Win Bob Dylan's new album
That's right - it's been a while since we ran a competition here at Blog on the Tracks (I haven't forgotten about the Morrissey winners, those prizes are coming soon). This time the good folk at SonyBMG approached me to give away five copies of the brand new Bob Dylan album. Exciting.
The album will be available this time next week - it's called Together Through Life; it's a lean affair, 10 tracks that very much continue in the vein of his recent albums. I've been given a sneak early listen and I think the album sits closest with Love & Theft (which has been my least favourite of his "comeback" albums since the late 1990s, but I don't in any way hate it; I just don't think it's that great).
I am looking forward to thrashing out Together Through Life a bit more over the week to come - while I think of some competition questions for those that are keen to win themselves a copy. (I can hear a little bit of Desire in it also.)
With Dylan of course (and with very few other artists) there's a feeling, when listening to a new album, that you are considering the best of his catalogue as you approach the new set of songs. The best that informs the new work and the gold that sits above and beyond it. Together Through Life is instantly better than a great deal of Dylan's released material but instantly nowhere near as strong as so much of his work too. But when you listen to a new Dylan album you are celebrating the fact he's still alive, still thinking, touring and making music.
He's been revealing bits of himself (and talking about the album) in an online interview with Bill Flanagan (you can click here to read a bit).
The record features Dylan's regular touring band and Mike Campbell (from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers). The lyrics are co-written with Grateful Dead alumnus Robert Hunter.
For my money there are four really strong songs and six average-to-fine songs that will not blow you away but won't completely disappoint. I'll be listening to it more and reporting back on it this time next week when it's available - and we'll be launching the chance to win one of five copies.
So, how do you want to win a copy? What do you think you should have to do to win Together Through Life? I am thinking of posting five questions/tasks - you pick one to have a go at. I might get you to write about Dylan using his lyrics, I might ask trivia-type questions. I haven't decided. And I thought you could actually help me with that bit...are you interested in winning a copy? And if so, what would you be prepared to do to win? Maybe you would agree to paint Together Through Life on your chest and run, handcuffed to a soft toy of your choice, down the main street of the town where you live with only underwear on - and film it to post as a link on this blog? If you did that you could probably guarantee yourself a copy. Or you might prefer to answer a trivia-type question or write a poem. You tell me.
Are you excited that Dylan has a new album out, three years after his last set of original tunes?
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Always interested to hear what Bob is up to. I really liked "Love & Theft", the fact it seemed to be a collection of shaggy dog stories was quite endering, so if it is along those lines it should be sweet. And it has to be a trivia question.
Hey Simon- sorry it's a non Mr Zimmerman related thing but...What's with the menacing scary photo? Is it to ward off the Fat Freddy's/Black Seeds followers?
Can't stand "the boob" in person however but other artistes show that he can occasionally pen the odd good song. How about guessing my favourite cover version ? or give it to the poor sap answered your question ie #2
How about: Which [an]other side of Bob Dylan is missing from 'I'm Not There'? Write a character synopsis for one more aspect of his personality/ career which could have been explored in that movie...
HEY! read Bridget Saunders BLOG on Susan Boyle...Simon is now NOT the most ignorant hated blogger on STUFF!
200 posts of viterole about Bridget or anybody i have ever seen...even BOB!!! hahaha! check it out!!!
Did like the last two albums after what I felt was a lean period in good Dylan music. Who would have thought that the father of rap (Subterranean Homesick Blues) :-) would be making good music this far on.
I can fairly lay claim to probably being the first ever Dylan fan in New Zealand. I remember the scorn from my hostel room mates as I raved about his first album. I've never stopped loving the man and his music. I really liked Modern Times and some of the stuff on Tell Tale Signs is so breathtaking you just wonder how it could ever have been not released at the time it was recorded. Bring on the competition but make it something that someone who's been a fan for nearly 50 years can handle please.
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How about being the first person across the line, like a good ole fashion running race. First comment, which looks to be mine, wins. Unless some other dirty rat is typing up something as I'm typing this.