In the Tower of Song

By Colton Claye

Part 1

Perhaps you’ve wondered why Bob Dylan was given a Nobel Prize in literature, and nearly every musician cites him as an influence. Maybe you are wondering who the guy listed as songwriter on “Hallelujah” is. Or why Brandi Carlile is always jammin’ with Joni.  Here are a few suggestions that represent a few writers often celebrated as among the best and most influential.

Bob Dylan

 It is only appropriate to begin with Bob Dylan. Most things in music, and art, in general, are a matter of taste, but some things are not subjective – Bob Dylan absolutely liberated lyricism and expanded what nearly every style of music could contain. His second album (and his first to contain mostly original songs), The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, is an ideal place to start. This is the folk-singer Bob Dylan, and it contains a few songs that quickly became standards. As you listen, it is worth keeping in mind that this is a 21-year-old who wrote and recorded these songs and that this is 1963. The writing is far beyond what you will get from most people at that age, or any age. And his voice, yes THAT voice, “The voice of a generation” to some, torture to listen to for others, sounds much older than 21 as he already had a gift for phrasing as a singer.

Bringing it all back home, which arrived just a of couple years later, upset the folk music faithful and some of his fanbase at the time. This is where he began performing with a band and “went electric.” Side 1 is the electric side and Side 2 is acoustic and even his writing changed on here, much more poetic. “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” is a remarkable song which features one of his rapid-fire vocals, turning out brilliant line after brilliant line over folk-blues riffs.

And Blood on the tracks is yet another of the many changes he took with his writing. He jumps into the singer-songwriter era that he paved the way for and shows he not only can still deliver here, but he can once again take it somewhere new. The music is more stripped down and lyrically he changes directions again; some songs change perspectives, and he also plays with time and space.

Along with those albums, I would recommend a few additional songs:

 “Only a Pawn in Their game”, “Like a Rolling Stone”, “Jokerman” and “Pay in Blood”.

Leonard Cohen

There was a point where even Leonard Cohen thought it might be time for a moratorium on the song “Hallelujah.” Certainly, you have heard at least one version of this song, and there’s a reason it resonates with a large and diverse list of musicians who have given it their own treatment. Much in Cohen’s catalog explores just how close the sacred and profane really are.  There is no better place to introduce yourself to the music of Leonard Cohen than his album Live in London. This 2 ½ hour concert document from 2009 covers all the highlights of his impressive catalog and with an outstanding band that is able to support early songs with sparse arrangements from songs such as “Famous Blue Raincoat” to his 80s style productions such as “First We Take Manhattan.”

Leonard didn’t start recording music until his 30s. He had established himself as a poet and that approach shows in his songwriting, so I will also suggest taking a look at his poetry and “Kanye West is not Picasso” is a fine example.

Joni MItchell

Joni carved out her own path, and paved the way for others, in a field that was dominated by men. Joni was practically alone in establishing a singer-songwriter career as a female and that makes me appreciate the unflinching honesty in her lyrics even more. Throughout her career she examined her flaws and those of the culture around her. She would also share the joys, and sometimes that upset her fan base even more, which might sound odd, but there was indeed criticism when her albums celebrated comfort or being in love. But she just continued writing about what she felt.

Two albums that will give you some career highlights and show some of her widely varied taste in sound would be: Blue and Court and Spark. Both are considered among the best albums ever made. Blue is near the end of her strictly acoustic sound.  It is so personal that even Kris Kristofferson feared she was putting too much of herself out there.

Joni went jazz on Court and Spark and, like Dylan, she didn't make everyone happy by changing her sound. The album is a superb showcase of songwriting and music.

Along with those albums I would suggest checking out a few singles that show some additional facets of Joni- “Both Sides Now”, “Sex Kills” and “Dog Eat Dog”.

Lou Reed

Lou doesn’t get enough credit for how much he expanded the boundaries of lyricism. From the start, his writing on The Velvet Underground’s debut showed a dark side to the Summer of Love’s sex and drugs- there is a risk and a cost that comes with freedom. Of course that didn’t sell as much, but he continued to shine a light on that which was unfairly marginalized and on that which unfairly did the marginalizing.

The Transformer album must be recommended. Much credit goes to David Bowie’s production and vocal additions as he knew how to capture the spirit of these songs. And my biggest recommendation is Lou’s New York album. This is a masterpiece in songwriting and performance, and it is Lou’s finest hour.

In addition, I would recommend the songs “Venus in Furs”, “Sweet Jane” and “Set the Twilight Reeling.”

Paul Simon

The talent  of Paul Simon can partly be expressed in his understanding that he was at a disadvantage as a vocalist compared to Dylan, because Bob Dylan’s voice doesn’t always make him sound trustworthy, while Paul knew he sounded believable and so he would have to be a different sort of writer.  In his words and music, he has a way of using both the simple and familiar and contrasting that with the unexpected, getting the listener involved by making us seek a resolution.

The album Graceland is Paul at his best and would be THE place to start exploring his music.  There is his signature mix of humor and earnestness. And there is his blend of African and Zydeco sounds that seems to serve as example of how things can mix and get along.

Then, why not check out Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits, how can’t I recommend that as an intro into that era of his career?

About the author
Colton Claye is a writer, musician, activist, and hunt saboteur.