Bob Dylan's Creative Process in the Studio

On this week’s Definitely Dylan Live we’re talking process! Laura and Robert speculate on Bob Dylan’s writing and recording process by listening to some early takes of well-loved songs - some closely resembling the released studio version, some wildly different!

Playlist:

1. It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (Take 1, Complete (6/15/65))

2. It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (Takes 2-3, Fragments)

3. Simple Twist Of Fate (Take 1A)

4. Covenant Woman (Take 3)

5. It Ain't Me Babe (Take 1)

6. Just Like a Woman (Take 4, Alternate Take)

7. Born In Time (Alternate Version #2)

"Everything Passes, Everything Changes" – Bob Dylan's Life Philosophy?

“Everything passes, everything changes, just do what you think you should do” - This week’s radio hour is inspired by a sentiment that we see appear and reappear in various Dylan songs over the years. Laura and Robert talk about this nugget of wisdom, and discuss in what ways it is expressive both of Dylan’s style of writing and performance, and even his career as a whole.

Related to our discussion, especially regarding the song Up To Me, here’s a link to the episode where we talked about songs in which Dylan reflects on being a performer in the spotlight.

If you’d like to support Definitely Dylan, you can now symbolically buy us a coffee here! Thank you!

1. To Ramona (Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California - September 3, 1965)

2. Buckets Of Rain (Take 5, Remake 2)

3. Up To Me (Take 2, Remake)

4. Shooting Star

5. Key West (Philosopher Pirate)

Whiskey – Our Take on the Latest Theme Time Radio Hour

In honour of last week’s surprise announcement that there was a brand new Theme Time Radio Hour episode on the horizon, Robert and Laura are preemptively following in the footsteps of DJ Bob Dylan by dedicating our hour this week to the same theme - whiskey!

One thing we forgot to mention that is really important and wonderful: at the moment, Heavens Door are helping to provide 300 000 meals to local communities, with one meal equaling four meals for a local food bank partner. So if you’re considering buying a bottle, now would be an excellent time! It’s so great to see that the brand is this committed to such an important cause.

Also, this is new: if you want to support Definitely Dylan, you can now do so by symbolically buying me/us a coffee here. Thank you!

Playlist:

1. Moonshiner

2. Copper Kettle (without overdubs)

3. Blind Willie McTell

4. Waitin’ For You

5. Gotta Serve Somebody

6. Nettie Moore

In Conversation with Emma Swift about "Blonde On The Tracks"

This month, the Australian 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.