Bob Dylan’s Christmas In the Heart

Charity — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:41:50 +0000

Bob Dylan released a Christmas album and I was just reading an interview with him about it from The Big Issue. I thought it was kind of funny. The interviewer kept asking questions that were meant to add depth to what Dylan was doing, but his answers seemed to refute that image. I found that comical. It was like an example of how journalists – all of us, really – tend to make so much more out of celebrities than there really is. You know, over-analyze. That, and take themselves too seriously.

I’m one to talk. Over-analyze is my middle name. I don’t take myself too seriously, though. If anything, I don’t take myself seriously enough.

I’m not a big Bob Dylan fan, so that may be why I don’t get what the big deal is that he recorded the songs traditionally, but I totally get why he did. They are Christmas songs. If they are not recorded traditionally, there is really little point to them.

You played this right down the middle, doing classic holiday songs in traditional arrangements. Did you know going in you wanted to play it straight?
Oh sure, there wasn’t any other way to play it. These songs are part of my life, just like folk songs. You have to play them straight too.

My favorite line in the piece has to be this next one. I just thought it was a great line.

The Chicago Tribune felt this record needed more irreverence. Doesn’t that miss the point?
Well sure it does, that’s an irresponsible statement anyway. Isn’t there enough irreverence in the world? Who would need more? Especially at Christmas time.

You can buy Christmas In the Heart at Amazon.com. “All of Bob Dylan’s U.S. current and future royalties from sales of Christmas In The Heart will be donated in perpetuity to Feeding America, guaranteeing that more than four million meals will be provided to over 1.4 million people in need in this country during this year’s holiday season.”

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Bob Dylan’s Christmas In the Heart