Well...

I'm certainly a fan of the great writers of bygone times...
The Gershwins..Cole Porter...my own personal hero, Irving Berlin.

But....I really think history will have a place for Bob Dylan while the likes of Andrew Lloyd (never had an original thought) Webber will rate but a footnote.
Just my opinion...but...consider this.

I got into the performing end of show business over 40 years ago.
Among the first songs I sang for pay were some very early Dylan songs.
Last Saturday night, I was singing at a very expensive wedding for two very rich young kids.
Their first dance was "Forever Young"...a Bob Dylan song.
Throughout the various stages of my career one of the constants has been the presence of Bob Dylan songs.

I think his work ranges from the silly and playful to the exquisite, with layers of meanings in the lyrics.
One of Bobs overlooked abilities is his wonderful sense of rhythmic flow..dropping those notes in just the right place...it's one of the things that make, for me at least, his near missing the right notes palatable.

I love his singing..what can I say ?

I stopped playing songs backwards to find hidden meanings a very long time ago, but Dylans words leave me satisfied.

So...is it poetry ?...sometimes, yes, I think it is.
But, more important..does it work ?

Yes..for me, almost every time.

I enjoyed Bob Dylan when I first heard him, on a tinny little record player at a party after a gig about 40 years ago.

This morning I listened to Blood on the Tracks in my car as I was getting cat food.
I enjoyed the listen today as well..

The other night we were playing some music by The Band and did a couple of Dylan songs that the Band recorded
That was fun too...

I think 'Ol Bob has done all right for himself, and if I ever get to meet him, I'll say thanks.

So...Poetry ?...Heck...I don't know enough about poetry to make an educated comment...but..I do know a little about lyrics...and yes..yes I think he is a great lyricist.(and composer to boot)

Bob Young

[This message has been edited by bob young (edited 10-12-2004).]