Online Resources
Slow
Train Coming
By Bill Parr
This site is dedicated to Christian themes in Dylan's lyricism, with a
touch of existentialism and nihilism here and there. Parr notes passages
in several songs, refers them to Bible passages and editorializes a little.
Christianity, it turns out, has always been present in his work through
references and metaphors. Christianity grew stronger and stronger in his
lyrics throughout his religious period in the late '70s and early '80s,
peaking with the albums "Slow Train Coming" and "Saved."
This site also gives an idea of what helped drive him to the rock of
salvation. There's a long passage on Dylan's parallels with the German
philosopher Neitzche, emphasizing anxiety, dread and uncertainty. Dylan's
not necessarily an academician, though. He DID drop out of the University
of Minnesota before beginning his singing career, restless and bored with
books. Like a great mind, his is naturally connected to themes of mortality
and humanity. In this vein, Dylan's early work is dark and moody. It
warns of tyranny, scolds politicians and relays a deep dread for the fate
of humanity. These feelings wear on the soul, which eventually turns somewhere
holy for answers, maybe to Christianity.
Bringing It All Back Home
Page
By John Howells
I found pretty much every single fact on Bob Dylan's life and music on
this site. There's a vast, exhaustive chronology that details almost EVERY
YEAR of his professional life. Talk about dedication. Howells also offers
current news, recent articles and related information for the truly obsessed.
The chronology ties life details together the way Robert Shelton does in
"No Direction Home." On this site you'll be able to browse events in Dylan's
life and tie them to the music of each period.
Roots of
Bob
By Seth Kulick
This page is an incredible resource if you want a nugget of history related
to any one of about three dozen Dylan classics. Quotes from biographers,
critics and Dylan himself really give the songs a personal feeling and
put the viewer in touch with the meaning behind them. There's stuff on
some of my absolute favorite songs, including:
-
"Hard Times in New York Town" — Penned from a traditional folk song,
it's a log of Dylan's early Greenwich Village days.
-
"Song to Woody" — A touching tune for his greatest inspiration,
it's a variant on the Guthrie classic "1913 Massacre."
-
"Girl of the North Country" — It's a song about love, both lost
and desired, inspired by the tune of "Scarborough Fair" and credited to
a certain woman. Dylan admits the song follows him — maybe even haunts
him — throughout his relationships.
Roots, Routes and
Ramblings
By Helfert Manfred
Manfred documents early folk influences like Odetta and country names like
Jimmie Rodgers. He talks about Dylan's visit to Woody Guthrie, who was
on his deathbed in New Jersey when the young folk singer called on him.
Dylan brought his guitar and sang Guthrie's own songs to his hero. There
are clips from interviews and articles that include the reliable words
of Dylan himself, folk counterpart Joan Baez and other acquaintances.
This site offers a plethora of perspectives and takes on the man born Robert
Zimmerman.
A Little Room to Spare
Again, my answers aren't definitive. They aren't the only ways to filter
understanding into Dylan's life and work. After all, so many of his songs
are intentionally vague, it's not surprising that he might not WANT anyone
to understand him. To me, there's little doubt that a searching, yearning
man addicted to truth and meaning experimented with whatever felt right
for each time in his life. After a while, great minds grow restless and
dissatisfied. It's time to move on, time to get going. Who knows whether
he's found what he's looking for. From the deeply suggestive lyrics on
his latest album, the Grammy-winning "Time Out of Mind," he's still uncertain.
He's still weary and uncertain.
"It's not dark yet, but it's gettin' there."
From "Not Dark Yet"
Back to The Padded Cell
Back to Text and Sonic Resources
On to Bibliography
Site maintained by Paul F. Hobson
|