10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This guy CAN (and does!) sing Dylan!, March 28, 2004
This review is from: Robyn Sings (Audio CD)
There is an old saying in Dylan circles: "Nobody can sing Dylan like Dylan". That is not true on this live recording!
I have to strongly disagree with the previous reviews. Robyn recreates these Dylan songs and makes them his own. And believe me, this recording will not stay up on my shelf only after a couple of "spins"! (No offense!)
It is great to hear Robyn sing "Ballad of a Thin Man" and this song has to be the highlight of the CD for me. He has a very 'thick' British accent that adds to the recording and makes the song(s) sound fresh.
To be honest, I am more of a Dylan fan than a fan of Robyn's. They are both very different in their own right and I respect Robyn's music greatly. Having said that, I believe this recording will 'turn on' quite a few Dylan fans to Roybn's music (past and present).
Final word: Even if you are not a Dylan fan, this recording 'works'and is worth every penny. Just have a listen to 'Ballad of a Thin Man'!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Completists Only Need Apply, May 3, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Robyn Sings (Audio CD)
When Robyn & The Soft Boys came through town last winter, he closed the show with an 11 minute version of "Stuck In Side of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again". Didn't miss a word. Which was impressive in itself. Suffice it to say, it was a rousing faithful rendition. It was great but don't get your hopes up---it's not on here. So I was none too surprized to discover he put this out. If he were on a major label, it would be a bootleg. Cos' they'd never let him put this out. And that's the best way to approach this recording. A coveted bootleg. The kind you listen to once or twice & then display proudly on your cd rack for all eternity. He did this one for himself. At times his singing is gleefully over the top & at times painful to listen to. He's obviously obsessed with "Visions Of Johanna" and the closer version is better than the opener in my book. He fares well on "Not Dark", "Baby Blue" & "Dignity" though. I think if he had taken on more obscure numbers this would be a bit more interesting than it already is. In regards to his spare, ballsy take on "Desolation Row", I can't but wonder if he didn't have ol' Bob himself in the studio tossing off cue cards. The 2nd disc of the Royal Albert Hall bootleg is a testament to Hitchcock's uncomprimising eccentricity. Though not essential, it all serves as a nice warm-up for the forthcoming LUXOR (which I've already ordered on Amazon UK). Browsing through Hithcock's back catalogue, it's depressing to see so many "out of stocks". Needless to say, it's like wee Tiny Tim pressing his sniveling nose up to a shop window & gazing in awe & envy at all the goodies he cannot have. So straved fans will not be able to resist this tiny bauble. Just keep in mind, all that glitters is not gold.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The BIG picture is that this is an absolute MUST HAVE, January 16, 2007
This review is from: Robyn Sings (Audio CD)
I'm years behind on this review, but I see that this set is unjustly rated!
Assign a value between 1 & 10 on the following criteria: Robyn Hitchcock, Bob Dylan, The Importance of Good Song-writing. If your average rates 6 or higher than you must own this collection. To me:
Robyn - I love Robyn! He is, at this very moment, one of the most entertaining performers on stage and his current song-writing is LIGHT YEARS beyond Dylan's current. I am, however, not oblivious to the sub-par albums and I don't own two, and next-to-never go back to two others. He's a 9, though.
Dylan - Can't stand his voice. Past, and most definitely not present! 3 songs in and I want to destroy my ear canal with a screw-driver. "Nobody sings Dylan like Dylan"? Yeah? GOOD!! Nobody sings Tiny Tim like Tiny Tim, either! Before buying this set, I gave him a 2 mostly due to the Wilbury's stuff.
Good Song-writing is an easy 10! ANY great song should be heard by ANY means necessary. If "A Day In The Life" needs a hip-hop/rap re-make in order to reach otherwise unknowing ears, than let it be!!
So, I bought this record when it was released, and have been thoroughly educated on Dylan's song-writing talent. Over the years, I've gradually accepted his gift through covers (Wire Train, 16 Horsepower, Aztec Camera, etc...), but this set validated his legendary status in my ears.
I have given this set as a gift 9 times with 100% success: to Dylan purists, who are now Hitchcock fans...to Dylan avoiders (like my previous self) who now get it...and to fans of great song-writing by any means necessary. I play this set on a regular basis in my high-traffic, art gallery. I have, on dozens of occassions, written this set down on the back of a business card. Maybe somebody owes me some kick-back, but Dylan DEFINITELY owes Hitchcock a 'Thank You' card!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
