I am so tired of hearing people whine about Dylan being a “bad” singer or “crappy” (average, whatever) guitar player when, in fact, the opposite could not be more true. Sure, the timbre of Bob Dylan’s voice is not ‘sweet’ or traditionally beautiful, but his singing is nearly always in tune. There are some exceptions, of course, but I’m almost certain that they are intentional or at least self aware. Also, he’s a great guitar player, maybe not in the sense that someone like Jimmy Page or Jeff Beck is, but great nonetheless. First of all, his fingerpicking (and arrangements thereof) are excellent, but regardless of technical skill, his playing is interesting, which is more than many supposedly great guitar players can say for themselves. This, really, is the reason that Bob Dylan is a great artist - his music is interesting; his voice, his playing, his lyrics (which are obviously amazing). Three chords and something to say is a hell of a lot more valuable than emotionally vacant shredding. You can have all the chops in the world, but if you don’t have anything to express they’re worthless.
— Reddit. (Good old Reddit)
- Interviewer: Give us your best tip for overcoming depression.
- Stephen Fry: To regard it as being like the weather. It's not your responsibility that it's raining, but it is real when it rains, and the fact that it's raining does not mean that the rain is never going to stop. The only thing to do is to believe that, one day, it won't be raining and accept it so you can find a mental umbrella to shield yourself from the worst. The sun will eventually come up.
