In our discussion of Bob Dylan’s upcoming Christmas album a few days ago, some of you maintained that the one true Bob does not have a good voice, that while he is a fine songwriter, the man just can’t sing. I know what you mean, of course, but I enjoy Dylan’s unique vocal style, finding it original and authentic and expressive, and also stylistically appropriate for his songs. I propose an aesthetic experiment. Let’s listen to someone singing a Bob Dylan song who hits the right notes with mellifluous smoothness. Then let us listen to Bob singing the same song, with his gritty, strained, unpretty voice. Then you tell me which is better.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In