James Lee Stanley

Last night I played at the Dylanfest that Paul Zollo put together.   I think he’s done it about ten times now and I was delighted to be included.   It is an evening of all  Bob Dylan songs done by a number of artists.

It was held at Kulak’s Woodshed, the acoustic room that Paul Kulak is keeping open because he loves acoustic music.   It is funded by donations only and it would serve your karma to go there and give them a couple of bucks every so often.   www.kulakswoodshed.com

The don’t charge at the door and they present music four or five nights at week.    They do suggest you donate a ten dollar donation, but no one gives you any grief if you can’t afford that.  

When you are in North Hollywood, California  next time, check it out.   It’s on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley between Magnolia and Burbank.

In any event, there were about twenty seven of us all doing a song written by Bob Dylan.   I know there are a lot of folks out there who don’t get Dylan’s singing, but as a songwriter, I’m telling you he is unbelieveably gifted.    

Twenty seven of us sang a song each for a total of about three hours of music.   There wasn’t a bad song in the lot and the Dylan catalog was barely touched.   

I did another Dylanfest put on by Andy Hill and Renee Safier a few weeks ago in Torrance and that one was eight hours long.   Same thing  not a bad song in eight hours.

It’s not wonder Dylan is quoted as saying, “there’s enough songs.  There’s no need to write anymore.”  He’s written them all except for the ones that Lennon and McCartney wrote.

Amazing lyrics, simple  chords, exquisite melodies, and when they are held up against what is currently being considered as good writing, a cretin could tell where the real art was.

Do yourself a favor and check out the Bob Dylan catalog.   It’s no wonder he’s so famous and successful.   He deserves it.   Whether he worked his ass off or it’s just a dumb gift matters little to me.

Those songs are remarkable.

I came into the studio today with the Dylan songbook and played songs for an hour.   Every song was simple chords, remarkable melodies and amazing lyrics, all better than my songs.   A humbling experience, let me tell you.