dylan

Bob Dylan is the uncontested illustrious poet of the rock and roll era and the pre-eminent singer/songwriter of modern times. Whether singing a typical folk song, exploring rootsy rock and blues, or delivering one of his more abstract, allegorical compositions, Dylan has consistently demonstrated the rare ability to reach and affect listeners with thoughtful, sophisticated lyrics. Dylan re-energized the folk-music genre in the early Sixties; brought about the lyrical maturation of rock and roll when he went electric at mid-decade; and bridged the worlds of rock and country by recording in Nashville throughout the latter half of the Sixties. As much as he’s played the role of renegade throughout his career, Dylan has also kept the rock and roll community mindful of its roots by returning to them. With his songs, Dylan has provided a running commentary on our restless age. His biting, imagistic and often cryptic lyrics served to capture and define the mood of a generation. For this, he’s been elevated to the role of spokesmen - and yet the elusive Dylan won’t even admit to being a poet. “I don’t call myself a poet because I don’t like the word,” he has said. “I’m a trapeze artist.” On April 7, 2008, Bob Dylan was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, making him the first rock and roll musician to be accorded this high journalistic honor. The Hurricane is one of my favorite Dylan songs. It tells the story of legendary boxer Rubin Carter and his controversial convictions, and release after 20 years, for three June 1966 murders in New Jersey. The question of Carter’s actual guilt or innocence remains a strongly polarizing one. However, this much is certain: either the American criminal justice system released a triple murderer from punishment, or it wrongfully imprisoned an innocent man for almost 20 years. From what I've read about it, I think he was wrongly accused.  

the black keys

The Akron, Ohio-based duo, The Black Keys, is well known for its concentrated, hermetic approach to recording, hunkering down with rudimentary equipment in an unfinished basement or commandeering the floor of a vacant local rubber factory to create terse but soulful rock that seems to have time-traveled into the pair's amps from some long-ago radio show. The Black Keys blues rock catalogue is pure rock'n'roll goodness. The key to Auerbach's success comes from American primitivism (the genre tag applied to guitarist John Fahey in the late 50s). He has the ability to unleash passion and anger through his playing, creating a rock'n'roll aesthetic that is defined not by its purity, but rather the soulfulness and essential fun of pure, drone-heavy electric blues. A must-listen especially if you like The Stooges, The White Stripes, or The Raconteurs.

the boss

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are one of the most notoriously ripping live rock bands on the planet, legendary for their marathon performances (3-4 hours straight), mind-meld timing and brotherly vibe. Springsteen has long had the nickname "The Boss," a term which he was initially reported to dislike but now seems to have come to terms with, as he sometimes jokingly refers to himself as such on stage. The nickname originated when a young Springsteen, playing club gigs with a band in the 1960s, took on the task of collecting the band's nightly pay and distributing it amongst his bandmates, unlike members of other bands they are paid a wage by Bruce, rather than getting a share of theprofits from album sales and tours. In 1999 Bruce was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. For anyone who saw their 12 minute bash during the Superbowl halftime show knows that The Boss can still deliver. Bruce just released his latest album, Working On A Dream, and has proven that he still has what it takes to be one of the greatest rock 'n' roll artists in history.