Bob Dylan On A Bicycle?

This month the man formerly known as Robert Zimmerman will release his forty-fourth album entitled Modern Times. News of the release led to asking myself the question: “do I hold Bob Dylan on a pedestal?” I like to think not, but at the same time I don’t actually picture him doing everyday things either. Such as mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or say…riding a bicycle. So yes, maybe I do a bit. More on the bicycle bit in a moment.

In July, while staying in New Orleans, I was discussing with a friend the Bob Dylan memoirs Chronicles Vol. I, and the significant portion devoted to Dylan’s residency in the Crescent City while recording Oh Mercy with Daniel Lanois. [If you have yet to read Chronicles and are any kind of Dylan fan it is a must-read. Hell, it’s a great read even if you’re not a fan. Like his music, Dylan’s prose is like no other; his take on life and how he processes it and spits it back out for us, the audience, is unparalleled.] But back to the bike. So we are discussing the nuances of the City when said friend states, “two years ago while stopped at a light on Magazine Street, Bob Dylan rode his bicycle in front of my car.” What?!??! The mental picture framed in my mind at that moment was something like a raggedly looking Dylan with sunglasses a-la Street Legal. So with that tale spun, Drunkard reader, I would like share my favorite track, “New Pony,” off of that 1978 album. It’s filthy dirty blues with some of my favorite Dylan lyrics and phrasing. The devil himself might have had a hand in writing this one.

As a bonus, also included for your listening pleasure, is “Seven Curses” off The Bootleg Series Vol. 1-3. Haunting in it’s nuanced simplicity.
DOWNLOAD:
MP3: Bob Dylan :: New Pony
MP3: Bob Dylan :: Seven Curses
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One thought on “Bob Dylan On A Bicycle?

  1. Haha, briliant. I was thinking something similar the other day. I bet he can make cleaning out the cats litter tray, or trying to find an odd sock, so cool. I just cant see him looking as stupid as me.
    And as for Chronicles, what an awesome read. Like ‘No Direction Home’, Great fodder for the Dylan-ites mind. Brilliant. Read em, Watch em, Love em!

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