Is Bob Dylan taking the proverbial?

Just listened to another track from his new album on the Ken Bruce show BBC2. Sorry but it was dire. I'm a lifelong fan of his. Sorry Bob! Give it up. I won't be buying it.

The song, All By Myself was also 'nicked' from Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2

I read Woody Guthrie made a huge impression on Dylan and always wondered if he actually worked on copying Guthrie's voice or if that was his natural singing voice too.

By no means a great singer but I never tire of listening to him. I felt quite sad listening to the link, realising his 'voice' has gone.

Dylan represented so much when I was younger! I have continued to enjoy much of his music over the years. Did not like his quasi religious stuff though and really can't think I am going to play the link on a Desert Island but something from Freewheelin or Blonde on Blonde might make it onto my fave eight list!

A young Frank Sinatra singing the same song in 1945:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKsdCtsRczY
I thought I could remember it from my chidhood.

Oh Rod, gets me every time! x

Rod Stewart and Frank Sinatra - two voices I never could like.

I've always loved Carole King, and yes she certainly was/is a prolific songwriter. Neil Sedaka still sounded pretty good the last time I saw him perform (on tv), although he couldn't hit the high notes any more.

Let's face it, even Frank Sinatra's voice was failing at the end.

I've always loved Bob Dylan's stuff from the early years and still do. I'd heard 'Full Moon and Empty Arms' on the radio this morning, and really liked it.
Like many (Van Morrison and Neil Diamond to name just a couple) the voices have weakened, but the magic is still there - for me, anyway!
Rod Stewart's renditions of easy-listening songs just don't work for him, I don't think - and his voice has also weakened. I don't think much of those, though I did like him when he was 'wilder'!

I've heard a couple of Dylan's newies on the radio lately and I thought they were good - but I reckon it must have been because I had the radio on quite quietly.
The singing in the OP link is terrible and I wouldn't want to listen to it even for nostalgia value.
It makes William Shatner sound good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L-bTza_7-I

I saw a documentary about Carole King the other week. I must be the only person of my age that neither bought nor liked Tapestry but I've now realised how lovely her music was. With a musical coming out shortly she will have a new audience. Hadn't realised that she performed for many years with James Taylor and some of his well know songs were actually penned by her.

A group of us gathered at someone's house to watch Dylan on tv, we were 16/17 year olds and none of us had ever seen or heard anyone like him. It was one of these life changing moments, after which we all grew our hair, wore nothing but Levi's and sang along to Dylan songs when we weren't out protesting against the war in Vietnam. I still love his early albums, enjoyed reading Chronicles which confirmed his enigma status. Genius and i don't mind him touring, making records etc despite his voice having gone.

I saw him at the English Woodstock concert and again at an indoor venue some years ago. I wouldn't go to one of his concerts these days - Leonard Cohen on the other hand …….

I've heard he plays golf now

I love him too, but admit I didn't know much about him until the Arena documentary in ?2005.
I belong to a forum "Expecting Rain" where there's been endless discussions about his voice (or lack of it.)
I've just listened to your link Vampirequeen and that is beautiful compared with his voice on recent tours where he seems to just grunt. He must have had some throat therapy or operations.
What a lovely song, I vaguely remembered the tune - (merlotgran - Rachmaninov.)

I still love Bob Dylan and have seen him live three or four times now. He doesn't need to write new material because every song sounds different each time he sings it, and the old ones sound nothing like they did back in the day. I don't think it's anything to do with his voice, just that that's the way he is. Yes KatyK you're right, I've never seen him interact with the audience but again, that's the way he is. Love him or loathe him, he's a one off and I hope he carries on with his never ending tour for many years yet. There will never be another one like him.

I still love Bob Dylan, but his voice has gone now. It's been ropey for a few years but he was great in speaking and humorous songs, especially with The Travelling Wilburys. I could listen to him all day on his early protest songs.

He never was the greatest of singers, but he was an exceptional song writer. If he still wants to sing, albeit off key, what the heck.

I have never liked Bob Dylan although obviously he has written some wonderful stuff. I could never stand his way of singing. My DH loves him and saw him in concert once with his (DH's not Bob's) all time favourite Joni Mitchell. He said Dylan just came on, sang and walked off, no interaction with the audience at all. I agree they should give up but I suppose it's hard for them to admit they've lost whatever they had. We went to see Don McLean a few years ago. He was truly awful. I notice he is still touring.

Dylan singing reminds me of a quote I once heard about Courtney Love that 'she's a lousy singer but a great vocalist'. Alas, Dylan is now a lousy vocalist as well. He probably has to think up new albums so he can do something different on his 'neverendingtour'.

Oh dear, Bob Dylan should give up singing. This is truly awful. He is out of tune most of the time, and I don't like the song. Why do these old men keep trying to continue their singing careers. Do they not hear themselves?

I didn't like the Dylan clip in the OP.

I can still get a shiver up my spine and the urge to jump up and punch the air when I listen to 'Idiot Wind'. What passion! What wonderful lyrics!

Eloethan;When the video was made they sent it to his daughter saying 'be careful'. If I feel so emotional watching it I can't imagine how she felt.

Yes Merlot, it is beautiful - and so right for Brief Encounter.

Tegan I'd never heard that song before and have just listened to it. Very moving, especially with the background of the younger Johnny Cash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbG2Uf2GdxY

Run it on to 1:45 and 5:59 if you don't want to hear all of it but I would if you want to hear something truly beautiful.

It was used as the incidental movement for Brief Encounter.

Clever merlot.