Super Al Kooper: 50 Years of Sensational Sessions

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Imagine the Rolling Stones' classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want," sans the embellishments of the London Bach Choir.  Definitely doable, in my opinion.  Ponder the Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road," minus the Phil Spector-imposed orchestral strings and choir of angels. Totally preferable. Contemplate Bob Dylan's landmark "Like a Rolling Stone" without  those haunting, no-direction-home Hammond organ chords. Absolutely inconceivable. Had it not been for the gutsy gamble of a 21-year old named Al Kooper, Dylan's decade-defining anthem would lack much of its signature, soulful sound. The great Mr. Kooper turned 70 on February 5, 2014.

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Dylan’s Christmas Spirit is Blowin’ in the Wind

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’Tis the season to see “Jews for Jesus” popping up around Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, the vibrant center of Jewish culture here in the city. Why, just the other day I was strolling to the iconic Little’s Shoe Store, my beloved Bethlehem of Boots, when I saw two spunky dudes dressed in blue “Jews for Jesus” t-shirts (the o in…

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Bob Dylan and Scarlet Rivera: Strings of Rolling Thunder

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Man, I can't tell you how many times my shrink has had to listen to me recount this dream: I'm strutting down the street decked out like Joan Jett -- carrying a guitar/amp/tambourine/harmonica - when a car pulls over and a famous, seasoned musician asks me to stop by a recording studio and rehearse with him. Instant stardom, based on nothing more than IMAGE. Hey, it's no more far fetched than grabbing 15 minutes of fame by being anointed "star du jour" by the glam-bam-thank-you-ma'am "American Idol" judges. Being swept off the street by a rock star may be nothing more than a wet dream for yer blogger, but this really did happen to a young violinist named Donna Shea, better known as Scarlet Rivera.

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The Word of Law — Courtesy of Robert Zimmerman, Esquire

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"Your Honor, the defense is trying to sway the jury with inane references to a counter-culture rock song," said the District Attorney. So, what song could the defense attorney possibly be citing? It's Bob Dylan's word-twister from 1965, "Subterranean Homesick Blues." This iconic '60s rap-anthem contains a line that's been quoted by judges, lawyers and law scholars more than any other lyric from popular music. If you ever get busted, you better hope your lawyer is a Dylan fan.

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Chimes of Freedom Flashing: Bob Dylan Honored at White House

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Singer/songwriter Bob Dylan just received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Bobby wore shades and never cracked a facial muscle as the Prez heaped all kinds of well-deserved praise upon him. That's our poker-faced Bob, the brilliant, eccentric minstrel that I'll adore forever.

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