poptone

I'm speechless. It's such a beautiful film I don't even know what to say about it, really. I've been up all night watching (with frequent breaks to pop in the albums and listen to select songs - the snippets in music documentaries are never enough!), and I could easily put it right back in and see it again. The film is about so much more than just one man's life and body of work. It's a snapshot of a time when music *really* mattered. Not that it doesn't now, but there was something different about then; the concept of "glory days" isn't all nostalgia and hazy, glossed-over memories. Or maybe I'm just jelly I wasn't at Newport '63 (or the later, more infamous one, for that matter). The interview where Ginsberg nearly breaks down, talking about the "torch being passed" is absolutely heartrending. The one section towards the beginning of the film, however, when they're getting reactions from concert-goers on the English leg of his '66 tour is priceless, though. "I didn't come to just see some pop group," one 'fan' complains. To which one of the faithful in line next to him replies, "Not many pop groups like that out there, are there?"

The infamous Newport '65 footage is just incredible. Especially when he comes back out alone to do "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue." One of the best kiss-off songs ever used to perfect effect. That sort of musical rebellion just isn't really possible any more, I think. The closest we've come to it in this generation would be Radiohead turning their back on "rock" for Kid A/Amnesiac. But thanks to Dylan, by now music fans are used to rock artists changing directions and styles - it's almost expected. So while there certainly were some foolish purists who cried, "Where's the Johnny Greenwood guitar solos?!" most people were open to it, I think. And when I saw them live on that tour, there certainly wasn't any booing going down. And that's the reason there'll never be another Bob Dylan - it's just not possible to polarize the fans that way now. You can annoint Springsteens, Costellos and Obersts the "new Dylan" all you want, but outside of a vague social conciousness and an acoustic guitar, that's all you've got. Myths and legends don't come along all that often, and really, perhaps that's for the best - that's why they're so unique.

It definitely ends much too soon, though (3 1/2 hours? Please!). I want to see him bumming with the Band down in the basement at Woodstock. I want Blood on the Tracks and Desire heartbreak. I want religious redemption, Rolling Thunder Revues and the Never-Ending Tour. Maybe I ask for too much. For now, I'll just take Dylan's advice himself and "Play it fuckin' loud!"

I wish Scorsese would get involved in more music-themed projects. Nearly every single one he's done (his work on Woodstock, The Last Waltz, PBS' Blues series, etc.) has been absolutely phenomenal. It's so obvious the man has a passion for the stories he's telling, and more importantly, the music that fuels them.

Bob Dylan - "Blowin' In The Wind"
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.