Thanks for the essay, Dan. I enjoyed it the way I enjoyed seeing the movie yesterday--getting a glimpse into the way someone else sees the world, or part of it. An alternate title for the movie could be lifted from a late poem by Robert Frost: "On how hard it is to keep from being king when it's in you and it's in the situation."
Thank you! A friend of mine also just emailed me about it. These are the typos that keep me up at night! Thanks for reading and for the note--I appreciate it. Happy New Year!
Great read. I too loved hearing about the movie from a "Bob snob" perspective. I did think the movie was a bit standard, though. I hoped for more, but in the end, it was basically a kind of musician biopic we've seen a lot of. It doesn't hold a candle to the kind of deconstructed biopic we saw with Rocketman (Elton John) and especially the brilliant Love and Mercy (about Brian Wilson). At any rate, it did not trample at all on the strange I'm Not There (2007), which I recommend but maybe not for an "entry-level Bob experience."
Yes--"I'm Not There" is great, but the viewer has to be at level 23 of The Bob Progression. I remember when I first saw it and tried to describe it to other people: difficult to do. Jim James singing "Going to Acapulco" is one of the best Bob tributes. Thanks for reading!
I’ve never heard of this, but will add it to my to be read list. I would read it sooner, but I made a solemn vow about my reading this year (details in my latest post). Thanks!
Very nicely done, Dan. Not sure you’ve had a chance to- or the inclination to wander through all my Dylan stuff or get the book “Bob Dylan: A Descriptive, Critical Discography” that I did for McFarland - three editions! But my guess is, you’d enjoy it. We’ve walked a similar path, I think. Congratulations on a nice post. Check out my site. Renaldo and Clara, Eat The Document, I’m Not There, etc. Nogo
Ha! So i learned early and late in life that i could never ever plumb the depths of Dylan. Nor could i call him friend as much as he tickled me at times and made me smile. Like an astronomer who gazes out into the universe and learns more about humanity from the limitation and particularity of his various viewing devices bob often pulled that outward gaze inward and told me more about myself than any message in his song. Getting there was the fun, the trip, the reward and still is the thrill from the enjoyment of listening.
"A Complete Unknown does many things well and is a great entry-level Bob experience as well as rich enough for lifelong listeners. "
Great article. I also wrote a review and also liked it. I know the movie wasn't 100% accurate but it would have been boring if it was.
Thanks! I just read and commented on yours. Happy New Year!
This is one of the best I’ve read on the film, and not only because of the shoutout to my piece - thanks!
Thanks a million--that means a lot to me!
I am not a fan of Dylan but will watch this because of your great post and enthusiasm
Thank you! Happy New Year!
Planning to see the movie next week, now I really can't wait! Thanks Dan!
Thank you for reading!
Thanks for the essay, Dan. I enjoyed it the way I enjoyed seeing the movie yesterday--getting a glimpse into the way someone else sees the world, or part of it. An alternate title for the movie could be lifted from a late poem by Robert Frost: "On how hard it is to keep from being king when it's in you and it's in the situation."
Great essay!
DCU… ha! What a thought. Love it.
Excellent write up! Excellent piece! I love your work. Can’t wait to see the movie— you’ve convinced me without spoiling anything.
Thank you!
Great article! However, it's Al Kooper with a K. He deserves 👏 it.
Thank you! A friend of mine also just emailed me about it. These are the typos that keep me up at night! Thanks for reading and for the note--I appreciate it. Happy New Year!
Great read. I too loved hearing about the movie from a "Bob snob" perspective. I did think the movie was a bit standard, though. I hoped for more, but in the end, it was basically a kind of musician biopic we've seen a lot of. It doesn't hold a candle to the kind of deconstructed biopic we saw with Rocketman (Elton John) and especially the brilliant Love and Mercy (about Brian Wilson). At any rate, it did not trample at all on the strange I'm Not There (2007), which I recommend but maybe not for an "entry-level Bob experience."
Yes--"I'm Not There" is great, but the viewer has to be at level 23 of The Bob Progression. I remember when I first saw it and tried to describe it to other people: difficult to do. Jim James singing "Going to Acapulco" is one of the best Bob tributes. Thanks for reading!
Given how widely A Complete Unknown has been acclaimed, I can’t imagine why there hasn’t been a widespread revival of interest in Scott Spencer’s sublime 1998 novel The Rich Man’s Table, whose protagonist tries to bond with a fervently elusive pop star father, extremely like Bob Dylan, who won’t acknowledge their kinship. https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/spencer-table.html?scp=40&sq=scott%20spencer&st=Search
I’ve never heard of this, but will add it to my to be read list. I would read it sooner, but I made a solemn vow about my reading this year (details in my latest post). Thanks!
I can’t imagine your failing to enjoy it, Daniel. And I’d be tickled pink tohave you as a subscriber to A Legend in His Own Minefield. :-)
Sorry, but it’s way too political.
Loved reading a Bob snob's take on the movie, have been looking for one!
Thank you!
👍🏽 thx for posting. Great review.
Thanks!
@Kyle Secor check this article out about the Bob Dylan film.
Just seen the film, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Very nicely done, Dan. Not sure you’ve had a chance to- or the inclination to wander through all my Dylan stuff or get the book “Bob Dylan: A Descriptive, Critical Discography” that I did for McFarland - three editions! But my guess is, you’d enjoy it. We’ve walked a similar path, I think. Congratulations on a nice post. Check out my site. Renaldo and Clara, Eat The Document, I’m Not There, etc. Nogo
Thanks—will do!
Ha! So i learned early and late in life that i could never ever plumb the depths of Dylan. Nor could i call him friend as much as he tickled me at times and made me smile. Like an astronomer who gazes out into the universe and learns more about humanity from the limitation and particularity of his various viewing devices bob often pulled that outward gaze inward and told me more about myself than any message in his song. Getting there was the fun, the trip, the reward and still is the thrill from the enjoyment of listening.
Yes--Bob teaches us about ourselves. I can't count the number of times I've thrown up my hands, for example, and quoted "Things Have Changed."