Episode 1: Bob Dylan's Old, Weird America

When Bob Dylan first began casting his dancing spell our way, weaving epic, surreal songs that connected back to America's railroad earth, his art seemed unique.

But thanks to the work of critics like Griel Marcus, and thanks to Dylan himself, we now can hear even Dylan's most surreal music as eminating from a center in American traditional music as surely as earth's magnetism eminates from the planet's core.

Borrowing a phrase (and more)  from Marcus' book about Dylan's Basement Tapes (see the sidebar), the first episode of this new podcast plunges into a sonic exploration of Bob Dylan's music in the context of the music that inspired it.

Download and listen to Down in the Flood 1 (68:50 min., 64 MB)

Comments

[RichK]

Really nice job; you out-Greiled Greil Marcus! (BTW, his like a Rolling Stone book was a good read too, but I liked the Basement Tapes/Weird America stuff more -- obscure is the new black ; >

Anyway, what are you thoughts on podcasts and IP issues? Are you hoping this disclaimer is enough:

Down in the Flood is a non-commercial podcast for educational and critical purposes exploring the history and development of American popular music from the 1830s to the present.

I'm really curious about your answer, cause this type of podcast is something I'd like to do as well -- ie, I think it really uses the form well, matching content to the medium to a "t"

Thanks. Great job.

Rich K.

[chervokas]

Rich,

Thanks.

I started the Rolling Stone book but got sidetracked. I'll get back to it.

I consider Down in the Flood to be scholarly fair use. My purposes are purely critical and analytical. Furthermore in no way do I believe DitF detracts from the commercial value of the recordings. In fact, I hope listeners go out an purchase music they hear on DitF.

[Al Foders]

I learned about DITF podcast from the Podcast Alley daily newsletter.

Great show, fantastic music, informative commentary and well delivered.

I'm headed to Podcast Alley and other directories to cast my vote for Down In The Flood.

I especially like the fact that the entire song/sound clip is played...not just a sample interrupted by moronic voice-overs.

Thank you for the this eye-opening program. I will listen to (and enjoy) every episode.

[Bill Altreuter]

I hadn't tried the podcast thing before yours-- this was an excellent program- bravo!

[Jason Chervokas]

Thanks, Bill.

[Charles Ivermee]

Thanks very much! Dylan has been inportant to me since the mid sixties and it's been an eye opener to see him put into the context of the American experience.

[KevinJ (Ireland)]

Great series, and very timely! I enjoyed it all the more for having had the chance to read Chronicles, watch Scorsese's No Direction Home, and generally gorge on the wealth of Dylaniana that has appeared over the past few months. Still on a high after catching Dylan in two Dublin concerts (November 26/27)!

[Joe Sperry]

I read with interest your R.H. Harris piece and just wanted to let everyone know that you can, in fact, find most of Harris' 40's sides with the Soul Stirrers. Four or five years ago P-Vine in Japan made a 2-cd set called My Rock, which contains most of the Imperial 78s as well as the fugitive recordings for other labels. The set leaves off the two "talking gospel" pieces, which were on the now very rare Imperial LP, and two Imperial cuts, which can be found on another P-Vine Gospel Quartet anthology (now out of print). My Rock can be found at Roots and Rhythm for $42.00. It's worth every penny.

Joe Sperry

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[Jim Wisniewski]

This is great stuff. I am so glad I found the site.

[Jim Wisniewski]

This is great stuff. I am so glad I found the site.