Bob Dylan - new album just out on Tidal - Rough and Rowdy Ways

I am not too impressed with Bob's raspy, nasal recitations.  He doesn't sing much anymore.  IMHO, he would be better off finding a singer if he still wants to play in a rock band.  I doubt he will give up that much control, though.  I give his albums a listen nowdays, but I'm not likely to listen to them more than once or twice.

I doubt Dylan ever ‘wanted to play in a rock band’.

Then why has he been doing it ever since he joined up with The Hawks?

Gee, noone’s ever accused him of that before. 🙄

Yeah, but there comes a time when you have to say, enough! it's time to quit, Bob.  You're embarrassing yourself. That time is different for everyone, but he’s reached it for me.

Rock music is an amalgamation of blues, country, folk, and even a little jazz sometimes, to keep it simple. A full all-encompassing description of what is rock ’n’ roll or rock would take more time than I have left on this earth. Rock became the term used to describe rock ’n’ roll as it diversified from its 50s roots during the 60s, but either term is still used to describe the music made for young people (and now old people) from the 50s on.

So if the Hawks, later the Band, or any of Bob’s bands since then are not rock bands, what are they? When I used to go record shopping they were always in the Rock section and I’m sure that’s where you’ll find The Band’s and Bob’s music on Amazon or Ebay.  And that’s probably where most people who organize their music collections by genre have them. While that category may not be perfect, it’s the most practical. But, if anyone wants to explain why they are not rock, I’d be happy to read it and learn.

But no, I don’t think he started writing to be in a ‘rock band’.

I don't either.  I think he started writing to emulate his hero, Woody Guthrie.

Enjoy the new album!  I think I've listened to it about as much as I'm going to.

No, this all started from you making the statement, ‘if he (Dylan) wants to be in a rock band....’ and implying his current effort doesn’t meet the classification of a being in a ‘rock band’,

Sorry, but that’s not what I said. I was saying that Bob’s singing voice had deteriorated to the point where, if he wanted to continue playing in a rock band, he should get someone else to sing. You then said that Bob has never wanted to play in a rock band.

I would much rather see Bob write poetry, or prose, or just become a treasured songwriter. In general, I prefer to see people and artists age gracefully. To me rock is a young person’s game.

There are exceptions, of course. Rodney Crowell has done his best work since the turn of the century with, "The Houston Kid" in 2001, "Fate’s Right Hand" in 2003, and, "Close Ties" in 2017. Those three albums rock hard and are much better than anything Dylan has done in a long time. Rodney will turn 70 this August.  He has other very good albums out in that time frame, but those three stand out for me.

Ray Wylie Hubbard’s first album came out in 1975, but he has done a string of really good albums between 1992 and the present. Ray Wylie will turn 74 later this year. He is beginning to show signs of becoming a caricature of himself, though.

I am with Grace Slick on this topic. Watching a bunch of old geezers trying to play rock is embarrassing. When your voice is gone, mentor someone who can still sing.

@bdp24,

I agree with you that the rockabilly edge in rock music faded in the 60’s, but it never disappeared. Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins continued to play their music all through the late 50s and 60s, except when they were in the hospital. The Beatles covered some of Carl’s music and George was a big fan of his.  

You can find compilations of all the rockabilly from the 50s and 60s you want.

Then there was the Allman Brothers and the rise of southern rock, which had definite country influences. The Byrds did country music. Linda Ronstadt covered Hank Williams. Creedence had country influences big time.

I think what happened was the British bands weren’t able to do country as well as they adapted blues and R&B, and British bands were a big part of 60s rock.

The Band were unique. No doubt about that, but I don’t think they were the only rock band with country roots showing.

@bdp24 ,

"The Houston Kid" is definitely a classic album and Rodney has been on an artistic tear.  His songwriting has been at the highest level and the music he makes is as good as anyone is doing these days.  I hope people check him out.  I think they'd be glad they did.

Oh do tell me what young voice could improve Murder Most Foul ?

I can think of many, but I don’t think it would do any good to debate that, do you?

I hope the pasture pushers get a gentle nudge into a nursing home....

Lighten up. Is Bob above all criticism? Do we wish ill upon people with whom we don’t agree regarding Bob’s singing?  Bob has always been against worshipping idols. He’s always told people to think for themselves, that’s the message I’ve always gotten, anyway.