What a wonderful interview! The warmth and affection you both have for each other shines through. I love how you connect Roberta’s excellent work on behalf of humanity with Dylan’s performances. I learned a lot.
Thank you, Jim! Roberta continues to do remarkable work on behalf of humanity. She brings that to her work on Dylan. I’m glad she’s writing and the she’ll be in Tulsa. ☺️💜
Apologies that I am so late to this. I’ve so much catching up to do in so many areas. You have quite the duo-show going on here and it’s infectious. Even without that, anyone could listen to and applaud Roberta all night long. I’d love t hear more from her, the only thing that might better it, or at least equal it, by the sound of things, would have been to spend time with her father.
That Springsteen performance of “Chimes of Freedom” in East Berlin was something I wrote about at length - this is a bit of a stretch but bear with me - in my Dylan and Shakespeare book. It was in the section of their works direct impact on major historical events. Springsteen’s spoken introduction of the song is electrifying in context. I got carried away, ended up getting access to once suppressed minutes of ministers having blistering arguments over the event and over wrote it (in the context of my book's topic.).
Those who opposed the concert in the East German government were proven exactly correct in their fears and specifically by the introduction and performance of "Chimes". Anyway, when the book was in its first guise - much more academic - there was a fairly draconian length limit on books they publish, and so I rewrote all chapters, cutting it down and this was an episode that fell by the wayside.
I had a friend/ Shakespeare expert read the chapter over for me and he said that while it was fascinating, he didn’t really see why he was reading it in this particular book. He saw it as a stretch too far. So, I took it out. I’ll have it somewhere, though, the edited version at least, on an old PC. Once I’ve finished my “ballad” series on my Substack, I’ll dig it out and put it up there. I’ll call it: “To Roberta”. I think she’d like it.
Andrew this is so lovely!!! I think you and my father would have been great friends. I am so fascinated by that East Berlin performance and can imagine nothing better than reading your thoughts on it. It’s such a unique moment and perhaps you could explore the link from there to what Springsteen has been doing now in his concerts in relation to our current crisis here.
Thanks Roberta, what an honour you start with, but it is a lovely thought.
however, maybe you would be better placed to explore the current link? Not that I am terrified of watching the news and am going about with my fingers in my ears saying "la-la-la fluffy clouds in a peaceful blue sky, all will be OK, la la la" ;-)
I love this so much! Erin and Roberta, you warm my heart every time I'm around you, and you warmed my earbuds with this wonderful talk. I didn't know about Milton Rakove--thanks for sharing your roots with us, Roberta. I especially dig the section where you talked about Springsteen's cover of "Chimes of Freedom" and Dylan's performances at the March on Washington and the Apollo Theater. I hope you write that up because I'd love to read it. See you both in Tulsa!
Thank you, Andy, for your listening and for your lovely comment. Roberta is wonderful and, you’ll be glad to you know, she’s writing about Dylan more and more. Looking forward to your next post on ballads and for your post on the East Berlin show. Now, I may ask you about it when we chat. 💜☺️
What a wonderful interview! The warmth and affection you both have for each other shines through. I love how you connect Roberta’s excellent work on behalf of humanity with Dylan’s performances. I learned a lot.
Thank you, Jim! Roberta continues to do remarkable work on behalf of humanity. She brings that to her work on Dylan. I’m glad she’s writing and the she’ll be in Tulsa. ☺️💜
How kind you are. I actually participated in 2019 and now it seems that I got a small piece accepted on Dylan and nature!
That is wonderful. I have one on Dylan as a social historian. It will be lovely to see you.
Really so great-thanks to both of you ! See you in Lauras podcast and in Tulsa I hope.
You’re coming to a Tulsa! Wonderful. I am on a panel on politics and Erin is on 4 panels!
Thank you!! I am so excited to see you in Tulsa!!! What a great that will be. ☺️
Apologies that I am so late to this. I’ve so much catching up to do in so many areas. You have quite the duo-show going on here and it’s infectious. Even without that, anyone could listen to and applaud Roberta all night long. I’d love t hear more from her, the only thing that might better it, or at least equal it, by the sound of things, would have been to spend time with her father.
That Springsteen performance of “Chimes of Freedom” in East Berlin was something I wrote about at length - this is a bit of a stretch but bear with me - in my Dylan and Shakespeare book. It was in the section of their works direct impact on major historical events. Springsteen’s spoken introduction of the song is electrifying in context. I got carried away, ended up getting access to once suppressed minutes of ministers having blistering arguments over the event and over wrote it (in the context of my book's topic.).
Those who opposed the concert in the East German government were proven exactly correct in their fears and specifically by the introduction and performance of "Chimes". Anyway, when the book was in its first guise - much more academic - there was a fairly draconian length limit on books they publish, and so I rewrote all chapters, cutting it down and this was an episode that fell by the wayside.
I had a friend/ Shakespeare expert read the chapter over for me and he said that while it was fascinating, he didn’t really see why he was reading it in this particular book. He saw it as a stretch too far. So, I took it out. I’ll have it somewhere, though, the edited version at least, on an old PC. Once I’ve finished my “ballad” series on my Substack, I’ll dig it out and put it up there. I’ll call it: “To Roberta”. I think she’d like it.
Andrew this is so lovely!!! I think you and my father would have been great friends. I am so fascinated by that East Berlin performance and can imagine nothing better than reading your thoughts on it. It’s such a unique moment and perhaps you could explore the link from there to what Springsteen has been doing now in his concerts in relation to our current crisis here.
Thanks Roberta, what an honour you start with, but it is a lovely thought.
however, maybe you would be better placed to explore the current link? Not that I am terrified of watching the news and am going about with my fingers in my ears saying "la-la-la fluffy clouds in a peaceful blue sky, all will be OK, la la la" ;-)
Roberta for President!!
I would vote for her!
I'd move to the US to vote for Roberta!
I love this so much! Erin and Roberta, you warm my heart every time I'm around you, and you warmed my earbuds with this wonderful talk. I didn't know about Milton Rakove--thanks for sharing your roots with us, Roberta. I especially dig the section where you talked about Springsteen's cover of "Chimes of Freedom" and Dylan's performances at the March on Washington and the Apollo Theater. I hope you write that up because I'd love to read it. See you both in Tulsa!
Thank you, Graley! I agree that Roberta has to write that paper!!! Tulsa will be wonderful! Can’t wait to see both of you. ☺️
Thank you so much Graley! Erin is a spectacular interviewer. Looking forward to Tulsa.
Thank you, but you get all the credit. You were a fabulous guest!
Thank you, Andy, for your listening and for your lovely comment. Roberta is wonderful and, you’ll be glad to you know, she’s writing about Dylan more and more. Looking forward to your next post on ballads and for your post on the East Berlin show. Now, I may ask you about it when we chat. 💜☺️
I am so exited, even if the US is not showing her best right now, I guess we shall have a little safe space together in Tulsa.