American folk-rock music artist Bob Dylan, who was nicknamed ‘the sound of a generation,’ told his memories, music world and album in an interview with Bill Flanagan before his triple album, which will be released on March 31. In an interview with Nobel Prize for Literature, Dylan also talked about the legends of music from Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra, from Amy Winehouse to Iggy Pop.
Bob Dylan, the door to the rock of folk music answering the questions of Bill Flanagan before his 38th studio album Triplicate, which will be released on March 31 with the Columbia label, talks about many golden moments of his life from his meeting with Frank Sinatra to his escape from Elvis Presley.
It’s worth remembering that Dylan rarely interviewed here.
Here are the highlights of that interview, which recorded the inner world, memories, and musical life of Dylan, a living legend of music and literature in history:
Critics call a nostalgic album for Triplicate?
Nostalgic? I wouldn’t say that. It is not a journey to these memories, longing or desire for old times or a fondness for memories that no longer exist. A song like Sentimental Journey cannot be a return song. He does not look at the past with longing. A song that is here and now in the world.
How was it growing in the north of Minnesota?
Growing in the north is not worth the effort you spend. A harsh environment, people, live simple lives; but in the rest of the country, there are simple lives. Wherever people go, it’s more or less the same. There are good and bad everywhere, no matter where you live.
Did you have a companion who shared this passion when he first fell in love with Rock’s Roll? Someone you tried to write songs with in your youth?
Just my girlfriend. I was strumming my guitar and writing new lyrics to other songs. I was playing with rock and roll bands in the city, but I had enlightenment somewhere on the road. I heard Lead Belly and Josh White, and that changed everything.
Why have you been at the piano rather than the guitar in their live performances for several years?
I play the guitar while I am doing voice control or at home, but our chemistry matches the piano better. If I play the guitar, it changes the band’s dynamics. It would be very annoying to go back and switch from one to the other. Regardless I am already a rhythmist; I don’t play solo. If I play the guitar, we will be a different group.
Despite all the musicians and actors waiting outside the backstage at a concert, you only invited Ornette Coleman to your side. Do you feel a bond with the Jazz children?
Yes, I always felt. I know Ornette a little, we did a few common things. He faced a lot of troubles, criticism, and other jazz musicians who were jealous of him were always against him. It was doing something very new, disruptive, and they didn’t understand. I also encountered similar situations with the different music I made.
I once heard that you and George Harrison had to register with Elvis Presley when he never came. What is the true story?
He came; we did not.
Which TV shows do you watch on touring road?
I spend all my time endlessly watching I Love Lucy.
In which format do you listen to music the most?
I usually listen to CDs.
Which song do you think didn’t get the attention it deserved?
Brownsville Girl or In the Garden.
Do you have any good records of lately?
Iggy Pop’s Apres is good. I also love Imelda May. Valerie June, The Stereophonics. I also liked the Ray Charles tribute of Willie Nelson and Norah Jones with Wynton Marsalis. I also liked the last recording by Amy Winehouse.
We recently lost Muhammed Ali, Merle Haggard, Leonard Cohen, and Leon Russell. Which upset you the most?
Sure, they were all very upset. We were like brothers, and we lived on the same street. Now they left the places they used to leave empty. Without them, this place is very desolate.
Many important names listened to you while on stage. Presidents, kings, Pope, movie stars, The Beatles, Muhammed Ali … Has anyone excited you?
All of them.
I don’t understand ‘you had to register with elvis presley when he never came”……what does that even mean?