David Given Schwarm

the scorcesse documentary on Dylan is amazing. Covering the period up to 1966 we see a young man evolve into an artist.

Lisa responded very critically to the period in which Bob was lying to people about his past – his effort to be something that he was not was seen as disengenious, deceptive, even a rejection of where he came from. Lisa felt that in his description of his childhood he did not show enough respect to his parents as well as the state of minnisota.

I am not so sure I agree. But I do see some logic in the concerns about authenticity from the beginning. As Dylan continually challanged reality, expectations, perceptions, and even a belief in what is possible artistically he regularily acted in artistic ways that were difficult, controversial, or even flat out unnerving. However, these are all parts of his art and therefor acceptable. When he moves outside of that and confronts these issues in “real life” my response is not as lauditory – what is he hiding from? Does he really need to lie? that kind of stuff.

All that being said, the show was really first rate, I enjoyed the Baez stuff, the early folkies talking, the stuff with Pete Seeger ruled. Lots of fun.