leonardcohenforum.com

Rob
Welcome aboard the good ship 'F*ck Christmas'
We seem to get more passengers each year.

ta ken

Hi,

There is a review of "Christmas in the Heart" in the Oct. 29, 2009 issue of Rolling Stone.
The reviewer gave the album three stars. This is the heading: "Adjust expectations:
Dylan plays it straight for Christmas". I'm looking forward to hearing "Christmas in the
Heart." Some people hate Christmas. Others love it. Fewer are in-between. I appreciate
what it meaningfully contributes (beneficially, of course) to some people's lives and notice
that it rolls-around more quickly with each passing year. Btw, Christmas is one of those Seasons
where it is good to watch out for people who might need additional connection and support --
emotions can be amplified and people can be overlooked.

Haha! Bob Dylan was performing - video from Salina, Kansas.

http://babybluecafe.blogspot.com/2009/1 ... dylan.html

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Late Night at the Cafe: Debut of New Dylan

Looks like he's put his "Little Tramp" back into his trunk of tricks. I don't know who this is, but he's up to something. At first I thought I thought he might be channeling Leonard Cohen, but it's hard to tell what he's mixing with his Wheaties. This is indeed a Dylan I saw hinted at the Ripken ballpark this summer in Maryland, but nothing quite like this - he's like, performing.

Charlie Sexton is back in the band after a seven year absence. Whatever's going on, this is not the Dylan I've seen for the last five years. Fun - will be seeing him soon back in Fairfax.

Here's Cold Iron Bound from two days ago in Salina, Kansas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_jJUREfvvM

Posted by BabyBlue at 11:14 PM

I see an article on Woody Guthrie -On the trail of Bob Dylans ultimate hero in Dec Mojo magazine with one picture of him with 'fag in mouth' cutting a very Guthrie- like figure in NY, 1962

Shock horror! Sting's Christmas/Winter album is actually pretty good, being mostly solemn and contemplative (someone played it to me last night). It evokes the season in a much more traditional way, and surpisingly is on the Deutsche Gramophone label.

i recommend woody's son's movie (for anyone who hasn't seen it) : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice%27s_Restaurant - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8DtpdXZi0M
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sting's a good singer who's recorded several classic songs but i'm irritated by his public persona.

please don't imagine that i'm in any way envious because he's a millionaire with homes scattered across the globe

interview with sting in the london evening standard :

Sting: The X Factor kids are going nowhere

By Geordie Greig, Evening Standard Editor 11.11.09

I was an altar boy and considered being a priest,” says Sting, with a twinkle in his eye...

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/art ... nowhere.do
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whether sting decides to fulfill his childhood ambition by becoming a priest or not - there's no reason why he shouldn't record some duets with the Holy Father who will be topping my charts this festive season with his CD Alma Mater

http://www.amazon.com/Alma-Mater-Featur ... B002NPYQ14

This months edition of The big issue has a world exclusive interview with Dylan concerning this album, proceeds from UK sales will be going to Crisis UK. I am debating whether to buy the album it has had good reviews on Amazon.

Wendy

From what I've heard of Dylan's album, it has strong comedy value, but appears to have been sincerely meant. You can play it, have a laugh, and good causes will benefit. So, everyone wins!

for anyone developing a taste for offbeat christmas music - this might be of interest :

Yes it’s a Damaged Goods Christmas Compilation featuring some of the best Christmas tracks we’ve released over the last 20 odd years...

http://damagedgoods.co.uk/news/845/a-da ... -out-today

Bob's Christmas album got a pretty good review in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/de ... -the-heart

I must say it's definitely growing on me, though maybe that's inevitable as Christmas draws near...

I just heard Bob Dylan's Christmas album a couple nights ago, at a friends' place. The funny thing is ("funny" as in, slightly hilarious), I was listening to the Watchmen soundtrack in my car on the way over to their place, which includes Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'," which happened to play just before I got to their house. So, that tune was very fresh in my mind, when my friend put on a very perky sounding Dylan singing "Here Comes Santa Claus." The times, they are a-changin', indeed! Having just listened to classic Dylan (and that particular song, of all things), my mind just couldn't quite get around what I was hearing! It (Bob doing Christmas songs) struck me as incredibly bizarre. Not horrible, mind you, just wierd, and a little bit, well, wrong. Maybe it's just me.