I always look forward to Laura Barton's fortnightly Guardian column, 'Hail, Hail, Rock'n'Roll'. Today was a particularly fine comparison between Bob's, 'You're a Big Girl Now' and Paul Simon's 'Graceland' and their descriptions of Heartbreak. I think she really has a great way of talking about lyrics.
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A very interesting and well-written comparison of heartbreak in two very great albums.
Blood on the Tracks is my favourite album by Dylan and probably my favourite album of the seventies. The first side - as we used to view such things - is one of my favourite sides of any record. "Tangled Up in Blue", "Simple Twist of Fate, "You're a Big Girl Now", "Idiot Wind" - I couldn't choose between those first four songs, every one outstanding in its own way.
Paul Simon is another favourite and Graceland was, of course, a momentous album. "Under African Skies" is my chosen track but I always feel that it was a pity that it wasn't Miriam Makeba on that track with him. Does anyone know why? -
It's certainly up there among Bob's greats Lat - best is so hard to say. Pressed I'd probably stick for Highway 61 - Takes a train to laugh, Tom Thumb's Blues, Queen Jane, Desolation Row, Tombstone Blues etc - or the unique atmosphere of 'John Wesley Harding' - or that late joy that is 'Love and Theft' ( maybe my fave since 'Blood') - and I love Slow Train Coming cos I saw him in New Orleans on that tour (pure chance) - what a band, what a guy. Of course I love 'Blood on the Tracks' and that first side, though I have a huge soft spot for Lily Rosemary, one of his really great narrative songs.
I'm also keen on this tale of his from another era, another band...
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