With the late great D. Boon still on the mind (see yesterday’s Manic Monday), showcasing one of his favorite artists who was a big influence on this writing, the one and only Bob Dylan. And, although it might seem like an odd comparison, come to think of it, both Boon and Dylan actually had a lot in common. They were both singular, innovative artists who blazed their path and defied expectations by expanding the traditional boundaries of their respective genres into exciting new territory.
Boon, for example, challenged what punk rock could sound like by rarely using distortion and incorporating elements of blues, surf, and even polka into the Minutemen’s diverse repertoire, and of course Dylan quickly transcended traditional folk music almost as soon as he completely revolutionized it in the 60s. Granted, it goes without saying that Bob Dylan is kind of in his own category, so perhaps the comparison is a bit of a stretch, but there were certainly similarities between the two kindred spirits, nonetheless. Whatever the case, any excuse to showcase classic Dylan footage from his infamous 1966 world tour (which encountered an absurd level of hostility from traditional folkies) is well worth the cause, as this haunting performance of “Visions of Johanna” aptly demonstrates.
