Dylan at 80

´He changed my world.' Tributes to Bob Dylan at 80, led by Richard and Linda Thompson, Simon Nicol and Bob Fox

On the eve of Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday, Salut! Live is in humble mode. I asked around the folk and folk-rock world for birthday greetings, hoping for the best but fearing the worst. The response has been little short of... Read more →


Dylan at 80: a respectful comparison of Mr Tambourine Man, by Bob and by the Byrds

Mike Amos, the man responsible for my start in journalism (his apology to the world is in the post), insists that the best Bob Dylan cover version is the Byrds' Mr Tambourine Man. I'll grant that it's a contender for... Read more →


Cover Story (2) and Dylan at 80: Don't Think Twice It's All Right. Dylan or Baez

May 2021 update: I am reproducing this - written in the south of France, where I long to be now - as part of Salut! Live’s popular Dylan at 80 series. Stand by for more treats to come. And talking... Read more →


Dylan neat or Dylan beat: when Eddie Vedder sings of war, the master is mastered

Sue Nicholson and I worked together as young reporters on a local paper. She later went successfully into PR, where the role in which I most remember her was as head of communications for Northumbria Police. Away from work, I... Read more →


Dylan neat or Dylan beat: Bob and Sandy, two giants clash again and she wins

Earlier this week, I confessed to having changed a view held for decades. Listening again to Bob Dylan's very early Percy's Song original, I conclude that I had been wrong to consider Fairport Convention's cover, excellent as it was, superior.... Read more →


Dylan neat or Dylan beat: covers from Emmylou Harris, Miley Cyrus and Olivia Newton John

Well, I asked for contributions to this mini-series on Dylan at 80, especially covers of his songs, and they have come a-plenty, here and at Salut! Live's Facebook group, which I urge you to join if you haven't already. Malcolm... Read more →


Dylan neat or Dylan beat: Percy's Song, Bob, Sandy and a battle of musical giants

As my interest began to flag a little while watching the good-in-parts but excessively long Hemingway and Gellhorn, a thought occurred to me. In later stages of the film, some of the antics of the two heroes (played by Clive... Read more →