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In this fourth episode in our Series on the new book release Song & Dance Man: The Art of Bob Dylan (Vol.1) we talk to author Michael Gray about Chapter Four: Dylan's Use of Language: Toward Complexity. We discuss the changes on songs seen over the course of Dylan's first seven albums - from Bob Dylan through Blonde on Blonde.

The changes Bob Dylan went through from 1962 through 1966 are myriad, as everyone who has listened to the run of albums and live shows from that period knows. Dylan started playing primarily covers of folk songs and other ballads, and quickly became a distinctive songwriter (with early songs including the notable Song to Woody and Blowin In The Wind) who then grew and changed at perhaps the most incredible pace ever (literally) recorded.

** There is an Extended Version and Video of this episode available. Details below. **

**S02.14 is a Pt.2 - Another 40 Minutes - Discussing This Chapter - Available to FM+ Subscribers**

One of the many things going on in this period is a trend towards complexity of lyric. It's a long way from 'How Many Ears Can One Man Have' to 'Your Matchbook Songs and Your Gypsy Hymns'. Michael Gray talks about these changes, illustrates them, and highlights the most interesting of them.

As in the prior episodes, we'll listen to passages from the book and then Michael comments, adds new thoughts, and answers questions. The selections for Chapter Four are read in this episode by Anne Margaret Daniel, a writer and professor and author from Woodstock NY.

Song & Dance Man: The Art of Bob Dylan was first released in 1972 in the UK, and 1973 in the US. It was updated twice before, in the early 80's and late 90's - eventually growing to over 900 pages. It's been loved by Dylan Scholars and fans for all these decades - The Observer (London) Said: "A mammoth work of scholarship, often enthralling and never less than illuminating." After over a decade out of print, is is being re-issued in three volumes for it's 50th Anniversary - with the full text and extensive footnotes of the Third Edition reproduced in full.

You can order Vol. 1 of the re-release series on Amazon in print or on kindle.

ABOUT THE READER: ANNE MARGARET DANIEL (@VenetianBlonde)

Anne Margaret is a widely published writer on Bob Dylan - teaches at The New School in NYC and at Bard College. Anne has edited several volumes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, including the WW Norton edition of The Great Gatsby, and a complete collection of his short stories. Links to her writing and website.

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Featuring "Blues Walking With Billie" by Michael Kobrin

In this third episode in our Series on the new book release Song & Dance Man: The Art of Bob Dylan (Vol.1) we talk to author Michael Gray about Chapter Three: Dylan and Rock Music. We discuss the influence the early Rock & Roll performers had on Dylan. Things he heard over those distant AM Radio signals in his youth: Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley - among others.

As in the prior episodes, we'll listen to passages from the book and then Michael comments, adds new thoughts, and answers questions. The book selections for Chapter Two are read in this episode by Paul Metsa, a musician and author from Minnesota.

** There is an Extended Version and Video of this episode available. Details below. **

The Song & Dance Man book was first released in 1972 in the UK, and 1973 in the US. It was updated twice before, in the early 80's and late 90's - eventually growing to over 900 pages. It's been loved by Dylan Scholars and fans for all these decades - The Observer (London) Said: "A mammoth work of scholarship, often enthralling and never less than illuminating." After over a decade out of print, is is being re-issued in three volumes for it's 50th Anniversary - with the full text and extensive footnotes of the Third Edition reproduced in full.

You can order Vol. 1 of the re-release series on Amazon in print or on kindle.

ABOUT PAUL METSA

Huffington Post called Paul Metsa “the other great folksinger from Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range.” He is a critically acclaimed songwriter, winner of 7 MN Music Awards, has 12 original recording projects, and has performed over 5,000 shows. He is also an author, of 3 books including being the co-author of Blood in the Tracks (The Minnesota Musicians Behind Dylan’s Masterpiece) on the UofMN Press imprint  out on 9/12/23

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In this second episode in our Series on the new Song & Dance Man: The Art of Bob Dylan (Vol.1) we talk to author Michael Gray about Chapter Two: Dylan and The Literary Tradition. We talk about the influence both classical english writers as well as both early and modern American writers had on Dylan, and what he came to do with that influence.

** There is an Extended Version of this episode available to FM+ Members. Details below. **

As in the prior episode, we'll listen to passages from the book and then Michael comments, adds new thoughts, and answers questions. The book selections for Chapter Two are read in this episode by Allison Rapp, a music writer based in New York.

The Song & Dance Man book was first released in 1972 in the UK, and 1973 in the US. It was updated twice before, in the early 80's and late 90's - eventually growing to over 900 pages. It's been loved by Dylan Scholars and fans for all these decades - The Observer (London) Said: "A mammoth work of scholarship, often enthralling and never less than illuminating." After over a decade out of print, is is being re-issued in three volumes for it's 50th Anniversary - with the full text and extensive footnotes of the Third Edition reproduced in full.

You can order Vol. 1 of the re-release series on Amazon in print or on kindle.

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LINKS:

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EXTENDED EDITIONS & BONUS EPISODES

To get all Extended and Bonus Episodes of this and all FM Podcast Network shows:

As an FM+ or Premium member you get all Extended and Bonus Episodes from Dylan.FM, Pod Dylan, A Bob Dylan Primer & The Dylantantes - with more to come.

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FREE WEEKLY BOB DYLAN NEWSLETTER

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QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

Drop us a note at [email protected].

Well over 100 musicians have played in Dylan's band over the past 60 years, and Ray Padgett spoke to nearly 50 of them for his new book 'Pledging My Time - Conversations With Bob Dylan Band Members'. In this episode we talk with Ray about the book and all these interesting conversations.

Ray is responsible for the "Flagging Down The Double E's" newsletter (via Substack) which focuses usually on Live Dylan Concerts but drove the initial interviews that he conducted over the past two plus years which fill the book. Ray talked with famous names - like Jim Keltner and Ramblin' Jack Elliot - and lesser known players like Luther Rix and Bobby Valentino - but throughout he got great stories and information about the music, the process, and of course, the man.

** There is an extended version of this show available to FM+ and Premium subscribers - Details Below.**

** This episode is available in a Video Version for FM Premium Members.**

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EXTENDED EDITIONS & BONUS EPISODES

To get all Extended and Bonus Episodes of this and all FM Podcast Network shows:

As an FM+ or Premium member you get all Extended and Bonus Episodes from Dylan.FM, Pod Dylan, A Bob Dylan Primer & The Dylantantes with more to come.

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FREE WEEKLY BOB DYLAN NEWSLETTER

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The first serious book to analyze and critique the work of Bob Dylan was Michael Gray's Song & Dance Man: The Art of Bob Dylan - and it's back in print after over a decade, in a new 50th Anniversary Series. To celebrate we're doing our own series of interviews with Gray, walking through the book to create a kind of commentary track - reviewing and expanding on his thoughts. This episode is the first in that series.

The reviews that have been made of the previous three editions of the book are stellar: "Song & Dance Man III is probably the greatest book about the work of a single popular musician ever to have been published. ” said The London Review Bookshop, as one example. You can order Vol. 1 of the re-release series on Amazon in print or on kindle.

In this episode we talk about Chapter One, the Bob Dylan who arrived in New York City and immediately stood out, for his approach to folk music long before his songwriting abilities were on display. Michael talks of Dave Van Ronk and how Dylan related to the Blues greats he was able to meet. Later we talk of his first album and the songwriting abilities that seem to have arrived fully formed.

What you'll hear is why Michael Gray is the man The Bob Dylan Center invited to be the featured speaker at their First Anniversary, someone who can and does help all of us to better understand and more deeply enjoy the work of Bob Dylan.

This series will continue in future episodes of Dylan.FM. Subscribe so you don't miss any of them.

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THE EXTENDED EDITION

To listen to the Extended and Bonus Episodes of Dylan.FM shows you can either:

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FREE WEEKLY BOB DYLAN NEWSLETTER

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QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

Drop us a note at [email protected].