I see that there is a chapter called `Midnight Rider' in Bob Dylan's new
book.....anybody read it yet?
Here is what Linniex said on reddit,
Reading the new Bob Dylan book and love what he has to say about Midnight Rider. Cool picture in the book too.
“This is the midnight Rider, the arch protagonist. He wears a costume and mask – the farmer, the small businessman the law-abiding citizen. In the beginning, he objected to this and that was told to “be careful with that tongue of yours”. So he went with another weapon and he’s here now to undermine local culture and put it under an iron heel…
He condemns sexual immortality and opposes social corruption. A sworn enemy of political bureaucracy, power brokers, election fraud, decadent union leaders, party hacks, corporate parasites, sugar daddies and other bank rollers.
The midnight rider seeks to force disruption and he’s got power and ability to make and enforce the unwritten law. He’s the Bullmoose, the whig, the left wing and the right wing.
He is the enemy of all those that prey on the weak and the ignorant and he really represents all people who are afraid to speak freely and impose arbitrary authority.
the midnight rider wants things to return back to a pre-corporate economic order and wipe the slate clean. He makes religious hatred a formality. The midnight Rider is a figure who uses violence to do good. He’s already giving you fair warning and he arrives after dark, at bedtime in the witching hour.
The midnight rider has sympathizers”
I have it on the pad but finishing something else.
Probably more of an archetype rather than the ABB tune, but I don’t know for sure.
Hmmm. The Midnight Rider description sounds like a 1950's excuse/reason for Klansmen. In Dylan-speak, I'm guessing that this might have to do with MAGAism or other "justifiable" fascism being ushered in. Bob's 2003 movie, "Masked and Anonymous" was probably my favorite film of that year. The other three people who watched it agree with me. There are several vignettes that deal with political transition of power. Sometimes, rather ambiguously. Here's one of my favorite scenes:
I stood in the bookstore and read the `Midnight Rider' section. No mention of
Gregg or the Brothers at all except to say that it was a cut from `Idlewild South'.
Bob Dylan and Dickey 1995. Bob sings after the middle guitar breaks.
... He condemns sexual immortality ...
Sexual IMMORTALITY? WTF? How does that even work?
Haven't read the book, but read a review that made sense (I know they're not the same). The point is that Dylan isn't writing about the history/purpose of the songs; he chose 66 random songs & riffs on them for his own amusement. 2 examples from the review:
On Marty Robbins' El Paso:
This song kicks you down, and before you can get up, it hits you again. This is the stuff to live for, and what you make of it all. This is mankind created in the image of a jealous godhead. This is fatherhood, the devil god and the golden calf — the godly man, a jealous human being. This mode of life is an all-confrontational mode of life, the highs and lows of it, what it actually is. Truth that needs no proof, where every need is an evil need. This is a ballad of outrageous love.
On Cher's Gypsies, Tramps, & Thieves:
Easily the answer to the question, ‘Name three types of people you’d like to have dinner with.’
There are playlists of the songs on Spotify.
... On Cher's Gypsies, Tramps, & Thieves:
Easily the answer to the question, ‘Name three types of people you’d like to have dinner with.’ ...
Come dine with my family on Thanksgiving. All three types will be represented. Extensively! 😉
Just read the essay, I think Dylan is reacting to the Highwayman archetype and projects that broadly, perhaps too broadly. Some cognitive dissonance on the metaphors.
Allman’s theme was individualistic reflecting a personal struggle and personal desires.
Old Bob kind of shooting from the hip. And missing.
I hope the rest is better.
One more reaction, after reading the first ten or so feels a lot like his comments from his radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour.
As I’m reading the book I agree with aiq that the book reads like his radio shows. The point however is that this book is not “philosophy” by any means but random thoughts that may be unrelated to the “reality” of the song’s intent. Bob uses poetic license to provide His version of the song’s meaning notwithstanding anyone else’s interpretation. Kinda like how he’s told us that the songs mean what the listener wants them to mean. And how he’s rewritten tunes in a manner unrelated to the original tune. In the end what I enjoy most is the humor both obvious and less so. But the book is not really worth buying unless you’re a bobfreak and must have it on your shelf.
I agree. Is it worth reading? As a celebration of The Popular Song and songwriting I would say yes.
I have reduced my social media down to about three music related sites (no more FB, Twitter, Insta, and never did tick tack toe or whatever) and my book reading has really increased. Very easy with kindle/tablet.
Before the Dylan book I read a Vince Guaraldi bio (Cast Your Fate to the Wind, Charlie Brown music, Garcia’s pal and so much more), a collection of Ralph Gleason’s writings, and Mezz Mezzrow’s autobiography Really The Blues.
Every time a song was mentioned I would listen on YooToob. Really made things more in the moment, the Dylan book too.
Louis Armstrong’s autobiography is great too.
