Episode 12: Easter Special

Episode #12 of Definitely Dylan is an Easter Special! In this hour, Laura Tenschert talks about Dylan's conversion to Christianity, discussing sin, faith, (self-) righteousness, and redemption. And as always, there's excellent music, this time with a special focus on some cuts from the Deluxe Edition of the Bootleg Series 13: Trouble No More.

Playlist:

1. Somebody Touched Me (Live, 24 September, 2000, Portsmouth, UK)

2. Trouble In Mind (Take 1)

3. Saving Grace (Live, 18 April, 1980, Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada)

4. In The Garden (Live, 20 April, 1980, Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada)

5. Every Grain Of Sand

6. Dead Man, Dead Man (Live, 10 November, New Orleans, LA)

Episode 11: Songs From the Threshold

Episode 11 of Definitely Dylan is about Bob Dylan's liminal songs, in which the singer finds himself on the threshold, caught between a familiar past and an unknown future. Laura Tenschert talks about songs of change, creativity and idleness, feeling lost, and wandering the netherworld (kind of).

Here's the amazing live version of Señor (Tales of Yankee Power) that I've talked about.

Correction: The Dylan concert I attended at the Roundhouse took place in 2009, not 2008.

Playlist:

1. The Times They Are A Changin'

2. Time Passes Slowly #1 (Alternate Version)

3. Watching The River Flow

4. Señor (Tales Of Yankee Power)

5. Trying To Get To Heaven

6. Standing In The Doorway

Episode 10: Singing Other People’s Songs

Dylan is known as one of the most covered artists in popular music. But this week's Laura talks about Dylan singing songs by other artists! 

A note: The fun fact that I was trying to squeeze in at the end when I got cut off was that in his book on Dylan's Recording Sessions, Clinton Heylin lists 289 (!) covers that were attempted by Dylan in the studio up to 1994! So that's not even counting all the covers he has played live in concert, or the ones he's recorded in the past 28 years. 

Also, a correction: I've since been informed that Dylan has covered at least two songs written by John Lennon, Nowhere Man and Come Together, live in concert! 

Lastly, here is the live version of Spanish Is The Loving Tongue from 1976 that I've mentioned.

Playlist:

1. Spanish Is the Loving Tongue (Piano Version, Another Self Portrait)

2. Rock, Salt & Nails - Bob Dylan & The Band

3. I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know

4. Ninety Miles An Hour (Down A Dead End Street)

5. Train Of Love

6. Mutineer

7. I Can’t Get You Off Of My Mind

8. People Get Ready

Episode 9: Women and Dylan

In honour of International Women's Day as well as Mothers Day, episode #9 of Definitely Dylan is dedicated to Women & Dylan.

On this occasion, Laura offers a different perspective on two of Dylan's most controversial songs.

The hour also features various ways in which women have received Dylan's work. In addition to hearing women sing Dylan, Laura has asked women who have written about Dylan their opinion on the male-dominated culture of Dylan studies. You can read Dr. Nina Goss, Dr. Anne Margaret Daniel, and Tara Zuk's answers in full here.

A correction: our twitter and instagram handle is of course @DefDylan!

Playlist:

1. Diamonds and Rust - Joan Baez

2. Just Like A Woman

3. Sweetheart Like You

4. I Shall Be Released - Nina Simone

5. Just Like A Woman - Roberta Flack

Episode 8: Winter

Episode #8 is dedicated to Winter. Laura Tenschert talks about the cold season as a time for introspection, nostalgia, as well as creativity, AND makes a case for one of Dylan's much-maligned songs.

Playlist:

1. On A Night Like This

2. Talkin’ New York

3. Girl From The North Country

4. Three Angels

5. Marchin’ To The City (Unreleased, Time Out Of Mind)

6. Satisfied Mind

7. Tell Ol’ Bill (Alternative Version)

8. Winterlude