To this day, it's hard to find a singer better than Lennon was, or than McCartney was and still is. I'm in awe of McCartney. He's about the only one that I'm in awe of. He can do it all. And he's never let up. He's got the gift for melody, he's got the gift for rhythm, he can play any instrument. He can scream and shout as good as anyone, and he can sing a ballad as good as anyone. And his melodies are effortless, that's what you have to be in awe of.... he's just so damn effortless. I just wish he'd quit [laughs]. Everything that comes out of his mouth is just framed in melody.
Bob Dylan interviewed in Rolling Stone 40th Anniversary edition
I've heard that before and thought how cool it was that Bob said that.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is that it is a mutual respect as well though, because McCartney pointed out how influential Bob was to The Beatles after they heard The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan album, which is a great album I admit.
I think Paul has said that he thinks no one can write a song like Dylan does, and Lennon was so influenced by him, even if he talked that down in the seventies. John was very like that in the early part of the 70's though.
Sorry, waffling again. You know me.
PS - I love the picture :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is very cool of Dylan to give props to someone 'uncool' like McCartney (I think he's great BTW). It's a bit like Radiohead praising someone really mainstream like ...erm...Take That?????
ReplyDeletemarv, Bob was also influential to The Beatles because he introduced them to weed.
ReplyDeleteThe Beatles said Dylan influenced them to take more care with their lyrics and Dylan was influenced to go electric. Then as you say Geordie, there was also the pot (and the little Dylan hat that Lennon started wearing!)
ReplyDeleteThe Fab Four transcends time and fashion.
ReplyDeleteDylan is the Bard of Rock.
And lest we forget, the Fabs did it all in a span of 8 years. Just 8 years. Try topping that.
I'm from Malaysia.
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