Here's why: he gets better. Who else from his generation as a single songwriter has done this? Bowie? Too many misses and too much selling out in the 80's. Neil Young? Comes close, but there's been a few duds along the way IMO. There aren't many who compare.
As a songwriter who supposedly "peaked" in the mid-60's, he could have so easily burned out or faded but his sh*t just got better IMO.
I don't know. He's the king in my view. No one competes.
Just thought I'd share.
Any contenders I'm missing? Or are all you homos convinced that Justin Timberlake is the new Bob Dylan?
One of the most amazing voices of rock, up there with Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury. He's done everything from all out metal (Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger) to his toned-down solo stuff and pulled it off successfully.
Yes. Albeit a shorter career at this point because of age difference, without a doubt. And a fairly different style. I would say that Costello is more versatile--jazz; bluegrass;punk.
So there they are.
Any more of you homos wanna chime in? James Blunt?
I just have never "gotten" Bruce Springsteen. But I do appreciate some of the recent Seeger tribute stuff. But, I don't know. This is gonna sound ironic as hell coming from a Dylan fan....it's his voice. I don't like it. At all.
But I am not completely versed in his earliest stuff or the later material of the last 15 years or so. I just don't like him.
Elvis Costello for sure. And he didn't steal/lift/re-write half his catalog, a la Dylan.
"The sun struggles up, another beautiful day,
And I felt glad in my own suspicious way."
Dylan's legendary status is a product of his times, a time that forgave a lot. He has never been capable of composing a blend of melody, harmony and lyrical insight that comes with a mile of Elvis C.
Other truly great rock-era songwriters include Joni Mitchell, Donald F. of Steely Dan and Randy Newman.
Bruce Cockburn. Nowhere near as famous, but every bit as skilled and prolific.
"brad!
...your tunes and your playing sound really great... all the best to you and god bless-
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OK. I confess. I have my top 5 of all time already compiled. Part of this topic serves as bait to see if any of you "homos" will fill in the remaining 4. We've got three so far.
Dylan
Waits
Costello
Any of you "homos" gonna fill in the last 2? Hmmm? Homos?
