leonardcohenforum.com

A few mentions of leonard cohen in this unusually forthcoming Dylan interview from 2001
if you are a dylan fan and haven't yet heard this check out the whole interview , posted in 6 parts on you tube- funny and revealing - to a point
at 1 min and 3.30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbaSTyJc ... 7MMfU-_bv4

cohenadmirer wrote:A few mentions of leonard cohen in this unusually forthcoming Dylan interview from 2001
if you are a dylan fan and haven't yet heard this check out the whole interview , posted in 6 parts on you tube- funny and revealing - to a point
at 1 min and 3.30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbaSTyJc ... 7MMfU-_bv4

"If it's going to be fictitious, then where's the good stuff?"

Thanks for posting this. I thought he was very personable and also direct with his answers, not evasive.I enjoyed the part where one of the interviewers says to Bob he had heard a rumor that he was possibly going to do a variety show. Bob answers that it was just that, a rumor. The interviewer then replied saying yeah that would have been kinda scary and Bob replies "I know!"

M

Interesting, Thanks.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Fascinating stuff. Wasn't aware it existed. Bob is quite candid throughout.

On July 23, 2001, Bob Dylan did something rather extraordinary by his standards: He held a press conference.

It took place in Rome and was attended by a small group of European journalists, to hail the upcoming release of his “Love and Theft” album. Dylan was relaxed, informal, friendly and the journalists treated him respectfully. Everyone had a good time, judging from the tape I have.


Dylan always has a lot to say. He may prefer to keep his counsel and maintain his hard-earned privacy. I understand and respect that point of view. But I’m a selfish fan. I want to hear from Dylan and find out what is on his mind these days. HIs standard operating policy of granting only one lone interview per album — ordinarily to Rolling Stone — doesn’t quite cut it.

Maybe he’s afraid he’d get hassled with unwanted questions about the controversy surrounding his art exhibit in the past year. Or the tiresome, dumb insinuations that his singing voice is shot. Or the never-ending questions about the status of his Never Ending Tour. Even if he did, Dylan could disarm the questioners with a quip.

Back in 2001, the presser was regarded as a rare event. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he has done that since. It’s too bad.

What happened?

Remember, Dylan talked to the media all the time during his first “electric” tours in North America, Australia, on the European continent and in England. His televised press conference — televised! — in San Francisco in early December 1965 is a classic. He is witty and charismatic. The great rock and roll critic Paul Williams once suggested that the Dylan camp market the video as a product called “Something Is Happening.”

The press conferences showed Dylan at his most winning self. He seems to be completely at ease,despite the foolishness of the journalists who seemed to ask Dylan about everything but the remarkable music he was creating at the time.

In 2001, in Rome, Dylan again showed his charming side. He spoke poignantly about George Harrison, who was dying. He teased a journalist who probed shyly about the meaning of the tune “Mississippi.” He shrugged off the suggestion that “Love and Theft” was his first dance record. He even gave the reporters a preview of the memoir “Chronicles, Volume One” that was to come three years later.

Dylan made the journalists laugh frequently. He said he didn’t go on the Internet because he was afraid some pervert would try to lure him somewhere. He quipped that he was the spokesman of his generation, toying with the tag that had saddled him for nearly 40 years to that point.

Plus, he explained painstakingly to the press why his then self-produced, new album, “Love and Theft,” had such a good, fresh, uncluttered, distinctive sound. He was very proud of that. He was entertaining, informative and patient.


JONFRIEDMAN.NET QUESTION OF THE DAY: What one question would you ask Dylan if you encountered him at a press conference later this year?

What do you think? Feel free to post your comment here.

Do you call it a bap or a barmcake?

Enjoyed all you said in your last posting, cohenadmirer.
Thanks for all that info.

Wonderful stuff! Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention

It's just as you describe it.

+1

Rodin wrote:Do you call it a bap or a barmcake?