Novelist Michael Chabon praises Mark's lyric writing

[twm]

Michael Chabon is an American novelist whose second book, "Wonder Boys", was turned into a film. Dylan was asked to write a song for the film. Dylan wrote "Things Have Changed", for which he received his Oscar.

Dylan was recently given an award by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, though he did not turn up to receive it in person.  The address this year was given by Michael Chabon under the title "Rock and Roll". It is difficult to paraphrase his speech but, mainly, it was about the influence of rock lyrics on his own writing. He cites  Dylan, of course, but also several other songwriters. He mentions "Wild West End" at one point, for example, but perhaps more interesting than specifics, he refers to Mark as an under-rated lyricist.

Here's the link if you wish to hear it in full. When you press "Listen" at the bottom, you may have to wait for it to load (I did, anyway) but it's not that long a speech.

http://www.artsandletters.org/ceremonial_blashfield_current.php

[twm]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/bob-dylan-inducted-into-american-academy-of-arts-and-letters-chabon-gives-keynote-speech/2013/05/16/0f1c9d0c-bdf2-11e2-b537-ab47f0325f7c_story.html

[Rkd]

Enjoyable listen. Thanks for sharing. He quotes one of my own favorite MK lyrics. 

Chabon makes a very valid point in regard to the uniquely living nature of song lyrics that become a part of the fabric of who we are in a way that no other literature does.

[Love Expresso]

And does the name of Chabon's latest novel, "Telegraph Avenue" ring a bell at any AMITER's heart?

"...from all of these signs saying sorry but we're closed  all the way  down the Telegraph Avenue..."

LE

[Lis]

Many thanks, twm, for sharing this link!!  I really enjoyed Chabon's speech.  It is all the more special because of the MK references, but this was a very interesting and well-delivered address.   

[Roland Dent]

Wor Marky always was a great song writer.  The reason why he is a great song writer is because

1. He is left handed and uses both sides of his brain.
2. His father was an immigrant and as such Mark would have studied carefully the English language.  A lot of you in the USA have probably forgotton this fact.  The UK academics are totally clueless when it comes to communication anywhere off the Island
3. He trained at the best journalist college in the UK and worked as a journalist.
4. He attended the local law courts in Leeds as reporter and would have picked up many nuances from criminals, lawyers and other truth twisters.

[dmg]

Wor Marky always was a great song writer.  The reason why he is a great song writer is because

1. He is left handed and uses both sides of his brain.
2. His father was an immigrant and as such Mark would have studied carefully the English language.  A lot of you in the USA have probably forgotton this fact.  The UK academics are totally clueless when it comes to communication anywhere off the Island
3. He trained at the best journalist college in the UK and worked as a journalist.
4. He attended the local law courts in Leeds as reporter and would have picked up many nuances from criminals, lawyers and other truth twisters.

Some interesting point there but I don't see how they would make him a good songwriter, more someone proficient in the English language.

BTW as you all will have guessed, I'm right handed!

[Roland Dent]

HaHa yes I am right handed too. I am the son of an immigrant and believe me I have been in some hilarious and yet tragic misunderstandings.  The consequences may not arise for years or hours of a wrong term or word.  Then you get the maleprops and all that stuff.  I am convinced the NYCers are so gruff because they had to get the meaning quick and without frills.  Worth some study..left brain right brain interactions.