Bob Dylan [6 Music Artist Collection]

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Bob Dylan's Big Freeze

20111120

20140606 (6M)
20151225 (6M)
20201209 (6M)
20210517 (6M)
20081125 (R2)

Bob Harris tells the story of Bob Dylan's extraordinary two month stay in London during the freezing winter of 1962-3. We hear from the people who bumped into him and sent him on his way, from the folk clubs of Accrington to the tailors of Carnaby Street.

In the summer of 1962, Dylan had been spotted by BBC director Phillip Saville in a Greenwich Village basement and invited over to appear in Evan Jones's play, Madhouse On Castle Street. Receiving a fee of 500 guineas, Dylan duly flew to London to star alongside David Warner.

While he was in London, Dylan stayed with Martin Carthy, who remembers chopping up a piano for firewood during that long cold winter! While in London, Dylan became a regular figure on the burgeoning folk club circuit.

Eventually, under the pseudonym of Blind Boy Grunt, Dylan also cut an LP, recorded in basement of Dobell's record shop on Charing Cross Road with the help of a crate of Guinness.

Dylan's eight week stay resulted in a burst of original songs (including Don't Think Twice It's Alright, Bob Dylan's Dream) which were heavily influenced by his exposure to traditional English folk.

First broadcast on Radio 2 in November 2008,and repeated to complement the 6 Music Michael Kiwanuka Artist Collection.

Bob Harris tells the story of Bob Dylan's visit to London during the winter of 1962.

Episode 2: 1979, Slow Train Coming

20110525

20091228 (6M)
20100711 (6M)
20110524 (6M)
20201216 (6M)
20210518 (6M)

John Wilson looks back to 1979 when once again Bob Dylan marked the end of a decade by making some major changes in his life and career. He embraced Christianity, spent several months in Bible School and recorded a Gospel album, Slow Train Coming. When he tried to evangelize Jerry Wexler in the studio, the wily producer replied 'Bob, you're dealing with a sixty-two-year-old confirmed Jewish atheist. I'm hopeless. Let's just make an album'.

To the frustration of some of his fans, subsequent concerts were all-Gospel events. Dylan refused to play any of his old material, tended to give sermons between songs - even dismissing hecklers who demanded rock-n-roll with the words. 'You wanna rock-n-roll you can go down and rock-n-roll. You can go see Kiss and you rock-n-roll all your way down to the pit.

John Wilson looks back to 79 when Dylan embraced Christianity & released a Gospel album

Episode 3: 1989, Oh Mercy

20110526

20091229 (6M)
20100712 (6M)
20110525 (6M)
20201217 (6M)
20210518 (6M)

John Wilson continues to explore Bob Dylan's career at the end of three decades - 1969, 1979 and 1989 - and, with the help of those who have worked with and written about the enigmatic star, assesses the ways in which he re-invented himself at those times.

Tonight John looks back at 1989 and the album Oh Mercy, which was seen as a comeback and was the first album Dylan had written entirely himself for four years. Recorded in an imposing house in New Orleans and produced by Daniel Lanois (who had been recommended to Dylan by Bono), it was a return to form.

Dylan also stepped up his touring schedule, clocking up ninety nine concerts - an average he has kept up more or less every year since then on what he described as his 'never-ending' tour.

Bob Dylan - Changing Times: 1989 Oh Mercy. Presented by John Wilson.

The Bob Dylan Playlist

20210518

A playlist celebrating the music of Bob Dylan and its roots and branches.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
Bob Dylan's Big Freeze	20111120	20140606 (6M) 20151225 (6M) 20201209 (6M) 20210517 (6M) 20081125 (R2)	Bob Harris tells the story of Bob Dylan's extraordinary two month stay in London during the freezing winter of 1962-3. We hear from the people who bumped into him and sent him on his way, from the folk clubs of Accrington to the tailors of Carnaby Street. In the summer of 1962, Dylan had been spotted by BBC director Phillip Saville in a Greenwich Village basement and invited over to appear in Evan Jones's play, Madhouse On Castle Street. Receiving a fee of 500 guineas, Dylan duly flew to London to star alongside David Warner. While he was in London, Dylan stayed with Martin Carthy, who remembers chopping up a piano for firewood during that long cold winter! While in London, Dylan became a regular figure on the burgeoning folk club circuit. Eventually, under the pseudonym of Blind Boy Grunt, Dylan also cut an LP, recorded in basement of Dobell's record shop on Charing Cross Road with the help of a crate of Guinness. Dylan's eight week stay resulted in a burst of original songs (including Don't Think Twice It's Alright, Bob Dylan's Dream) which were heavily influenced by his exposure to traditional English folk. First broadcast on Radio 2 in November 2008,and repeated to complement the 6 Music Michael Kiwanuka Artist Collection. Bob Harris tells the story of Bob Dylan's visit to London during the winter of 1962.
Episode 2: 1979, Slow Train Coming	20110525	20091228 (6M) 20100711 (6M) 20110524 (6M) 20201216 (6M) 20210518 (6M)	John Wilson looks back to 1979 when once again Bob Dylan marked the end of a decade by making some major changes in his life and career. He embraced Christianity, spent several months in Bible School and recorded a Gospel album, Slow Train Coming. When he tried to evangelize Jerry Wexler in the studio, the wily producer replied 'Bob, you're dealing with a sixty-two-year-old confirmed Jewish atheist. I'm hopeless. Let's just make an album'. To the frustration of some of his fans, subsequent concerts were all-Gospel events. Dylan refused to play any of his old material, tended to give sermons between songs - even dismissing hecklers who demanded rock-n-roll with the words. 'You wanna rock-n-roll you can go down and rock-n-roll. You can go see Kiss and you rock-n-roll all your way down to the pit. John Wilson looks back to 79 when Dylan embraced Christianity & released a Gospel album
Episode 3: 1989, Oh Mercy	20110526	20091229 (6M) 20100712 (6M) 20110525 (6M) 20201217 (6M) 20210518 (6M)	John Wilson continues to explore Bob Dylan's career at the end of three decades - 1969, 1979 and 1989 - and, with the help of those who have worked with and written about the enigmatic star, assesses the ways in which he re-invented himself at those times. Tonight John looks back at 1989 and the album Oh Mercy, which was seen as a comeback and was the first album Dylan had written entirely himself for four years. Recorded in an imposing house in New Orleans and produced by Daniel Lanois (who had been recommended to Dylan by Bono), it was a return to form. Dylan also stepped up his touring schedule, clocking up ninety nine concerts - an average he has kept up more or less every year since then on what he described as his 'never-ending' tour. Bob Dylan - Changing Times: 1989 Oh Mercy. Presented by John Wilson.
The Bob Dylan Playlist	20210518		A playlist celebrating the music of Bob Dylan and its roots and branches.