Definitely Dylan

Latest Episodes:

Will Timothée Chalamet Save Dylan Fandom? - A Conversation With Rebecca Slaman May 23, 2022

Show notes

This is the first of two conversations about the crafting of Bob Dylan’s legacy.

My guest is freelance writer Rebecca Slaman. Follow Rebecca on Twitter: @ithrewtheglass.

The version of “Desolation Row” is from 12 April, 2009 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. You can watch it in full along with others from that year here.

You can support Definitely Dylan on Patreon or with a one-off donation.

For more information, see http://definitelydylan.com/.

I Flew to America to See Bob Dylan - Here are My Thoughts! Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

The pandemic forced Bob Dylan to take a two year break from performing live. Now he’s back and he’s embarked on the Rough and Rowdy Ways World Wide Tour.

I was lucky to be able to fly from London to Washington, DC to catch the last show of the year on 2nd December, 2021.

In this episode, I’m giving you my thoughts on the performances, the setlist, and how this tour relates to the latest album and Shadow Kingdom.

You can listen to the whole concert here.

You can support Definitely Dylan on Patreon or with a one-off donation.

For more information, see http://definitelydylan.com/.

Shadow Kingdom: A Midsummer Night's Dream Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Laura considers Shadow Kingdom in the context of Bob Dylan’s career and what it tells us about the artist at 80 years old. We’ll touch on Dylan’s relationship with the past, the language of dreams, and we’ll find out what all of this has to do with Shakespeare.

You can support Definitely Dylan on Patreon or with a one-off donation.

For more information, see http://definitelydylan.com/.

Alma Har’el talking about dreams is from this i-D video.

Bob Dylan’s Nobel lecture

Music: Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix, Midsummer night's dream overture

A Closer Look At: "Most Of The Time" May 13, 2021

Show notes

For this episode, we’re going to take a little break from the series on Rough And Rowdy Ways!

I want to take you on a journey towards the heart of one of my favourite Bob Dylan songs of all time: “Most Of The Time” from Dylan’s 1989 album Oh Mercy. Deceptively simple, this song about pain and denial is wonderfully subtle in its development of the singer’s feelings, while also playing with the listener’s expectations. In other words: it’s a masterclass in songwriting. So let’s find out why and how it works!

I hope you enjoy this closer look at one particular Dylan song. Let me know if you enjoy this episode and what other songs you’d like me to take a close look at!

Here’s the link to the Daniel Lanois interview compilation I mention in the episode.

If you are in a position to support my work, you can do that over on Patreon, where you also find the exclusive companion extra to this episode, in which we talk about the recording process of the song, the production, and its shortlived incarnation onstage! Thank you!

Original theme music and sound design for this episode by Robert Chaney

Chapter 2: The Other Side Of The Coin - The Myth and Mystery of Creation on Rough And Rowdy Ways Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

In Chapter 2 of Definitely Dylan’s mini series on Bob Dylan’s Rough And Rowdy Ways, Laura discusses the myth and mystery of creation in “My Own Version Of You” and “Mother Of Muses”.What insight can these very different songs give us into the creative process of the songwriter? How do they portray the creator’s role in society? And what does any of this have to do with the Nobel medal?

Here's the radio episode in which we discuss Bob Dylan’s borrowings from Billy “The Kid” Emerson’s song “If Loving Is Believing” for Dylan’s “False Prophet”.

Definitely Dylan is now on Patreon, where you can support my work and get access to bonus episodes and more content.

If you want to buy me a symbolic coffee to support my work, go to buymeacoffee.com/definitelydylan

For more info, please visit the Definitely Dylan website.

Don’t forget to follow the show on Twitter and Instagram.

Get your own “This is what a Bob Dylan fan looks like” t-shirt, or the “I Contain Multitudes” tote bag in the shop!

Chapter 1: "Sing In Me, Oh Muse" : Rough And Rowdy Ways, the Nobel Prize & the Shaping of Bob Dylan's Legacy Oct 11, 2020

Show notes

On the 19th of June, 2020, Bob Dylan released his 39th studio album, Rough And Rowdy Ways, his first collection of original songs in eight years.

In the first chapter of this Definitely Dylan mini-series, Laura begins her exploration of the new album by going back to Dylan’s 2016 Nobel win. What’s the difference between songs and literature? Who’s the secret hero of Rough And Rowdy Ways? And what does Homer have to do with all this? Listen to find out!

Definitely Dylan is now on Patreon, where you can support my work and get access to bonus episodes and more content.

If you want to buy me a symbolic coffee to support my work, go to buymeacoffee.com/definitelydylan

For more info, please visit the Definitely Dylan website.

Don’t forget to follow the show on Twitter and Instagram.

Get your own “This is what a Bob Dylan fan looks like” t-shirt, or the “I Contain Multitudes” tote bag in the shop!

In Conversation with Emma Swift about "Blonde On The Tracks" Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

This month, the Australian, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Emma Swift releases her album of Bob Dylan cover songs, Blonde On The Tracks.

In our conversation, Emma tells me about the story behind the album, how she came up with the song selection, the advantages of singing Dylan as a woman, and the autobiographical dimension of cover songs.

You can listen to and order your copy of Blonde On The Tracks on the Emma Swift bandcamp page, or from the record store of your choice. Be sure to also check out the music videos for I Contain Multitudes, Queen Jane Approximately, and You’re a Big Girl Now.

Definitely Dylan is now on Patreon, where you can support my work and get access to bonus episodes and more content.

Get your Definitely Dylan merch: The “This is what a Bob Dylan fan looks like” t-shirt, and the “I Contain Multitudes” tote bag

In Anticipation of Rough And Rowdy Ways - What You Need To Know Before Its Release! Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

On Friday 19 June, Bob Dylan releases Rough and Rowdy Ways, his first album of original songs in eight years. Here's all the info you need to know to bring you up to speed on the whats, the whys, and the whos.

Here is the link to the Dylan interview with Douglas Brinkley in the New York Times.

Definitely Dylan is now on Patreon, where you can support my work and get access to bonus episodes and more content.

You can purchase the album here.

And if you’d like to buy your “This is what a Bob Dylan fan looks like” t-shirt or the “I Contain Multitudes” tote bag, you can do that here. All proceeds from the shop during the month of June will be donated to Black Lives Matter. Thank you!

Bob Dylan's "I Contain Multitudes" - What Does It All Mean? May 04, 2020

Show notes

On the 17 April, Bob Dylan released his second surprise song in one month, "I Contain Multitudes". Borrowing more than just the title from Walt Whitman's poem "Song of Myself", Bob Dylan paints a vivid modern portrait of a country divided.

For more info, please visit the Definitely Dylan website.

Don’t forget to follow the show on Twitter and Instagram.

Definitely Dylan is on Patreon, where you can support my work and get access to bonus episodes and more content.

Get your own “This is what a Bob Dylan fan looks like” t-shirt in the shop!

Bob Dylan's "Murder Most Foul": JFK, Conspiracy Theories, and the Soul of America Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

In the midst of a terrifying pandemic, Bob Dylan has released his first original song in eight years. “Murder Most Foul” is a 17 minute long epic about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. But as with much of Dylan’s work, a closer look reveals much more.

So what is Bob Dylan’s brand new song “Murder Most Foul” about?

This episode is a reflection not only on this song, but also on what it means to be a Bob Dylan fan in this day and age.

I have tried to put my initial thoughts into words, but unravelling all the cultural references alone could take hours!

I hope you enjoy it, and if you do, please share!

Definitely Dylan is now on Patreon, where you can support my work and get access to bonus episodes and more content.

Here’s the Spotify playlist with all the music referenced in “Murder Most Foul”:

Also, here’s the link to the Tom Paine award speech and the apology letter, and you might be interested in these Kennedy poems, which Dylan wrote shortly after the JFK assassination.

If you want more original analysis of Bob Dylan’s work, and tons of great and rare Dylan performances, check out all episodes of the Definitely Dylan radio show on DefinitelyDylan.com.

I hope you’re holding up out there and taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. -Laura