prize

 

[bags27]

Yeah seeing Churchill on the list was a surprise to me.

BTW we went to the UK this summer and visited both Chartwell and the Churchill War Rooms/Churchill Museum. Pretty incredible, especially the War Rooms.

me, too, 2 years ago. felt the same.

 

[intlzncster]

Congrats to Zimmy, but it's probably the worst thing that could have happened to him. Prepare for a couple weeks worth of articles detailing the plagiarism claims against him.

I'd never actually heard that nickname. Googled it. Second result is Urban Dictionary - Zimmy:

When you see a hot girl, you call out 'zimmy', so that you can share the love around to your mates in code to help them get stiffies.

 

[bags27]

I'd never actually heard that nickname. Googled it. Second result is Urban Dictionary - Zimmy:

When you see a hot girl, you call out 'zimmy', so that you can share the love around to your mates in code to help them get stiffies.

He calls himself Zimmy in "Gotta Serve Somebody"

So much more stuff coming out: 3 celebratory articles in the NY Times; David Remnick on-line at the New Yorker.

 

[8893]

I'd never actually heard that nickname. Googled it. Second result is Urban Dictionary - Zimmy:

When you see a hot girl, you call out 'zimmy', so that you can share the love around to your mates in code to help them get stiffies.

I was introduced to it when he used it himself in "Gotta Serve Somebody"

 

[8893]

He calls himself Zimmy in "Gotta Serve Somebody"

So much more stuff coming out: 3 celebratory articles in the NY Times; David Remnick on-line at the New Yorker.

Funny, I was searching for a video link to post of the song, and the only one I can find is his live performance from the 1980 Grammy Awards, which, although great, omits that line (actually that whole section). His label appears to be very aggressive keeping his studio versions of most of his material off of youtube.

 

[Husky25]

I don't know much about Dylan other than he is a good song writer and musician, but has an awful singing voice. Most of the remakes to his songs are vastly superior to his own versions.

My sole purpose in this thread is to ask @8893 if his avatar is his handiwork and where can I get the stencil? I found one on-line, but it doesn't show a clear method of doing the outline of the husky head.

 

[8893]

I don't know much about Dylan other than he is a good song writer, and musician, but has an awful singing voice.

My sole purpose in this thread is to ask @8893 if his avatar is his handiwork and where can I get the stencil? I found one on-line, but it doesn't show a clear method of doing the outline of the husky head.

Came to me via UConn alumni email just today; it is not my handiwork, I just copied the image that was in the photo (but I did immediately forward the stencil to my wife and kids hoping that one of us does a jack-o-lantern of it):

http://uconnalumni.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1551/2016/10/pdf-husky-carve-simple.pdf

There is also this more advanced one:

http://uconnalumni.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1551/2016/10/pdf-husky-carve-adv.pdf

 

[Husky25]

Came to me via UConn alumni email just today; it is not my handiwork, I just copied the image that was in the photo (but I did immediately forward the stencil to my wife and kids hoping that one of us does a jack-o-lantern of it):

http://uconnalumni.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1551/2016/10/pdf-husky-carve-simple.pdf

I am so doing this. I've been doing this type of carving going on 9 years. I may be speaking too soon, but that only looks like a 2 or 3 dot difficulty.

 

[bags27]

I don't know much about Dylan other than he is a good song writer and musician, but has an awful singing voice. Most of the remakes to his songs are vastly superior to his own versions.

Dylan had a famously beautiful singing voice as a kid (attracted attention throughout his hometown), but then affected a bluesy-folksy twang. Listen to "Lay Lady Lay" to hear a shockingly different voice (more of the Memphis sound). Until recently, when his voice predictably suffered from old age and overuse, he could pretty much sing any way he wanted. But it's the "non-beautiful" voice that helps him intentionally be edgy. Just like when Emily Dickinson (to whom he's sometimes compared) breaks down the normal syntax of poetry.

 

[8893]

Dylan had a famously beautiful singing voice as a kid (attracted attention throughout his hometown), but then affected a bluesy-folksy twang. Listen to "Lay Lady Lay" to hear a shockingly different voice (more of the Memphis sound). Until recently, when his voice predictably suffered from old age and overuse, he could pretty much sing any way he wanted. But it's the "non-beautiful" voice that helps him intentionally be edgy. Just like when Emily Dickinson (to whom he's sometimes compared) breaks down the normal syntax of poetry.

IIRC he stopped smoking when recording Nashville Skyline, which was also thought to have a mellowing effect on his voice. What a great album in any event. "To Be Alone With You" is a favorite, along with "Country Pie." Also the crooners, "Tell Me That It Isn't True" and "I Threw It All Away."

 

[Husky25]

The harder one looks like the avatar.

I may try combining the two. Cut out the facial features then scrap the outline.

 

[intlzncster]

Came to me via UConn alumni email just today; it is not my handiwork, I just copied the image that was in the photo

Yah, that avatar is sweet. I won't be changing mine, unless KO decides to leave, but that one is aces.

I even like that it's off-center. I wouldn't 'fix' that.

 

[CPD016]

Big fan of early Dylan - later Dylan not so much. Recently gave away all my Dylan "stuff" to a friend whose children are obsessed with him. If I need my Dylan "fix" there is always UTube. My favorite line of his comes from " All along the watchtower" ( you can find your own meaning to many of his lyrics - this one to me is very powerful ) TWO RIDERS WERE APPROACHING AND THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL

 

[Kibitzer]

I was thrilled to see Bob Dylan be honored as a Nobel Laureate. The tributes are now flowing, supplementing his Pulitzer Prize, Kennedy Center Honors and Presidential Medal of Freedom.

And his award got me to thinking.

Dylan was honored as a poet/lyricist. The names of three poets worthy of consideration leaped to mind: Walt Whitman, Emily Dickenson, and Carl Sandburg.

There is also America's iconic lyricist, Oscar Hammerstein. Consider the enriching and often inspirational verses that flowed from his fertile imagination: "Showboat," "Oklahoma," "Carousel," "South Pacific," nd "Sound of Music."

My thoughts drifted to the trifecta of 20th century talent from Ireland. Arguably the greatest poet (William Butler Yeats), greatest playwright (George Bernard Shaw), and greatest novelist (James Joyce). [Be reminded, I said arguably, so have at it.]​

 

[Intpseeker]

Could be worth a Nobel by itself:

I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment
I could be you

Yes, I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
You’d know what a drag it is
To see you

 

[MilfordHusky]

The Nobel Laureate rocked last night. He was more energetic than the prior week and played about 10 minutes longer. Then the Stones played until just before the midnight curfew and fireworks. They were really, really, really good.

 

[bags27]

This is somewhat skewed because some of these awards go only to an American or someone in the English speaking world, but:

Bob Dylan is the only person ever to win: a Nobel, an Academy Award, a Pulitzer, and a Grammy (throw in the Kennedy Center if you want, but that's outrageously manipulated and political).

 

[8893]

Springsteen on Dylan » The Official Bruce Springsteen Website

 

[8893]

Oh my name it is nothin’
My age it means less
The country I come from
Is called the Midwest
I’s taught and brought up there
The laws to abide
And that the land that I live in
Has God on its side

Oh the history books tell it
They tell it so well
The cavalries charged
The Indians fell
The cavalries charged
The Indians died
Oh the country was young
With God on its side

Oh the Spanish-American
War had its day
And the Civil War too
Was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes
l’s made to memorize
With guns in their hands
And God on their side

Oh the First World War, boys
It closed out its fate
The reason for fighting
I never got straight
But I learned to accept it
Accept it with pride
For you don’t count the dead
When God’s on your side

When the Second World War
Came to an end
We forgave the Germans
And we were friends
Though they murdered six million
In the ovens they fried
The Germans now too
Have God on their side

I’ve learned to hate Russians
All through my whole life
If another war starts
It’s them we must fight
To hate them and fear them
To run and to hide
And accept it all bravely
With God on my side

But now we got weapons
Of the chemical dust
If fire them we’re forced to
Then fire them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God’s on your side

Through many dark hour
I’ve been thinkin’ about this
That
Was betrayed by a kiss
But I can’t think for you
You’ll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side

So now as I’m leavin’
I’m weary as Hell
The confusion I’m feelin’
Ain’t no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
If God’s on our side
He’ll stop the next war

 

[8893]

First rap song?

 

[bags27]

First rap song?

Often called that, but really rap-style is much older. Even Chuck Berry had the cadence, if not the same type of rhyming pattern, IMO. Dylan is our consummate genius--not for inventing anything, but in perfecting much (like Plato).

 

[jimazee]

Go 'way from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I will only let your down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you an' more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Go melt back in the night
Everything inside is made of stone
There's nothing in here moving
An' anyway I'm not alone
You say you're looking for someone
Who'll pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
An' to come each time you call
A lover for your life an' nothing more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Written by Bob Dylan • Copyright © Bob Dylan Music Co.

 

[wire chief]

Springsteen on Dylan » The Official Bruce Springsteen Website

powerful. with the recipient most deserving.

 

[wire chief]

Go 'way from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I will only let your down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you an' more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Go melt back in the night
Everything inside is made of stone
There's nothing in here moving
An' anyway I'm not alone
You say you're looking for someone
Who'll pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
An' to come each time you call
A lover for your life an' nothing more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe

Written by Bob Dylan • Copyright © Bob Dylan Music Co.

In the Before the Flood live album, he shakes us up grandly with an upbeat version.

bob dylan before the flood album It ain't me babe - Bing video

 

[Conndog]

Sorry, but I don't agree with Dylan getting this award. Is he one of the greatest song writers of all time? Yes, without question. But, even if you believe he is the greatest song writer ever, comparing song lyrics to novels and books is ludicrous. Where is character development, layers of plot with twists and turns, or rich illustrations of history or location?

I love lots of his songs, but come on, they aren't on the level of the world's great literature. Not trying to blame or demean Dylan, he's great, but saying that song lyrics are equivalent to literature is like saying finger painting is equivalent to a Van Gogh work.

 

[bags27]

Sorry, but I don't agree with Dylan getting this award. Is he one of the greatest song writers of all time? Yes, without question. But, even if you believe he is the greatest song writer ever, comparing song lyrics to novels and books is ludicrous. Where is character development, layers of plot with twists and turns, or rich illustrations of history or location? I love lots of his songs, but come on, they aren't on the level of the world's great literature. Not trying to blame or demean Dylan, he's great, but saying that song lyrics are equivalent to literature is like saying finger painting is equivalent to a Van Gogh work.

I appreciate your point, but, to be contrarian, I think a lot of his songs have precisely that. An easy example is "Hurricane", or "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol" or "God on their side" (lyrics above). I think the Nobel committee made its statement last year when it awarded the Literature Prize to Svetlana Alexievich, whose works are oral histories. Clearly, the committee is attempting to understand literary production in a way that departs from its tradition. Which is only natural, I think, when we see what's happened with the electronic media and the way that has transformed communication.

 

[itsasport]

I seldom agree with the New York Times, but they said that awarding the prize to Dylon, who is already famous, has the effect of denying justifiable recognition to a great writer or poet who will now pass unnoticed to the general public.

The article said that the decision has caused a great furor in the creative community, who consider the choice to be a farce..

First of all, it is common knowledge that Dylan took much of his prose from others.. It is apparently not that uncommon in his field and considered an homage. It was done in classical music, but always with an attribution to the original.

To me, it is plagiarism which in itself should disqualify him from receiving an award of any kind.

Even without that, Dylon's work is, at best, enjoyable pop poetry. The difference between his work and great poetry is like comparing UConn and Tennessee women's basketball.

All really great poets and prose writers receive many substantial awards on the way to getting a Nobel. Dylan has , to my knowledge, received none of them and had no standing in the literary community.

I think that this award will do tremendous damage to the Nobel Committee and the standing of the Nobel Prize itself.

 

[Husky25]

I seldom agree with the New York Times, but they said that awarding the prize to Dylon, who is already famous, has the effect of denying justifiable recognition to a great writer or poet who will now pass unnoticed to the general public..

As someone who doesn't care one way or they other, Was the NYT okay with President Obama getting the prize, or does "Leader of the Free World" not come with the requisite amount of recognition?

 

[8893]

I seldom agree with the New York Times, but they said that awarding the prize to Dylon, who is already famous, has the effect of denying justifiable recognition to a great writer or poet who will now pass unnoticed to the general public.

***

Even without that, Dylon's work is, at best, enjoyable pop poetry. The difference between his work and great poetry is like comparing UConn and Tennessee women's basketball.

Not famous enough for you to know how to spell his name.

Where was the outrage when Winston Churchill won the award?