Bob Dylan

Expecting Rain

Bob Dylan and the History of Rock'n' Roll


Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2000 13:16:05 -0800
From: Paul Myles-Kelly  paulk@northeast-press.co.uk 
To: webmaster@expectingrain.com
Subject: Dylan review

Bob Dylan and the History of Rock'n' Roll - From Paul Myles-Kelly

Customs House, South Shields.

ALMOST 200 Bob Dylan fans were held spellbound by a two-hour illustrated
talk by revered writer and critic Michael Gray.

 After tracing the early days of British rock'nā roll, Tommy Steele and
bland UK versions of American pop classics, the author of the highly
acclaimed Song & Dance Man lll ? The Art of Bob Dylan (Cassell)
described how Elvis, Little Richard and Chuck Berry were a taste of the
real thing in dull late 50s Britain.

 But it was the voice and radical attitude of Dylan in the early 60s
which really fired the young Michael Gray's imagination.

 Playing recordings of Dylan singing All I Really Want To Do and Mr
Tambourine Man to the hushed South Tyneside crowd, Gray said the most
striking thing about the American singer-songwriter ? who is still
performing dozens of shows a year at almost 60 - is that he made great
art by breaking every rule in the musical book.

 Another treat was to see rare footage of  Dylan live in 1966, at the
height of his so-called electric phase, performing a thrilling version
of Ballad of a Thin Man.

 Michael Gray received warm applause at the end of his fascinating
lecture with sound and images and Customs House management should also
be applauded for staging this gig with a difference. A repeat
performance next year must surely be on the cards.

Terry Kelly
(Review appeared in Shields Gazette newspaper)

Song and Dance Man III

Michael Gray:
Song and Dance Man III
from
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Hardcover: amazon.com