Bob Dylan turns 70 on May 24.  (This of course assumes that the world didn't end today.  Look at a clock.  If it's after six o'clock in the evening wherever you are, we all made it out alright.  If you're currently on fire and/or with Magic Jesus, Mr. Zimmerman isn't gonna be blowing out any candles.)  I know this because I still get Rolling Stone for free.  (Again, Jann Wenner, thanks for keeping me in the loop.  I'm still waiting on that job offer.  You know where to get me.) 

My initial reaction to the news of Bob's impending semi-sesquicentennial (less five) was, roughly, big deal. 

Then I remembered the amazing video you see above; it's our good friend Phil Cook singing the hell out of a song most closely associated with Dylan; it's prescient reminder that Dylan's music cuts across generational lines.(We know that this cut isn't a Dylan original.  You can take the reference to his music in that last sentence to mean his music and/or his interpretations of traditional folk music; hell, "Alberta #1" is on Self-Portrait, which Dylan has occasionally called an intentional goof.  When the stuff that you may or may not have tossed off can raise the goosebumps, that means something). 

Then I remembered that I love it when the Dead cover Dylan.   There's a whole record of these, but the two below do the job in a pinch. 

Then I remembered that I love when MMJ covers Dylan (below as well, although, obviously, the Jim James song from that movie soundtrack is (probably) a touch superior).  For those of you who don't dig on Dylan quite as much as the rest of us, there's a bit of a bonus at the end of that MMJ track, so keep your ears perked.

Then I remembered that Music from Big Pink is on the list (if that video doesn't make you appreciate Richard Manuel a bit more than you did a minute ago, I've got no answers for you). 

And so on. 

All this to say that Mr. Bob Dylan is important (I feel like I'm really breaking some journalistic ground with that particular pronouncement). 

Happy birthday, sailor.  I'll be listening to John Wesley Harding on Tuesday if you need anything.

Grateful Dead – Maggie's Farm – Live – 1993

Grateful Dead – When I Paint My Masterpiece – Live – 1989

My Morning Jacket – Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You (+ a bonus)