I did not have it until many years after you did (I’m 63) but I certainly agree. Every song is tremendous and all of them have aged very well. It’s still a good day for me when I can listen to Highway 61 Revisited start to finish.
Dylan's back-up band... "The Band" was a Canadian-American rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1967. It consisted of Canadians Rick Danko-bass, Garth Hudson-keyboards, Kazoo (this song), Richard Manuel-keyboards, guitars, violin, Robbie Robertson-guitars, and American Levon Helm - drums, mandolin..... What a serious mix of musical genius they were together.
@@michaelbeckwith6177 YT counts all activity on a channel, so I make sure to Like all JM post and leave at least 4 comments. First about the song choice, then my thoughts about his comments, then suggestions. It all helps his channel. He is doing some DAMN GOOD STUFF.... and a lot of my suggestions (over 60 so far)
I saw Bob Dylan with the later-to-be members of the Band in 1966 before his motorcycle crash. He was definitely "freewheelin" in his alternate dimension while Robbie Robertson was dressed like a college kid and the folk purists were shouting "Judas" at him like they did in the Pennebaker film, "Don't Look Back".
@@coinneachmaclellan3121 I've been fortunate to have seen Dylan 3 times. 20 feet away at Cooperstown N.Y..... with Willie Nelson.... Legends together, what a show it was.
You knew this one was going to be another brilliant lyrical masterpiece from the wordsmith like no other. I remember the day I heard this song first time. much like your reaction. I am happy to have started your education process with Robert Allen Zimmerman - Bob Dylan.
JM, you my friend have the Most OUTSTANDING Bob Dylan Playlist of any reactor. Great comments on this song, as usual. Too Cool, again, I just smile, again.
al·le·go·ry noun a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one........ Once again JM.... you nailed it down perfectly.
The instrument is mentioned in "Desolation Row", "They all play on the penny whistles, you can hear them blow"...We had them when we were growing up in the 50's..
Totally agree but I was 15 and when it got to "Desolation Row" I was astonished! Never to be the same again! I love so many of Bob's albums but if I could only hear one it would still be "Highway 61 Revisited"!!!
Highway 61 runs down through the Mississippi delta and all the towns and cities where Blues Music came from and then moved up to the north with the Black movement to jobs in Detroit and Chicago.
The whistle used on Highway 61 is called a "slide whistle" or "siren whistle". Al Kooper, who was quite a trickster, brought it into the session and blew it, unprompted while recording. Everyone was shocked but it was in the tongue in cheek rolicking humor of the song and Dylan left it on the recording.
Highway 61 is a real road that goes northeast along the north shore of Lake Superior from Duluth, near where Bob grew up. He didn't have a very positive view of the place, apparently :)
Yes, it's a U.S. Highway that runs from Canadian border to New Orleans, basically following the Mississippi River most of the way. It was local to the environs where Dylan grew up in Minnesota, but is most famous for the stretch that runs through the Mississippi Delta region of northwest Mississippi where it is nicknamed The Blues Highway since this area is considered where blues music originated.
"Forever Young"... "Knockin On Heavens Door".... "Lay Lady Lay"....should be the next added from The Master Story Teller. Each is distinctively unique as all of Dylan's tunes.
I’m envious of anyone who don’t recognize the sound of a siren. After living most of life in NYC it is too familiar. Even though this one was done with a siren whistle.
Highway 61 is a real place. Before the Interstate from Duluth to Minneapolis was built, it was the highway you would take. Dylan going from Hibbing HS down to the University of Minnesota would have to take 61 to school. The highway was also his route to New Orleans from Minneapolis.
"Highway 61 Revisited" God said to Abraham, "kill me a son" Abe say, "man, you must be putting me on" God say, "no", and Abe say, "what?" God say, "you can do what you want Abe, but" "Next time you see me comin', man, you better run" Abe said, "where do you want this killing done?" God said, "out on Highway 61" Georgia Sam, he had a bloody nose Welfare Department they wouldn't give him no clothes He asked poor Howard where can I go Howard said, "man, there's only one place I know" Sam said, "tell me quick, man, I got to run" Ol' Howard just pointed with his gun And said, "that way down on Highway 61" Mack the Finger said to Louie the King "I got forty red white and blue shoe strings" "And a thousand telephones that will not ring" "Tell me, man, where I can get rid of these things" And Louie the King said, "let me think for a minute, son" And he said, "yes, I believe it can be easily done" "Just take everything down to Highway 61" Well, the fifth daughter on the twelfth night Told the first father that things weren't right My complexion she said is much too white He said, "come here and step into the light" He said, "yes, you're right" "I'm gonna tell the second mother this has been done" But the second mother was with the seventh son And they were both out on Highway 61 Now the rovin' gambler, he was very bored He was tryin' to create a next world war He found a promoter who almost fell off the floor He said "I never engaged in this kind of thing before" "But yes, I think it can be very easily done" " 'Cause we'll put some bleachers out in the sun" "And have it on Highway 61" Ah, yeah Out on Highway 61 Yeah, pull over, baby
Just FYI: The highway 61 Dylan refers to is a real highway--it goes through Duluth (where Dylan was born) and up the north shore of Lake Superior. Dylan is well known for writing allegories--lots of layers of symbolism, like Desolation Row. But there are times when he writes straightforward stuff, too. And frequently other artists did better covers of his songs. Here's a sampling: "Girl From the North Country" (th-cam.com/video/JncbFS5ek74/w-d-xo.html) Dylan doing an early love song he wrote. "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" (th-cam.com/video/mqCbcOsWLVk/w-d-xo.html) Judy Collins covering a Dylan song from the Highway 61 Revisited album. "When I Paint My Masterpiece" (th-cam.com/video/BYaLUzdyWWI/w-d-xo.html) The Band covering a Dylan song about his world tour in 1964. "Tangled Up In Blue" (th-cam.com/video/QKcNyMBw818/w-d-xo.html) Dylan doing a ballad he wrote after his divorce.
Highway 61 may run north to Lake Superior from Duluth. but more importantly, it runs south to New Orleans. The music highway. Runs through Memphis, the Mississippi Delta, and was also a route for black musicians to travel north. The birth of the blues, the deaths of Elvis and MLK all happened along Highway 61.
I couldn't believe my ears the first time I heard the first verse. No sweat. No matter what's been done, how useless it is, or how badly you want it forgotten, just throw it out in highway 61. I'm not sure if it's a fun place or the worst place on earth, kind of like Desolation Row.
They are two opposite places. Highway 61 in the song stands for the most extreme depravity of American Society at the time where having a world war for $$ is normalized. ("We had to destroy the c ity in order to save it".) This and Tombstone Blues have the same wild, frenetic energy that mirrors the madness of the landscape. Desolation Row, by contrast, is the place of sanctuary where the artist retreats to, winding down after his furious assault on that society. He is still observing the dysfunction in the form of literary, religious, cultural and historical figures all out of place, but DR is beyond all of that. Dylan's final words to his audience on the LP are, "you either get it or you don't. If you get it, you have to come from Desolation Row, seeing what I see." "All these people that you mention, yes, I know them, they're quite lame I had to rearrange their faces and give them all another name Right now, I can't read too good, don't send me no more letters no Not unless you mail them from Desolation Row." Dylan would never say "join me on Highway 61."
I bought the album "Highway 61 Revisited" in 1965 and I was mesmerized by the sheer genius of every song and 58years later I'm still mesmerized!
I did not have it until many years after you did (I’m 63) but I certainly agree. Every song is tremendous and all of them have aged very well. It’s still a good day for me when I can listen to Highway 61 Revisited start to finish.
Bob is an American treasure. He has always spoken out against injustice of all kinds.
Dylan's back-up band... "The Band" was a Canadian-American rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1967. It consisted of Canadians Rick Danko-bass, Garth Hudson-keyboards, Kazoo (this song), Richard Manuel-keyboards, guitars, violin, Robbie Robertson-guitars, and American Levon Helm - drums, mandolin..... What a serious mix of musical genius they were together.
Thanks for all your comments and I saw Bob with THE BAND back in the day!!
@@michaelbeckwith6177 YT counts all activity on a channel, so I make sure to Like all JM post and leave at least 4 comments. First about the song choice, then my thoughts about his comments, then suggestions. It all helps his channel. He is doing some DAMN GOOD STUFF.... and a lot of my suggestions (over 60 so far)
I saw Bob Dylan with the later-to-be members of the Band in 1966 before his motorcycle crash. He was definitely "freewheelin" in his alternate dimension while Robbie Robertson was dressed like a college kid and the folk purists were shouting "Judas" at him like they did in the Pennebaker film, "Don't Look Back".
@@coinneachmaclellan3121 I've been fortunate to have seen Dylan 3 times. 20 feet away at Cooperstown N.Y..... with Willie Nelson.... Legends together, what a show it was.
And spare drummer, Mickey..
You knew this one was going to be another brilliant lyrical masterpiece from the wordsmith like no other. I remember the day I heard this song first time. much like your reaction. I am happy to have started your education process with Robert Allen Zimmerman - Bob Dylan.
Very good reaction and interpretation.
I have had one of those siren whistles for nearly 50 years, it's been fun!😎
Love it its from a great album
JM, you my friend have the Most OUTSTANDING Bob Dylan Playlist of any reactor. Great comments on this song, as usual. Too Cool, again, I just smile, again.
JM, I like your thoughtful, insightful comments to the music I grew up with. 'Scribed, greetings from Canada.
al·le·go·ry
noun
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one........ Once again JM.... you nailed it down perfectly.
The instrument is mentioned in "Desolation Row", "They all play on the penny whistles, you can hear them blow"...We had them when we were growing up in the 50's..
Check out Bob Dylans 2000 classic Oscar/Globe winning song - Things Have Changed
Good call-out comparing it to Desolation Row. They were both on the same album.
Imagine knowing every word to every song on that album... at 13 years old. Those were life changing events happening often back then.
Totally agree but I was 15 and when it got to "Desolation Row" I was astonished! Never to be the same again! I love so many of Bob's albums but if I could only hear one it would still be "Highway 61 Revisited"!!!
Same.
Highway 61 runs down through the Mississippi delta and all the towns and cities where Blues Music came from and then moved up to the north with the Black movement to jobs in Detroit and Chicago.
That a police siren whistle making the whistle sound.
The opening part about God asking Abraham to kill his son for him was in the Bible.
The whistle used on Highway 61 is called a "slide whistle" or "siren whistle". Al Kooper, who was quite a trickster, brought it into the session and blew it, unprompted while recording. Everyone was shocked but it was in the tongue in cheek rolicking humor of the song and Dylan left it on the recording.
Highway 61 is a real road that goes northeast along the north shore of Lake Superior from Duluth, near where Bob grew up. He didn't have a very positive view of the place, apparently :)
Yes, it's a U.S. Highway that runs from Canadian border to New Orleans, basically following the Mississippi River most of the way. It was local to the environs where Dylan grew up in Minnesota, but is most famous for the stretch that runs through the Mississippi Delta region of northwest Mississippi where it is nicknamed The Blues Highway since this area is considered where blues music originated.
"Forever Young"... "Knockin On Heavens Door".... "Lay Lady Lay"....should be the next added from The Master Story Teller. Each is distinctively unique as all of Dylan's tunes.
I bought this on cassette in college because it was a classic album. I stopped playing it when I thought I might break the tape from overuse….
I’m envious of anyone who don’t recognize the sound of a siren. After living most of life in NYC it is too familiar. Even though this one was done with a siren whistle.
Highway 61 is a real place. Before the Interstate from Duluth to Minneapolis was built, it was the highway you would take. Dylan going from Hibbing HS down to the University of Minnesota would have to take 61 to school. The highway was also his route to New Orleans from Minneapolis.
...and the seeds of Punk were sprouted around this time .....
Mid 60s, amphetamine-fueled Dylan was peak creativity
And a shitload of nicotine!
Ren- Hi Ren….
“When the Curtain Falls”and “Edge of Darkness”
Greta Van Fleet PLEASE PLEASE 🙏
"Highway 61 Revisited"
God said to Abraham, "kill me a son"
Abe say, "man, you must be putting me on"
God say, "no", and Abe say, "what?"
God say, "you can do what you want Abe, but"
"Next time you see me comin', man, you better run"
Abe said, "where do you want this killing done?"
God said, "out on Highway 61"
Georgia Sam, he had a bloody nose
Welfare Department they wouldn't give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard where can I go
Howard said, "man, there's only one place I know"
Sam said, "tell me quick, man, I got to run"
Ol' Howard just pointed with his gun
And said, "that way down on Highway 61"
Mack the Finger said to Louie the King
"I got forty red white and blue shoe strings"
"And a thousand telephones that will not ring"
"Tell me, man, where I can get rid of these things"
And Louie the King said, "let me think for a minute, son"
And he said, "yes, I believe it can be easily done"
"Just take everything down to Highway 61"
Well, the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren't right
My complexion she said is much too white
He said, "come here and step into the light"
He said, "yes, you're right"
"I'm gonna tell the second mother this has been done"
But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61
Now the rovin' gambler, he was very bored
He was tryin' to create a next world war
He found a promoter who almost fell off the floor
He said "I never engaged in this kind of thing before"
"But yes, I think it can be very easily done"
" 'Cause we'll put some bleachers out in the sun"
"And have it on Highway 61"
Ah, yeah
Out on Highway 61
Yeah, pull over, baby
Just FYI: The highway 61 Dylan refers to is a real highway--it goes through Duluth (where Dylan was born) and up the north shore of Lake Superior. Dylan is well known for writing allegories--lots of layers of symbolism, like Desolation Row. But there are times when he writes straightforward stuff, too. And frequently other artists did better covers of his songs. Here's a sampling:
"Girl From the North Country" (th-cam.com/video/JncbFS5ek74/w-d-xo.html) Dylan doing an early love song he wrote.
"Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" (th-cam.com/video/mqCbcOsWLVk/w-d-xo.html) Judy Collins covering a Dylan song from the Highway 61 Revisited album.
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" (th-cam.com/video/BYaLUzdyWWI/w-d-xo.html) The Band covering a Dylan song about his world tour in 1964.
"Tangled Up In Blue" (th-cam.com/video/QKcNyMBw818/w-d-xo.html) Dylan doing a ballad he wrote after his divorce.
Highway 61 may run north to Lake Superior from Duluth. but more importantly, it runs south to New Orleans. The music highway. Runs through Memphis, the Mississippi Delta, and was also a route for black musicians to travel north. The birth of the blues, the deaths of Elvis and MLK all happened along Highway 61.
Kazoo
I couldn't believe my ears the first time I heard the first verse.
No sweat. No matter what's been done, how useless it is, or how badly you want it forgotten, just throw it out in highway 61. I'm not sure if it's a fun place or the worst place on earth, kind of like Desolation Row.
They are two opposite places. Highway 61 in the song stands for the most extreme depravity of American Society at the time where having a world war for $$ is normalized. ("We had to destroy the c ity in order to save it".) This and Tombstone Blues have the same wild, frenetic energy that mirrors the madness of the landscape.
Desolation Row, by contrast, is the place of sanctuary where the artist retreats to, winding down after his furious assault on that society. He is still observing the dysfunction in the form of literary, religious, cultural and historical figures all out of place, but DR is beyond all of that. Dylan's final words to his audience on the LP are, "you either get it or you don't. If you get it, you have to come from Desolation Row, seeing what I see."
"All these people that you mention, yes, I know them, they're quite lame
I had to rearrange their faces and give them all another name
Right now, I can't read too good, don't send me no more letters no
Not unless you mail them from Desolation Row."
Dylan would never say "join me on Highway 61."
Young Man - no clue.
Ummm... I enjoyed your reaction - but I am surprised you don't grock what and where highway 61 is