There are unconfirmed reports  that Bob may be playing Galway , Ireland on the next European Tour-Dear God I hope so

Check ER for more unconfirmed dates

Bob gets a kiss from a woman who jumps on stage at Sao Paolo and what does he say, that he wants to give her his hat!! (yeah right!)

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BOB DYLAN’S AMERICAN JOURNEY, 1956–1966
February 8–June 8
The Skirball, Los Angelos

Few figures in the history of American popular culture have attained the status of Bob Dylan. To critics and fans the world over, his distinctly American body of work matches the legacies of Walt Whitman, Louis Armstrong and his own early hero, Woody Guthrie. Don’t miss the Los Angeles presentation—and final stop!—of this acclaimed exhibition, organized by Seattle’s Experience Music Project.

Featuring more than 160 artifacts, including Dylan’s handwritten drafts of classic songs, rare concert posters and a recording of his first concert, which has never been commercially released, Bob Dylan’s American Journey, 1956–1966 focuses on the first decade of his celebrated career. From his beginnings as Robert Zimmerman in the post-war industrial town of Hibbing, Minnesota, to his debut on the Greenwich Village folk scene, to his rise to unprecedented fame as the rock star/poet who “electrified” contemporary songwriting, the exhibition chronicles Dylan’s first ten years as a public figure, an artistic innovator, and a compelling voice of social conscience.

The Skirball presentation of the exhibition will be complemented by a newly developed satellite exhibit, which will offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the creative process. Simulate playing along with Dylan on keyboards, electric and acoustic guitars, drums and organs, as well as experiment with a mixing board on an authentic Dylan recording.

ADVANCE TICKETS: Advance tickets to Bob Dylan’s American Journey, 1956–1966 are recommended, and timed entry is required of all visitors. Advance, timed-entry tickets available online at www.skirball.org or by phone at (866) SCC-4TIX or (866) 722-4849.

$10 General
$7 Seniors and Full-Time Students
$5 Children 2–12
Free to Skirball Members and Children under 2

From Douglas R. Gilbert:

“Just released! Posters of many of Douglas R. Gilbert’s photographs used in the book, Forever Young: Photographs of Bob Dylan (DeCapo Press, 2005), are now available as posters. The growing selection is available for purchase, starting as low as $21.99, at: www.cafepress.com/douglasrgilbert

Thanks!”

Condolences to the family of the very talented actor Heath Ledger who died yesterday. Among other more famous roles, Heath also played the role of Robbie in Im Not There. It’s a sad loss.

Theme Time Hour will soon be available on CD!

Ace Records are releasing the authorised CD from the “Theme Time Radio Hour” in March this year. Produced by Eddie Gorodetsky and Ace’s own Roger Armstrong the 2 CD set is based around 828 tracks played by Bob Dylan in the 50 episodes of the first series.

With 50 tracks, ranging from “Papa’s On The Housetop’ by Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell-recorded in 1930-to Mary Gauthier’s “I Drink”-recorded in 2005, artists include The White Stripes, Grandpa Jones, Jerry Butler, The Clash, Memphis Minnie, Bobby Darin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Modern Lovers, Billie Holiday, George Jones, Bo Diddley, Alton Ellis, Louis Jordan, Santiago Jimenez, James Carr, Gerraint Watkins, Slim Gaillard and Otis Rush.

Ace Records Website

Thanks to Neil Scaplehorn (Ace Records) for the info.

Here’s what Rolling Stone had to say about I’m Not There and Cate Blanchett’s performance as Jude/Bob.  Generally the RS reviewer can see no wrong in this movie. While I agree that Cate Blanchett is amazing, I thought Christian Bale’s performance was woeful, ditto Richard Gere, but the Woody section with Marcus Carl Franklin was magical. Heath Ledger and Charlotte Gainsbourg fared better, but would Dylan really want to be ‘represented’ as a guy who thinks and says that women cant write???

Check out this fab book by Dunstan Prial about Columbia music producer John Hammond, who after all discovered Bob Dylan!

Quote from the book: “His genius has been the acuity of his vision of American life, his ability to internalize his observations and experiences, and his artistry in retelling them in a penetrating and dramatic poetry that overwhelms his hearers. With persistence and intensity he has opposed war profiteers, lynchers, racists, and all forms of injustice…He helped shape the attitudes of a generation, and God knows his unique and uncompromising albums transformed Columbia Records.” (Hammond on Dylan)

Review from Variety.com

Special thanks to Mike Pascuzzi and Dunstan Prial.

Cate Blanchett has won the Golden Globe for best supporting actress in a film for playing music legend Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes’s intriguing movie I’m Not There.

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Here are two likely gigs I discovered on Facebook:

Friday, February 29: Arena Monterrey, Monterrey. 8pm.

Tuesday, March 11: Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo, Chile. 8pm.