First listen to Bob Dylan - The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll (REACTION) 

I think this man could sing a tale about a garbage can and it would mean everything. I can close my eyes and visualize what he's singing. Man's a legend.

One of Dylan's most powerful and haunting songs. I'd reccomend Masters of War by Bob if you haven't already reacted to it. Its one of his more vicious protest songs.

From what I've read, Dylan saw this story in a newspaper while riding back from Martin Luther King's "March on Washington" and wrote this song. William Zantzinger had been out drinking that night and was wearing a white suit and pretending to be Fred Astaire. Along the way he picked up a toy cane for 15 cents. He was already drunk when he walked into the Emerson Hotel where Hattie Carroll was bartending that night. (She was normally a maid) When he didn't think she was making his drink fast enough he started calling her names, including the N word and striking her with the cane. She became distressed and went back to the kitchen, I think, to sit down. She was taken to a hospital where she died. At the trial a case was made that it was not the strikes by the cane that directly caused her death. I think she died of a stroke. Hence, the 6 month sentence. He was also given a delay in the sentencing so that he could have time to harvest his crops. I'm told this is not unusual with a 6 month sentence. Yes, "Money doesn't talk, it swears". About your statement that Dylan can rhyme words that don't rhyme: I once heard his song "Too Much of Nothing" on the radio. It has the lines: "Say hello to Valerie Say hello to Marion Send them all my salary On the waters of Oblivion. When the song ended, the disc jockey said; "you know, Valerie rhymes with salary, but Marion doesn't really rhyme with oblivion. But if Bob Dylan says it rhymes, Baby, it rhymes. I got a kick out of that. Well, that's the longest comment I've ever made. Great reaction to this song.

You should check out "It's Alright Ma I'm Only Bleeding".

Check out Dylan's "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" and "Desolation Row".

Thanks to your reaction, I've discovered that, apparently, Dylan's studio work is finally being uploaded with "official blessing" to RU-vid. That is great news!

Check out “Ballad of Hollis Brown” and “Only A Pawn in Their Game” for similar hard-hitting topical storytelling.

Please react to Bob Dylan's "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" It is very dark, features dark observations about society, capitalism, sex, etc. It's also probably the most lyrically dense song I've ever heard and showcases Dylan's genius perfectly. I think you'd love that one. I know reactions to Dylan get blocked on youtube, but there's an excellent live version of the song (sounds almost identical to the studio version) - it's the black and white video from 1965, you can react to that one and bypass the algorithm.

His telling of the story is brilliant and truthful. ❤

Dylan is adept at distilling the universal from the particular.

Absolutely loved the reaction on your face as the judge handed out a six-month sentence. Priceless. If you like social commentary Dylan, react to With God On Our Side, one of the most devastating songs Dylan (or anybody, for that matter) wrote.

Another fine story song he did in the 70’s is called “Isis”.

This is very early Dylan, performed mostly alone, just his voice, an acoustic guitar and harmonica strapped to his neck. Dylan broke through initially as a folk singer with his more famous girlfriend, Joan Baez, a substantial folk singer in her own right. Dylan got electric guitar into his music a few years later and faced considerable backlash for doing it. I adore his later music, but this initial folk period was his peak. This is the music/lyrics that won Dylan a Nobel Prize in literature. Those first roughly 4 albums are pure genius.

I recommend three albums to get a good start on really appreciating Dylan: Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde and Blood on the Tracks. There's so much more, but that's a good jumping off point.

Interesting point about how the anger comes out in the guitar playing, and he sings it the same way, in that world-weary voice. He's 23 years old and he sings like he's 100 years old. Love everything you're talking about achieving this whole mood with minimal tools. This song is one of my favorites, from (what I think is) his best early acoustic album. As you say, it's as pertinent now then it was then, unfortunately.

Bob has always been a very socially conscious soul. This is a heartbreaker. (And a true story.) But now ain't the time for our tears.

Thank you for reminding me of this early song. Dylan has continued to evolve in his words and music, hence his being the 1st modern musician to win the noble prize. He is a very humble man and never enjoyed award shows and stardom. He didn't even appear to receive his Noble Prize in Sweden. Please check out Patti Smith performing his song "A Hard Rains Gonna Fall" at the ceremony. He also drafted a speech of thanks to the academy for the honor. It is a light into the man he is- and humorously written. Go down the Dylan rabbit hole and you won't be disappointed. But I am biased.

Blind Willie McTell. Just Bob on piano and Mark Knopler on guitar. Perhaps his finest recording.

Emptied the ashtrays on all different levels is genius!!

A couple of things I appreciate about this reaction: that you mentioned his dwelling on the table/monotony of Hattie Carroll's work-life; the build-up in intensity of his guitar playing. Something that has always struck me about this was how in the last verse, he slowly inflates the fairness of the judicial system only to pop that balloon at the end.

Thanks for playing this, Daniel. I've loved this song for sixty years, and I appreciate your perceptive commentary. By the way, the literary critic, Christopher Ricks, says that the repetition of "table" is a conscious allusion to Abel being slain by his brother. Maybe, but I like your observation better. And, yes, in the chorus Bob is calling out all those who "philosophize" disgrace--intellectualizing it, rather than empathizing and being revolted by the disgrace.

Dylan sang about the opposite situation in "Percy's Song" in which a young man is punished inordinately for a fatal accident.

“And emptied the ashtrays on a whole other level”. “And to show that the courts are on the level”. There are different levels and those levels are not level.

Bob Dylan was 22 1/2 when the album this song is on was released. Not 15, but still very young. (Next Jackson Browne, PLEASE listen to These Days, written when he was 16! He didn’t record it for many years. First Nico of the Velvet Underground did, then Greg Allman of the Allman Brothers. Incredible song; Jackson must be a very old soul.

What thoughtful and articulate and observant reaction! thanks! I hadn-t noticed that 3 time table detail! well done!

Thank you for letting me hear that. Been lurking since Floyd. Subscribed with Radiohead. Happy to hear different ways artists can use music to express ideas and emotion to the listener. Best of luck on your appeals. Copyright holders really need to talk to Congressional witness Rick Beato about fair use.

I'm so glad that young people are now appreciating Bob Dylan. He is and was a very special artist.

Bob is a great writer and singer, his inflections add extra stress and more meaning than those that have sweeter voices covering his songs. Patti Smith is another artist that's become a success with a moderate voice because she has passion, her album "Horses" is phenomenal. Joni Mitchell learned from Bob how to cram any amount of words into a line and make it okay whether they rhyme or not. These writers inspired generations, I was taught 'Both Sides Now' and 'Blowing in the Wind' in grade school in the early '70s.

Check out The Ballad of Hollis Brown from this same album. One of the most brutal songs ever recorded.

Listen to "Percy's Song", one of Dylan's hidden game, another great storytelling song!

I've always struggled with the top 10 live concerts I've seen because I've seen so many But Dylan blood on the tracks tour has to be up there

"A man on the stage with just a guitar can change the world"-Bob Dylan You should do the entire album. Its a great one. Kind of overlooked somewhat. "You who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears" What a great line that brings even further depth to the song. Meaning ..People set there watching and reading about these tragedies at home, at a pep ralley, during a card game. Pondering the injustice and giving all sorts of angles and long conversations about them and even ignore and critique those who say that racism is real and affects many. How terrible the death is you say and then go about life. Dont cry about it just yet because the real tragedy isnt the death, sad though it is. But that the death meant nothing and changed nothing. Her death was not justified. And that should be something to weep into a handful of tissues about. Because until justice comes for those wronged then wrong will simply repeat itself. One of my favorite early Dylan songs. Hadnt listened to it in awhile. It shook many up in the civil rights and folk writers scene. Dylan became a young legend after he wrote songs such as this and Blowin In The Wind, God On Our Side, Masters Of War..and many more. One day we can say we lived in the times of a great poet and songwriter. On the same level as TS Elliot, F Scott Fitzgerald or any other legend of history. Dylan is on that level of depth to his writing.

Magnificent song choice, Daniel. Such a typically powerful performance from the great man. You might find similar luck reacting to Bob's '60's catalogue more so than his later material.

The ballad of Hollis brown is a deep deep heavy number my man .

“Hurricane “ revisits the “ justice denied “ topic with a contemporary story ( and a mercurial violin). You’re right, the repetition of “table” is like the tolling of a bell, a dirge, as you put it. Excruciating details, delivered without comment, are more effective than editorial or emotive emphasis.

... you should listen to his greatest song (imo) "Every Grain Of Sand" and give your thoughts on the song. It truly is magnificent.

Dylan, of course, underwent as many changes in his career as Bowie. This song is from his folk-singer beginning. Like most other folksingers, he played unaccompanied on guitar and harmonica. Dylan is a worthy successor to the greatest folksinger, Woody Guthrie.

Powerful song based on a true incident. Brilliant.

The Best Ever !! Great reaction... "Now is the time for your tears.."

Yes please! More Bob Dylan!

Thanks for reacting to this great artist

I just loved this reaction! Yes Bob's music is way more available with new things coming out on RU-vid everyday. His writing is superb.

You are so perceptive in your reviews. So glad you did this son.

I believe he was very young when he write this album maybe like 17-20

That last verse is like a kick right in the gut. It gets me every time.

Could listen to Dylan all day, absolutely love his stories. Saw him in the 90's at a really unfortunate concert at Stoneybrook University, sadly he was so out of it he couldn't remember his own lyrics. Wish I could have seen him in better form.

Such a sad beautiful song, powerful lyrics.

Enjoyed. Thanks

the only musician i can listen to for hours

U really should try A Hard Rains-A Gonna Fall from Dylans '64 album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, an absolute masterpiece and for my money his greatest acoustic song

I like how you called out the tedious repetition of 'the table', which almost certainly was deliberate writing from Dylan at the time.

In junior high, (1970ish) I lived in the Baltimore area, and we had a young chorus teacher who taught us some protest songs, starting with relatively "safe" stuff like "If I had a Hammer..." - and leading up to this one. Somewhere I still have the mimeographed lyrics she handed out; we too looked a bit shell-shocked when we got to the ending. We couldn't possibly do the song justice; later on I figured out that our singing it well wasn't actually her goal.

One of Dylan's best songs . The insane injustice that was commonly noticed in 1962 is still with us . And the defenders of this injustice are still with us too - philosophizing disgrace - and attempting to mock anyone who gets upset about poverty . America's bland refusal to reform will not end well .

Do Don't Think Twice it's Alright by Dylan! My favorite of his ✌️

William Zanzinger was sentenced the day Martin Luther gave his speech "I Have a Dream"

I love Bob Dylan is now being appreciated by young people. He will live forever.

Bob Dylan delivery and phrasing is insane and then you have the imagery what a songwriter

I shouldn't have to say this but congratulations for being articulate on RU-vid.

Christopher Ricks, the acclaimed Oxford Professor points out that Dylan is also alluding to the Cain and Abel Bible story in these lyrics. Hattie Carroll is the Abel character ("head of the Table", "people at the Table", "food from the Table" while Zanzinger is the Cain character who ends up killing his brother out of anger. Hattie "Got killed by a blow, lay slain by a cane" that was "doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle". Pretty deep truths passed along in a 4 minute song - but that is what makes Dylan Dylan...

I highly recommend the song "What about me' By Quicksilver Messenger service. Highly relevant protest song from the 60s. It fits today.

"Mister Tambourine Man". "Pawn in Their Game".

Great song, great music, Bob Dylan is a legend!Thank you, buddy! Great reaction!👍🇷🇺

You must listen to the album version ( Hwy 61 ) Like A Rolling Stone, a song many consider the greatest song in Rockn Roll history

Im always amazed that he never mentions the color of their skin. We just know.

One of my favorite Dylan songs is I Want You which came out in’66. It reminds me of someone speciaI from back then. I think you’d like it.

Yes I love Bob Please check out his song called Hollis Brown this song is amazing the death of Hattie Carol

Genius and sent from above.

Great choice!

THAT THE LADDER OF LAW HAS NO TOP AND NO BOTTOM

Anatole France (16 April 1844 - 12 October 1924) is quoted as saying: In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread. And you still might enjoy Chris de Burgh's music.

Dylan is not a writer and singer of songs, he is a creator and transmitter of stories in the music format.

Yes, he had perfected the Woody Guthrie thing in this era. I prefer electric Bob, but I recognize he became famous during these folk beginnings.

Diamonds and rust by Joan Baez is an excellent song, it's a song about her relationship with Bob.

Since you like the storyteller and Dylan is one of the all-time best, when they asked him who is his favorite storyteller songwriter, without hesitation, he said Warren Zevon. Just a tip.

I'd really recommend "Who killed Davy Moore?" It's about a boxer who died during a fight,and he shows the viewpoint from everyone involved!!👍😎

Well done. The Ballad of Hollis Brown is another heart breaker. I remember a substitute teacher played "Hollis Brown" in my high school class. It thourougly bothered me. I hated it. I bought the album and discovered Dylan. On the story telling front, Nothing beats, Lilly, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts. except maybe Tangled Up In Blue. both from the stunning Blood on the Tracks album.

I wasn't sure where I could suggest another song, so I'll put it here, hoping... For the sheer poetry of it, "Mr. Tambourine Man" (Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1964 (He's introduced by Pete Seeger, someone else to look into...)) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OeP4FFr88SQ.html Cheers!

It's his voice, what was he supposed to do to change it. Truly blessed as it turns out. Ask Bob to rhyme orange, or anyone to be honest.

You might also have mentioned the subtle reuse of the word "level", and the fact he never mentions skin colour - he didn't need to, it was obvious. He'd learnt a lot since he wrote "The Death of Emmett Till", which is in-your-face angry while this is so understated. It reduced me to floods in 1964 and still does; usually at "And she never done nothing to William Zanzinger".

From the early 60's to the turn of the century, and beyond, Bob Dylan, the greatest composer the 20'th century has produced, simple as that, nothing more to say.

Or the "right" color skin - Check out Dylan's Masters of War, God on Our Side - and, for another glimpse at these injustices - check out In Living Colour's cover of 41 Shots - American Skin - a song written by Bruce Springstein . . .any Dylan song is great, if you ask me - my favorite artist of all time

I wish, I wish, I wish. I know lyrically, as brilliant and vital as any songwriter in history. But as a pre-teen and teen in his heyday, could simply not get over the voice. And not nearly enough airplay on the AM dial to hook onto his significance.

I appreciate your reaction to this song. If you want another spooky Dylan track try "The Ballad of Hollis Brown." Can you detect the grammatical change that occurs in the song? It's dramatic! It's amazing! Listen to the song. See if you can pick it up. It's really good. It's part of the reason he won Pulitzer prize for his music. Check it out. (please)

And they made sure he didn’t go to jail while it was cropping season. Super messed up

If the situation had been reversed Hatti Carrol would have gotten the death penalty. Btw by the mid sixties Dylan did go electric and started to use more complex arrangement. I would suggest you look into albums like Highway 61 Revisited, Blond on Blond, Blood on the tracks, Time out of Mind, Oh Mercy, Love and theft, etc.

Racism was still a huge issue then right out in the open. Dylan was never shy about tackling any issue. This song has a number of mispronunciations, but he got the basics of the story correct. It was heinous. Hattie was more mourned in death than she was appreciated in life. The look on your face when you looked at the camera said it all.

Hi can you please react to Bob Dylan's 'Murder Most Foul' which was released in 2020!!!!!

Do BOB's. 'HURRICANE'

Try Hollis Brown

Dylan patterned this song after "Pirate Jenny" from "The Three Penny Opera". It's a somewhat different take on justice denied. Nina Simone does a very angry version of this song.

One thing: I can't imagine listening for the first time with lyrics in front of me. I would find it impossibly distracting from LISTENING to the whole experience. Dylan (much to the mystification of his detractors) was/is magnificent at enunciating his words.

Didn't mention the lyric - Slain by a cane, referring to the murder in the Bible of Caine killing his brother Abel. It's not an accidental reference. This is very typical of most of the other tracks on Times they are a changing album. Slow, thoughtful, sad. With a point to make. People who disparage Dylan's singing, - I can't imagine this song being improved by giving it to Peter, Paul and Mary, or the Byrds. It just wouldn't have the same gravitas that Dylan's world weary tone conveys.

Have you reacted to “Hurricane”? Another true story about injustice.

Dylan is the greatest lyricist in American popular music, hands down. His voice was always a barrier to me for some reason, but his compositions range from very good to classic.

Well done. Bob Dylan's work is a long journey. This song is somewhere near the start. It might be useful, instead of reacting to a whole album, to react to one song from each album along the road. Edit: "…each _major_ album along the road." Dylan has done a lot of albums that don’t matter, to put it kindly. He has seemed to lose his way a couple of times, causing him to put out some real duds in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Choose with care.

He missed facts..she was fat n sickly..the cane was a toy cane that didnt leave a mark or bruise on her...stress from the hit may have killed her.

Townes Van Zandt ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zaP8NGML_QE.html

Another great storyteller is Chris de Burgh. Just saying.

The song is essentially a lie. Hattie Carroll died from the effects of hypertension and Bob Dylan made it into another Emmett Till case. It wasn't that.

…and he never mentions skin colour or racism.