Washed My Face in the Rivers of Empire

It’s a Bobapalooza!



“Standing in the Doorway,” Bob Dylan
Nobody paints a picture quite like Dylan. Whether it’s a kiss-off song or a song of heartache, his music is something that isn't merely listened to; it's something you inhabit. I’ve always loved that about him. It’s like you can hear his footsteps as he’s walking along. Time Out of Mind is loaded with songs like this. Here he is as Jack Fate in a scene from Masked and Anonymous.

“Sunken Waltz,” Calexico
Calexico is the remedy as we prepare for another brutally cold weekend. I’m always in the mood for that Southwestern vibe. “Sunken Waltz” is the opening number on Feast of Wire, which I highly recommend. I just love the accordion on this track. Joey Burns talks about the tune in a 2004 interview on National Public Radio.

“Song to Woody,” Bob Dylan
I found this really interesting article from a 2001 issue of Sing Out Magazine. It does a great job of outlining Dylan’s influences and highlights the issue of borrowing from source material, particularly when it comes to the folk tradition. Here, Dylan gets a nice introduction from George Harrison in this 1992 appearance.

“Razorblade,” The Strokes
Man, this song just sounds so out of place in this set! Weren’t The Strokes going to save rock and roll around the turn of the century, or something? What we really found out was just how much Albert Hammond, Jr. carried that band.

“Isis,” Bob Dylan
Finally, here’s Dylan from the Rolling Thunder Revue tour, made up in all his glory. His band was absolutely on fire! Has anyone ever seen Renaldo & Clara, the movie that he made during this period? It may not be the finest film ever produced, but at this point it should be considered a fascinating piece of music history.

Did the Shuffle gods shine on you this week?