I recently went through a Bob Dylan phase.
Every once in a while I go through a phase where I get obsessed with an artist or song. I listen to them. I read about them. I check out interviews.
My musical influences are many and fairly eclectic.
But as I said, right now I’m in a Bob Dylan phase. “Dylan?” you say, “that’s nothing new.”
No. He’s been around for a while. And I know some people who refuse to listen to him because they don’t like his voice. I say, who cares about that. I like his voice. It’s Bob Dylan.
But you know what? His lyrics and melodies break your heart open if you listen and can understand the symbolic language of poetry.
Leave your left brain at the door when listening to Bob Dylan and you’ll be well rewarded.
Not My First Bob Dylan Phase
This is not the first time I’ve had an intense phase of learning about Dylan’s muse. The previous several times were more focused on the work that everybody associates with him. “Like A Rolling Stone”, “Tangled Up In Blue”, etc.
This time ‘round I’m really digging into a larger span of his work. A brilliant album from 1983 called “Infidels” that was produced by Mark Knopfler and features Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones) and Sly and Robbie (drum and bass duo from Bob Marley’s band).
I love most of the songs on this LP. Check out this gorgeous song called “Sweetheart Like You.”
Also some stuff from an album in 1997 called “Time Out Of Mind” that was produced by Canada’s own Daniel Lanios (producer of U2’s The Joshua Tree, etc.)
And there’s a really cool song he released in 2000 for a movie soundtrack called Wonder Boys. The song is called “Things Have Changed” and ended up winning a Grammy for song of the year.
Did you know that his lyrics are now studied in major universities such as Harvard?
He won the Pulitzer Prize in 2008 for “his profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.”
He’s definitely an interesting cat. To quote the New York Times, it’s something about his Trickster Mystique.
Earlier in the summer I had a Burton Cummings/The Guess Who phase. I love the way he can either croon like butter or sing raspy and menacing. High or low. Crazy set of pipes on him. And he’s from Winnipeg which just happens to be where I was born.
Before that it was Led Zeppelin(again). And I also had a mini phase looking at Bobby Darin.
Mary says that because I have a Cancerian influence in astrology that it gives me an appreciation of the past. Cool.
New Songs In The Fire
I’ve been busy writing and recording new songs. I’m really looking forward to sharing them with you!
I also have some new and unexpected developments happening in terms of my music. I’ll let you know as it unfolds more.
This year has been full of so much change for me! I’ve been at the crossroads several times before — where I wondered if continuing to make music was worth it. And I’ve always been guided to continue. And it’s been more than worth it everytime.
This is the one time I really thought I had to put my dreams away. And I have. They were old dreams. Related to an old point of view.
Funny thing is, that the music is flowing through me even stronger.
Maybe because I don’t care as much. Maybe because I’m not as attached to any outcome. I just love to create music and share it — as long as I don’t have to compromise my happiness by being away from home and family a lot.
So I’m still an artist. It’s my calling. I didn’t choose it. I was born this way.
I am however, branching out. As you know, I now teach yoga. Love it!
note: Monday’s at 6:15pm at St. Nicholas Church (Warden and Kingston Rd.) if you’re interested.
I’ve always been a mystic and poet at heart and studied metaphysics. So helping Mary with her psychic business and doing some tarot readings to teach people wisdom is a perfect fit.
And of course my meditation/mindfulness workshops. It’s all about letting go of baggage. Y’know?
My Life Vision
I put my Life Vision into words this summer: “To inspire and teach people that the true source of love and happiness is within. And to make as much music along the way as possible.”