Ch 15

[Henry Musikar]

Joseph, it's beginning to sound like you enjoy argument for arguments sake,
like an 19th century rabbi.   There has never been a piece of music
universally accepted.  Joey was a top 40 hit, and many people's view of
Gallo were influenced by Dylan's song, particularly as it was a parallel to
his "Story of the Hurricane," which practically single-handedly got Rubin
Carter his new trial !  That said, Dylan's lyrics are not drivel, but
neither are his lyrics great poetry; they're not even up to former actual
poet Leonard Cohen's quality.  But I enjoy it because of the music!

He threw the table over to protect his family,
then staggered out into the streets of Little Italy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwQ1i-5D3Xw 

Daisy, daisy, give me your answer do.
Boop, boop, dittum, dottem, whatem, choo!

Henry Mu
http://astore.amazon.com/tdcoccamsaxe-20/  

-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Tracy


On Apr 14, 2009, at 5:29 PM, rich wrote:
>
> Wagner's music is wonderful (w/o the singing mind you)--the Lohengrin,
> Rienzi, Tristan preludes and much of the Ring is really unique stuff.
> Not sure what u mean by saying the music exactly where it belongs (the
> bugs stuff is great, yes)--sure, its bombastic but beautiful in many
> parts.
The fact that I don't like listening to Wagner doesn't mean much  
about his artistic achievements. Musical tastes are pretty personal.  
I don't see mine as correct, just mine.
> you said:  Can anyone give me an example of  a single bit of nonsense
> that has only been accepted through the medium of music?
>
> one example: I'd say 'Joey' by Bob Dylan--great song but an utter wack
> job in all other respects--an elegy for a thug (i can't detect any
> irony in the delivery). hard not laugh when I listen to it
> best

The song was a collaboration with Jacques Levy . I agree it is a good  
song that is not credible as a story, and I thought so before I knew   
who the character was ( the literate criminal and hit man, Joey  
Gallo). But there are movies and books and poems aplenty that glorify  
killers.  Dylan didn't get this version out of thin air,  According  
to the Wikipedia aticle about Desire, he heard it from an actor who  
knew Gallo and played his part in a movie, and the song was greeted  
with a lot of ridicule from critics, so it was hardly "accepted"    
just because he put it to music.






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