Bob Dylan!

[Moogmodule]

Bob Dylan Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature

I think that's a great choice. On ya Bob

[KelMar]

[Hello Goodbye]

The first musician to win the award.  Yay Bob!!

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

The first musician to win the award.  Yay Bob!!

I don't know if he deserved it more than other writers; but he certainly deserved it more than any other musician.

[Moogmodule]

I don't know if he deserved it more than other writers; but he certainly deserved it more than any other musician.

That's a good point. I'm a big fan of Murakami who was a favourite. But nothing will stop him getting it in a future year (except dying). I think it's a good acknowledgement that unique written qualities can be present in modern music. And that Dylan is the best encapsulation of this.

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

That's a good point. I'm a big fan of Murakami who was a favourite. But nothing will stop him getting it in a future year (except dying). I think it's a good acknowledgement that unique written qualities can be present in modern music. And that Dylan is the best encapsulation of this.

I think Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) deserved the Nobel Prize in Literature more than Bob Dylan, but he never won it. However, we should not only take into account the quality of words, but also the impact, innovation and influence that Dylan had in the popular music scene during the 60's. I think he was as important as the Beatles in the musical revolution of that decade, specifically from the lyrics side.

[Normandie]

I find Dylan's silence on the topic puzzling:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/nobel-prize-panel-stops-trying-to-get-in-touch-with-bob-dylan/ar-AAj3Sfn?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=U218DHP

[Hello Goodbye]

He's just being iconic, Kathleen. 


Or maybe he's taking this New York Times editorial seriously:  Why Bob Dylan Shouldn't Have Gotten a Nobel


Anna North is not too well-informed.  It looks like anyone can write for The New York Times these days.  She's sure got a lotta gall to be so useless and all, muttering small talk at the wall while I'm in the hall.

[Moogmodule]

Bob's copping it from all quarters

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/bob-dylan-rocks-but-as-a-poet-he-is-just-bland-on-bland/news-story/0b7d7028aa86e5d47422e3351075c9f5

I think they're basically missing the point. Yes Bob maybe isn't the greatest poet ever or even going around today. I interpreted the award as for the way he elevated lyrical songwriting and integrated a poetic approach into western modern music. At the same time penning several songs that will remain in societies canon primarily for their lyrics rather than their music. Blowing in the Wind, Mr Tambourine Man, The Times they are a Changing come immediately to mind. To agree that Dylan's work is best appreciated as song rather than as words on a page or just spoken doesn't mean it's not worthy literature. The whole point is that he works in a field where words must be matched to music. A constraint poets and novelists don't have. The recognition is that you can pursue literary goals inside such constraints.

I'm wondering if part of the pique in the literature world's reaction is their realisation that poetry is very much a poor cousin now in written art forms. A little like opera composers, very few modern poets are making much of a wider social impact compared to their antecedents. Most living poets that could be given a Nobel would elicit blank stares of non recognition outside a small circle. Nobel prizes don't have to be a popularity contest, nor is it a bad thing to elevate the profile of lesser known ar,tist. But this prize makes people consider a broader definition of what is great writing and that is itself valuable.

[Hello Goodbye]

Well said, Moog.

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

I also agree with Moog. Words are words, being in a book or as part of a song. I could understand a complaint saying that better writers exist, which is a subjective opinion; but Bob Dylan was always a suitable option for the prize.

[nimrod]

Well I don't know whether he deserves it or not really I've been reading poetry all my life and I never really regarded his lyrics as poetry although I suppose you could look at them that way I always more considered Jim Morrison's words as the most poetic in popular music

On A personal level I'm not sure Bob deserves this award for two reasons .....number 1 he didn't attend George Harrison's concert for George at the Albert Hall I mean he was in a group with him for a few years and the other reason is I spent a fortune going to see him and he never said a word during the show he never smiled or said hello.... and he changed Melody of every song ....I only recognised them because of the words, it was probably the worst concert I've ever been too.

He was probably being Iconic   ha2ha

[Hello Goodbye]

He was probably being Iconic   ha2ha

Bob Dylan: Nobel Literature Prize left me speechless



BBC News

Bob Dylan: Nobel Literature Prize left me speechless


US singer-songwriter Bob Dylan says he accepts his Nobel Prize in literature, ending a silence since being awarded the prize earlier this month.

He said the honour had left him "speechless", the Nobel Foundation said in a statement.

The foundation said it had not yet been decided if the singer would attend the awards ceremony in December.

However, Dylan reportedly told a UK newspaper he intended to pick up the award in person "if at all possible".

The award to the star was announced on 13 October "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition".

However, his failure to acknowledge it raised eyebrows.

Last week, a member of the Swedish Academy, which awards the Nobel prizes, described his silence as "impolite and arrogant".

But on Friday, the Nobel Foundation said Dylan had called Sara Danius, Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, telling her: "The news about the Nobel Prize left me speechless. I appreciate the honour so much."

Although the statement said it was unclear if Dylan would attend the prize-giving banquet in Stockholm, the UK's Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying: "Absolutely. If it's at all possible."

In an interview with the paper he described the prize as "amazing, incredible".

"It's hard to believe. Whoever dreams about something like that?" the paper quoted him as saying.

[Hello Goodbye]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXYmYnjrFBc#

[Hello Goodbye]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_0SUUq6joo#

Charlie Daniels on bass.