Cover of Slow Train Coming"You gotta serve somebody," sang Bob Dylan in the 1979 album Slow Train Coming that publicly announced his conversion to Christianity. Love it or hate it, the evangelicals I knew in Southern California were ecstatic to claim Dylan as their "brother in Christ."
I heard Bob Dylan live in concert when he came to the Davidson College campus -- a great show with only one disappointment. All of us had been imitating Dylan's distinctive way of talking, joking and playing around, in anticipation of hearing the legend himself speak. Two hours later, the concert ended -- and he didn't say even one word the whole time!
Anyways, here's a chance to give yourself a well-after-Christmas treat. Two documentaries on Bob Dylan's Jesus Years are out, the first documentary,
Inside Bob Dylan's Jesus Years: Busy Being Born... Again!
is a film that documents the years Jesus was most prominent in the artists songs. It's a biography with lots of commentary, one that plays on the shock felt through the music world by Dylan's Christian music. His conversion was unexpected, the reactions mixed, and the continuing relevance uncertain.
From the description:
The film offers "an insider's view of Bob Dylan's "Born Again" transformation, and its effect on his life and music."
There's a trailer and full website. Also, here's a quick review of the film.
I also found another documentary,
Bob Dylan: 1978-1989 - Both Ends of the Rainbow
From the description:
Reviews the years from late-1978 to the release of 1989's Oh Mercy - an album that was seen by many as a huge return to form.
Both DVD's cover Dylan's overtly Christian years. Many question whether Dylan abandoned the faith, or if it's just a more subtle aspect of his life today.
What do you think?
I heard Bob Dylan live in concert when he came to the Davidson College campus -- a great show with only one disappointment. All of us had been imitating Dylan's distinctive way of talking, joking and playing around, in anticipation of hearing the legend himself speak. Two hours later, the concert ended -- and he didn't say even one word the whole time!
Anyways, here's a chance to give yourself a well-after-Christmas treat. Two documentaries on Bob Dylan's Jesus Years are out, the first documentary,
Inside Bob Dylan's Jesus Years: Busy Being Born... Again!
is a film that documents the years Jesus was most prominent in the artists songs. It's a biography with lots of commentary, one that plays on the shock felt through the music world by Dylan's Christian music. His conversion was unexpected, the reactions mixed, and the continuing relevance uncertain.
From the description:
In late 1978, Bob Dylan fell into the Arms of the Lord through the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church. In his first-ever interview, Dylan's Bible class teacher, Pastor Bill Dwyer, details Bob Dylan's embrace of Jesus Christ and Christianity. Dylan then made three Gospel albums, winning a Grammy for Gotta Serve Somebody. However, Dylan's radical new direction alienated fans and enraged critics as he preached apocalyptic messages from the Book of Revelation.
The film offers "an insider's view of Bob Dylan's "Born Again" transformation, and its effect on his life and music."
There's a trailer and full website. Also, here's a quick review of the film.
I also found another documentary,
Bob Dylan: 1978-1989 - Both Ends of the Rainbow
From the description:
Reviews the years from late-1978 to the release of 1989's Oh Mercy - an album that was seen by many as a huge return to form.
Both DVD's cover Dylan's overtly Christian years. Many question whether Dylan abandoned the faith, or if it's just a more subtle aspect of his life today.
What do you think?
