AboutThom Expertise I will attempt to answer any questions relating to Bob Dylan`s life, music, religion, tours, lyrics, etc. If I don`t know the answer myself, I will make an effort to find the answer for you.
Experience Over 40 years of listening to Dylan, reading everything I could get my hands on about him.
Publications Eureka Times Standard
Eureka Ca.
Education/Credentials 5 years college without degrees
Question What kind of light can you shed on the lyrics of Desolation Row? What a confusing song. I know its a common questions, but jus tthought I'd ask.
Thanks,
David
Answer Highway 61 Revisited 9½ ( 1965, UK pos 4 )
Like A Rolling Stone / Tombstone Blues / It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry / From A Buick 6 / Ballad Of A Thin Man / Queen Jane Approximately / Highway 61 Revisited / Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues / Desolation Row
After producing the masterful 'Like A Rolling Stone' Bob and Tom Wilson reputedly had a falling out resulting in the future Frank Zappa and Velvet Underground producer being ousted and replaced by Bob Johnston. Not that you'd notice a huge difference in the quality of the tracks in terms of sound, or whatever. Bob was on a roll creatively and led proceedings in the studio. And you know - the album opens with 'Like A Rolling Stone' after all. What more do you want? Well, the other eight tracks are pretty good too. Bobs first all electric album is something of a tour-de-force. 'Tombstone Blues' as well as sporting a torrent of fabulously brilliant lyrics rolls along at a fair pace musically. The words are often hilarious, the music rich, immense and exciting. The stately and elegant 'It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry' features great singing from Bob and a wonderful Piano/Guitar led backing track. 'From A Buick 6' is more of a throwback to the first side of 'Bringing It All Back Home' when compared to other songs here. A lot rawer in terms of sound than anything else on the entire record bar possibly 'Ballad Of A Thin Man' but that's for different reasons. A slow haunting piano track, spooky organ effects and a vitriolic set of scathing lyrics, mark out 'Ballad Of A Thin Man' as something very special indeed. 'From A Buick 6' almost sounds like a demo when placed next to the other songs here. A good demo though, mind you!
'Queen Jane Approximately' screams out 'mid sixties' if only because Bob was producing such great music at this stage he had become a worldwide superstar in the process. Hit singles! Hit albums, of course. Controversial tours, etc. 'Queen Jane Approximately' is almost a softer cousin to 'Like A Rolling Stone' from a musical point of view. That same combination of organ, drums and guitar is used. The title song has yet more fantastic lyrics but apart from that I like its galloping rhythm! And, apart from even that and everything that's gone before we have 'Just Like Tom Thumb Blues' and 'Desolation Row' to close. 'Desolation Row' features interweaving acoustic guitars and is hypnotic even over an eleven minute length. Lots of little melodies to catch your attention and keep your interest. Over the top of this Bob is letting out another captivating set of lyrics, well, poetry in fact. Rock music had never had such poetic and intelligent lyrics before. Partly because of this 'Highway 61 Revisited' is both a pivitol release in terms of Bob Dylans career, but also for Rock music in general.
I have my opinion: that desolation row needs no explanation; it is a desolate sounding and desperate sounding lyrically. He passed the test it seems. thom
