Bob Dylan...gigs @ Pearl in Vegas! Palms Hotel! July 15th!

The legend!

The man!

Uh-huh.

Fans are elated that Bob Dylan is about to saunter onstage tomorrow night at the prestigious "Pearl" Nightclub Venue at the Palms Hotel in the desert oasis.

Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman in St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth on May 24 (1941) and was raised in Hibbing, Minnesota.

The struggling artist moved to Minneapolis in September 1959, enrolled at the University of Minnesota, and concentrated his artistic focus on Rock & Roll  (which later gave way to an keener interest in American folk music).

"The thing about rock'n'roll is that for me anyway it wasn't enough. There were great catch-phrases and driving pulse rhythms. But, the songs weren't serious or didn't reflect life in a realistic way. I knew that when I got into folk music, it was more of a serious type of thing. The songs are filled with more despair, more sadness, more triumph, more faith in the supernatural, much deeper feelings," Dylan noted in one of his early interviews.

According to his handlers, Dylan is more inclined to stray off the track, preferring to experiment with novel musical musings (if only to keep his creative blood flowing throughout his veins).

Personally, I savor the original versions when it comes to "Blowin in the Wind".

Meanwhile, Nashville Skyline has remained by fave album which was a break-out recording at the time it was first released.

The sometimes reclusive (neighbors once mistook an unshaven, unkempt, long-haired Dylan for a homeless man intruding on his property in Malibu) hit-maker is expected to sell-out the much-anticipated concert this weekend.

The times may be changing, but Dylan keeps rolling along!

And, fans, will be right there cheering the gifted genius on.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Elton John...Hosts Saturday Night Live tonight! Leon Russell album collaboration!

 

When Elton John strolled onto the stage of the Jimmy Fallon show the other night, the reaction from the adoring audience - totally in awe - was heartfelt.

Within minutes of alighting on the podium, fans and guests alike, were on their feet stomping and hollering.

And on the heels of the outpouring of love, there was a standing ovation!

After all, it's not often that a common "Joe" or two - even a quirky talk-show host - weasle their way into the presence of a musical legend like the great Elton John.

In spite all the in-your-face attention, Mr. John (!) was pretty low-key in the aftermath.

And, the celebrated Brit didn't look half-bad in his advancing years, either.

Sir Elton sported a chic well-tailored black suit, which was teamed with an ultramarine dress shirt (open at the collar), with no bling to speak of.

At one point, he treated the audience to an impromptu performance of - "Your Song" - after Fallon determined that was a "favorite" tune he wished he had recorded years ago.

Speaking of albums, Elton is currently in the throes of releasing his 13th LP, which features Leon Russell and T. Bone Burnett (at the helm?).

The collaboration with Russell should come as no surprise to die-hard fans familiar with El's roots (which go way back in the industry).

"The first night I performed in Los Angeles Leon was in the 2nd or third row. I spotted him right away and was nervous. Would he like my material," he wondered to himself.

In fact, the long-haired musical genius was so impressed with Elton, that he took him under his wing and back to New York to perform at the Fillmore, where he was summarily introduced to Bob Dylan.

"Everyone was so great to me when I first arrived in America," the aging Lothario with an eye for good-looking studs fondly recalled.

When Fallon asked how he felt about GLEE featuring his songs on their hit show this past week, he was quick on the uptake, too.

"It is so flattering when people play your music.  I even get excited when I step into an elevator and hear a piece of musak featuring one of my hits."

And, he had a message for up-and-coming bands, who pooh-poohed the notion of having their music showcased on a top-rated comedy-drama like GLEE.

"Lighten up, you as**holes," he screamed at the viewing audience at home, as the audience roared in approval below the footlights.

Is El slowing down a tad?

Just maybe; after all, he confided that he is not one to traipse around town to all the exclusive parties or even try to make "the scene".

"I prefer to stay at home with David (his male lover) and the boys."

Hold on a minute, your naughty folks.

When he says "boys" - the hit-maker doesn't mean "toy-boys" - at all.

No, Sir.

Of course, he is referring to his two adopted sons.

By the way, tonight Sir Elton will be hosting Saturday Night Live, in addition to being the musical guest.

If the promos previewing this past week are any indication, I expect folks should tune in.

The late-night off-the-wall comedy variety show is bound to be a hoot with Elton at the helm!

And, keep your eye out for the documentary on Elton, lensed by Cameron Crowe.

Cheers!

http://www.thetattler.biz/





MySpace friend!

Bob Dylan...ironic that! Minstrel performs in Communist Vietnam! April 10th!

 

Are issues black & white?



The appeal of a handful of artists across a myriad of foreign landscapes (in spite of the social and political stance) is not only evident - but, a bit mind-boggling - in view of the recent announcement that Bob Dylan (a celebrated anti-war protestor in the sixties) is slated to perform live! in Vietnam on April 10th.

Not the intimate setting of the Warfield (in San Francisco) that legend is used to - but - what the heck!

Say, didn't that shaggy-haired bohemian, lament the horrors of communism in his ballsy upstart-youth?

Oh, yeah!

"The times they are-a-changin', alright!"

The eccentric musically-inspired poet (with roots in both the folk and rock-beat eras) has obviously opted to toss caution to the wind so that he might rustle up a posse of admirers in a breathless (jaded?) foreign generation (in addition to die-hard fans of yesteryear) in a 8,250-seat stadium.

Will Dylan get into the spirit of the moment and  pen a pop tune in honor of Ho Chi Minh, too?

A hypocrite?

No, just maybe, Bob's mellowing (and getting optimistic) with old age.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Bob inspired an anti-war sentiment!

Bob Dylan...concert tonight @ Warfield in San Francisco! Elusive poet intrigues!

The elusive street poet - Bob Dylan - slips out of the musical shadows to appear at a special one-time gig at the Warfield on Market  Street tonight (San Francisco).

The price tag for a ticket is hefty, though.

$60.00

The doors swing open at 5:30 p.m.

The legendary 60's icon is expected to saunter onstage @ 8 p.m.

By the way, Bob Dylan purists  have something to look forward to a little later in the year when the leaves turn crimson and gold and start to flutter to the ground come October.

The 9th installment of a Bootleg Series of tunes will be stocking the shelves of  retail outlets in the Bay area.

"The Whitmark Demos: 1962-1964" are a collection of 47 rough takes of Dylan that have survived the passage of time over the decades.

Along with early renditions of well-known classics such as - “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” “Masters of War,” and “Mr. Tambourine Man,” - the must-have packet  will also feature 15 Dylan originals in the demo stage.

Columbia Records has issued a press release in which they note:

"Dylan is accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, harmonica and occasionally piano.”

Although a handful of the catchy ditties have seen the light of day in a dog-eared fashion previously, die-hard fans are excited about snapping up the Columbia release which will be showcased in a legitimate format with linear notes

On Oct. 19th, there will also be a release of a box set with remastered mono versions of Dylan's first eight albums (1962′s Bob Dylan through 1967′s John Wesley Harding).

Cool, eh?

The morning after!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Vancouver...intriguing unsolved mystery!

Lay Lady Lay

(Nashville Skyline)

Calderhouse Inn

In the old "head" days in Vancouver, I dwelled in a two-story craftsman-style building, which was divided into quaint individual apartments.

Back in the seventies, the 4th Avenue scene was pretty footloose and carefree.

At the time, I was just starting to collect a few select antiques.

One of my fondest possessions was a beautiful antique bed (a lover gave it to me) - which was quite appropos - in view of the fact Body Dylan's song (Lay Lady Lay) was popular at the time.

During that time period, I was quite involved in painting, since I was preparing for one of my first one-man exhibitions in trendy Gastown at the Galerie Allen (downtown Vancouver).

In those innocent days, I never locked my apartment door, that's how safe Kitsilano was in those romantic easy-going days.

One day, I returned home and was startled to spy Oscar Wilde's book "The Happy Prince" propped up and open on my bed, with a sheet of paper casually tucked inside the binding.

I plucked it up and found myself reading this lovely poem:

Untitled

Uncertain of the things I'll find
I explore you as an enchanted forest
that what may come may be a storm
but all may be as wondrous

Vain may be all thoughts of love
As lovely as the sight may be
of one that so close compares
to a century of dreaming

Author Unknown

Who left it?

Ah!

A mystery yet to be resolved to this day, if only for curiosity sake.

News at 11!

A former employer!

(Royal Vancouver Yacht Club)

Bob Dylan...a hypocrite? Burn those lyrics & CD's...

You get the face you deserve after fifty!

It boggles the mind to read those news reports filtering in about an "out-house" on the property of celebrated "poet" Bob Dylan that is causing quite a stink in Malibu!

According to the folk hero's disgruntled neighbors in Point Dume, a prevailing sea breeze off the coast carries a foul-smelling odor from a port-a-pottie on Dylan's sprawling estate straight into the comfy confines of residents' swank homes.

In spite of the fact complaints have been lodged with the musician (which were duly turned over to his legal counsel, in New York, of all places) and he has been duly informed that neighbors have become faint and sick to their stomachs over the noxious fumes incessantly wafting their way, the man known for his songs about truth and justice has looked the other way.

The offending sh** house is apparently used by Dylan's employees when they have to drop a load.

City inspectors charged with the task of investigating the complaints were turned away by security at the "otherwise" upscale compound and duly informed on that occasion that the aging once-feisty musical upstart planned to sue the city.

I shook my head in disbelief when I learned that the offending structure was originally cited by the City for code violations when it was first erected.

Allegedly, Dylan ignored a requirement that the free-standing "john" be accessible to the handicapped.

The maverick's response?

In a deceitful pig-headed attempt to bypass that regulation, Dylan actually penned a note to City officials in which he had the audacity to promise that he would avoid that little oversight in the building code by "never hiring any handicapped persons" in the future.

What a twisted piece of work!

The stuff he's been smoking over the years has obviously turned his brain into mush!

Imagine that, a folk singer who wailed about Civil Rights during the sixties and built his name and reputation (and great fortune, I might add) on truth, justice, and the American Way, can't fathom the obvious.

He's not only infringing on the rights of others, but using his clout and big bucks, to raise himself to a lofty perch where he surmises he doesn't have to abide by the law of the land or even acknowledge his social responsibility to others.

Bottom line, Bob Dylan is a hypocrite and a phony!

I say, burn the dude's lyrics and his CD's; after all, the ideals expressed in 'em are nothing but pure fantasy at this juncture.

Or, at a minimum, let's at least rewrite a handful of his popular musings.

Here, I've taken a shot at it!

How many times must a neighbor stride down Dylan's drive

Before he'll lend 'em an ear?

And, how many protests must the outraged hold on his lawn

Before he perceives there's a cause?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' o'er an ignorant poet's head

The answer is blowin' in the Malibu wind!

Amen!

http://www.julianayrs.com