Theme time radio hour
I on occasionally listen to Bob Dylan’s radio show, it has grown on me. But here are a few quibbles:
1. Would we take the contrived themes from anyone else?
2. Does he talk like that all the time it’s sounds like really hard work, like he’s straining at it, can you imagine explaining in depth what was wrong with you pc talking like that or even how you want your eggs done.
3. My main point however is that he fills in, in between the songs with biographical titbits on the artists being played, often telling us that x song was written because y got dumped by z or similar. Isn’t this the sort of analysis of his own songs he’s railed against since er..1961? Could it be that Bob loves the story behind the song as much as the rest of us as long as nobody tries to explain his own songs that way?
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I've listened to lots of these...
...and come to the conclusion that he just reads a script prepared for him by somebody else. It has more staff credits that any other show on the radio.
Eddie G
Allegedly the show's secret hero is Eddie Gorodetsky, who I understand is "Pierre Mancini, speaking" as well as an encylopaedic source for obscure records. I'm not saying that Dylan doesn't know his stuff, but there are only so many hours in the day. I've listened to every show and, although the themes are getting a tad repetitive, I'm very forgiving. It would be the best thing on my radio if my radio played it.
Maybe
But I see that production assistance is provided by Jim McBeam.
Perhaps Bob and Eddie are playing with us?
I love this show to bits...
I reckon Bob is doing an impression of a low rent Wolf Man Jack style DJ, possibly broadcasting from the tex mex border, at some point in the late fifties. He's being deliberately hokey because this is possibly how he remembers DJs being when he was young.
A low rent UK equivalent of this would potentially be Richard Hawley getting a show where he impersonates a Smashy and Nicey style of DJ. Which actually would be pretty good I think.
Hawley Hoarse Time Hour
That's a great idea, Hawley is very funny and has a great "Benson And Hedges" radio voice. I love Bob's show as well.
Should have said as well...
... I have "form" in BBC local radio and it's not unusual for presenters there to show up for a programme, read out a prepared script (usually which they have tinkered with a bit), and then go home afterwards. Dylan doing that is no great sin.
Great radio, though...
... don't worry about it too much. Bob is a puzzle wrapped up in an enigma.
And, yes, he gets lots of help from researchers but it's his excellent musical taste all the way.
Season3 started on Wednesday. First show MONEY
Peace Out.
His Master's Voice
Even if the track selection isn't his, it does seem to strangely echo and amplify his own music. But the idiosyncratic script reading does seem to me to be nothing more than the extension of a singing voice in which fraying and fascination have an inverse relationship.
From interviews with Eddie G...
... the track selection is his (along with some help from Eddie G).
The talk is mainly his too. He gets help with the research, facts etc. and throws that into the mix. I don't believe that "he just reads a script prepared for him by somebody else".
Btw, here's a review on The Guardian website from yesterday:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/oct/10/radio-radio
When he played
The Streets as part of his 'Eyes' programme I nearly fell out of me seat on the tube at this strange left turn from songs of The Platters\ Moonglows\ Orieles etc. I like the element of mystery about how its put together, whether he chooses the songs, even where its recorded. Wouldn't be Dylanesque w\o all the rumour n debate.
I think he's having a good laugh and long may he continue to.