Dylan

I can't wait to listen to the new CD's. The world is a better place with him still in it. There has never been anyone like him, and at his white-hot peak in the late 60's, he was completely untouchable. He's made some bad records, and his voice is more shot now than Satchmo's- but that's how he uses it- as a different instrument. A few years ago, I was watching him sing while on tour with Paul Simon. Simon came out and sang like Paul Simon. Dylan came out and altered every song. No way could Joan Baez do an impersonation of This Dylan! I was confused, a little disappointed. Then I realized that not only wasn't he trying to sound like Bob Dylan, he wasn't necessarily trying to limit himself to rock and roll or even the blues. What he was doing with his voice was what Miles Davis did with his trumpet. As I began to listen to what I now felt was more like jazz music, my expectations evaporated and I was absolutely mesmerized.

I love Paul, too- but Dylan made him look like a lightweight.