The latest fascinating instalment of Bob Dylan’s interview with Bill Flanagan sees the legendary songwriter discuss his forthcoming album ‘Together Through Life’.
Bob Dylan shocked fans by announcing a new album would be released this April. The singer released his last album ‘Modern Times’ in 2006, and few expected a new record this year. To coincide with the release, Dylan sat down with famed journalist Bill Flanagan in one of his most revealing interviews in years.
The pair’s discussion roams from topic to topic, with the songwriter revealing much of what inspires him. Asked about the release of the new album Dylan replied “you just think sometimes if not now I’ll never do it.”
“This particular album was supposed to come out next Fall sometime; September, October; when the movie’s released. We made it last year and it was supposed to be put away for a year. But then the guys from the record company heard it, and decided that they would like to put it out in early spring and not wait for the movie.”
One track on the album, ‘Life Is Hard’, is apparently inspired by parlor ballads from the early 20th century. Speaking of his love for that form of music, Dylan said “today, the mad rush of the world would trample over delicate music like that. Even if it had survived swing and jazz it would never make it past Dr. Dre.”
“Things changed economically and socially. Two world wars, the stock market crash, the depression, the sexual revolution, huge sound systems, techno-pop. How could anything survive that? You can’t imagine parlor ballads drifting out of hi rise multi-towered buildings. That kind of music existed in a more timeless state of life.”
Bob Dylan releases his new album ‘Together Through Life’ on April 27th.
