Studium Generale’s lecture (in English) on Bob Dylan will be given by University of Groningen Professor Martin van Hees. Van Hees is a philosopher and writes a column in the Dylan fanzine, ‘Judas’. The lecture is on Monday, February 21st at Speakers, entry is free.
Professor van Hees, how do you explain Bob Dylan’s appeal and relevance to new audiences?
“Partly it’s because his recent work (‘Love and theft’; ‘Time out of mind) is really vintage-Dylan. Another reason may be the fact that he has really become an American icon and has been touring constantly since 1989, making him a real modern Troubadour.”
What if any political messages in Dylan’s songs are still relevant today?
“I’m not sure you can talk about ‘political messages’. But if you say that a defining characteristic of great art is to express or evoke feelings or experiences that seem be of a universal nature, then I surely think that his work is great art.”
Do you think Dylan’s’ lyrics are poetry and worthy of the Nobel Prize consideration they’re getting? “Considered in isolation from the music or singing, I’d be rather hesitant. But if you consider him as a troubadour and see his work as a return to one of the oldest traditions in literature, then I have no doubt that he deserves one.”
Which Dylan album would you recommend to the beginner?
“Ah, there’s so much to enjoy. But I guess it would be Blood on the tracks.”
What areas of Dylan’s life and music will your lecture cover?
“I’ll give a brief overview of his career, the main emphasis being on trying to explain why his work is so great.” (DM)
Professor van Hees, how do you explain Bob Dylan’s appeal and relevance to new audiences?
“Partly it’s because his recent work (‘Love and theft’; ‘Time out of mind) is really vintage-Dylan. Another reason may be the fact that he has really become an American icon and has been touring constantly since 1989, making him a real modern Troubadour.”
What if any political messages in Dylan’s songs are still relevant today?
“I’m not sure you can talk about ‘political messages’. But if you say that a defining characteristic of great art is to express or evoke feelings or experiences that seem be of a universal nature, then I surely think that his work is great art.”
Do you think Dylan’s’ lyrics are poetry and worthy of the Nobel Prize consideration they’re getting? “Considered in isolation from the music or singing, I’d be rather hesitant. But if you consider him as a troubadour and see his work as a return to one of the oldest traditions in literature, then I have no doubt that he deserves one.”
Which Dylan album would you recommend to the beginner?
“Ah, there’s so much to enjoy. But I guess it would be Blood on the tracks.”
What areas of Dylan’s life and music will your lecture cover?
“I’ll give a brief overview of his career, the main emphasis being on trying to explain why his work is so great.” (DM)
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