Whenever the subject of great singers comes up, I always put forward Bob Dylan. I know perfectly well that most people react with amazement at the very idea that Bob can sing and I admit that there is an element of mischief in my suggestion.
Bob Dylan
Not entirely, however. It has always been my contention that Dylan deserves recognition for his singing as well as his songs, lyrics and guitar (actually, I consider his harmonica playing to be exceptional too but that's another subject). There is a quality to his voice that makes it completely distinct from all others - no argument so far, I think.
But he is also great in the same way that Segovia, the master classical guitarist, is greater than his pupil, John Williams. Segovia's playing is full of passion and emotion, whereas John is all perfection and clarity and yet somehow empty. And Bob Dylan, particularly in his early years, before he became a caricature of himself, is a vocalist in the same way as Segovia is a guitarist - he's about feeling.
Many of Bob's songs can only be performed by himself, they are so personal. But even those with many cover versions are still best performed by Dylan. Even the much-lauded All Along the Watchtower as covered by Jimi Hendrix is used merely as a vehicle for Jimi's guitar playing; he adds nothing to the meaning or emotion of the song.
As an example, take this brief clip of Bob singing Desolation Row in the sixties. I have chosen it specifically because the voice is very clear in this recording and not drowned by the backing music. Note how Bob's strange phrasing and jagged delivery actually focuses us on the words he sings - and we cannot then turn away for those words, apparently meaningless, draw us on to hear more. To some extent, he sets us a puzzle (what the heck is he talking about) but, in the very act of listening, we hear the passion through Bob's voice that actually provides the meaning - barely grasped, it's true, yet meaning nonetheless.
This, surely, is a master at work, barely conscious of what he wants to say but managing to communicate through his voice feelings that are beyond mere reason. Essentially, it's a cry from the heart and Bob's voice is ideal to convey it. Combine that voice with the harmonica wails that Bob punctuates so many of his songs with, and the effect is complete. He reaches us at a far deeper level than any of the recognized great singers can.
And that is what I want from a singer, to hear how he feels about what he's singing. This hitting the note perfectly with fine precision is all very well but a different thing entirely from what Bob does. If the great singers are musical instruments in the orchestra, Bob is the man in the balcony yelling his frustration.
Here is one more early recording, notable in its clarity through digital remastering, with Bob singing one of those songs that only he could do: It's Alright Ma.
And finally, a later song performed with that master of the lead guitar, Mark Knopfler. This one is perhaps more about Knopfler than Dylan as it typifies the humility of the man, never taking center stage, content to add his subtle riffs at the appropriate moments and no more. But both are doing what they do best.
Bob Dylan
Not entirely, however. It has always been my contention that Dylan deserves recognition for his singing as well as his songs, lyrics and guitar (actually, I consider his harmonica playing to be exceptional too but that's another subject). There is a quality to his voice that makes it completely distinct from all others - no argument so far, I think.
But he is also great in the same way that Segovia, the master classical guitarist, is greater than his pupil, John Williams. Segovia's playing is full of passion and emotion, whereas John is all perfection and clarity and yet somehow empty. And Bob Dylan, particularly in his early years, before he became a caricature of himself, is a vocalist in the same way as Segovia is a guitarist - he's about feeling.
Many of Bob's songs can only be performed by himself, they are so personal. But even those with many cover versions are still best performed by Dylan. Even the much-lauded All Along the Watchtower as covered by Jimi Hendrix is used merely as a vehicle for Jimi's guitar playing; he adds nothing to the meaning or emotion of the song.
As an example, take this brief clip of Bob singing Desolation Row in the sixties. I have chosen it specifically because the voice is very clear in this recording and not drowned by the backing music. Note how Bob's strange phrasing and jagged delivery actually focuses us on the words he sings - and we cannot then turn away for those words, apparently meaningless, draw us on to hear more. To some extent, he sets us a puzzle (what the heck is he talking about) but, in the very act of listening, we hear the passion through Bob's voice that actually provides the meaning - barely grasped, it's true, yet meaning nonetheless.
This, surely, is a master at work, barely conscious of what he wants to say but managing to communicate through his voice feelings that are beyond mere reason. Essentially, it's a cry from the heart and Bob's voice is ideal to convey it. Combine that voice with the harmonica wails that Bob punctuates so many of his songs with, and the effect is complete. He reaches us at a far deeper level than any of the recognized great singers can.
And that is what I want from a singer, to hear how he feels about what he's singing. This hitting the note perfectly with fine precision is all very well but a different thing entirely from what Bob does. If the great singers are musical instruments in the orchestra, Bob is the man in the balcony yelling his frustration.
Here is one more early recording, notable in its clarity through digital remastering, with Bob singing one of those songs that only he could do: It's Alright Ma.
And finally, a later song performed with that master of the lead guitar, Mark Knopfler. This one is perhaps more about Knopfler than Dylan as it typifies the humility of the man, never taking center stage, content to add his subtle riffs at the appropriate moments and no more. But both are doing what they do best.