Great conversation, Erin! I learned so much from Celucian Joseph. It's very interesting and enlightening to get his "Dylan-adjacent" perspective. Thanks for this gift to Dylan world!
I'm glad you talked about "Seven Curses," one of my favorite hidden gems from the first bootleg series. For me, the name Reilly pegs this as an Irish song. It's about injustice, but in the specific context of British imperialist abuses of law and power against the native Irish population. I hear echoes of the rebel ballads Dylan would have heard from the Clancy Brothers, and apparently the lyrics were also inspired by Judy Collins's "Anathea."
If you ever have that follow-up conversation with Celucian, I'd love to hear his takes on "Caribbean Wind" and "Jokerman." The former features a Haitian main character, and the latter was inspired (according to Dylan's 1984 interview with Kurt Loder) by the Caribbean as well. "Jokerman kind of came to me in the islands. It's very mystical. The shapes there and shadows seem to be so ancient. The song was sorta inspired by these spirits they call jumbis." I think jumbis (aka jumbees, jumbies) are the root for the English word/concept "zombies." Lots of interesting swirling of Jesus and Satan imagery in the title figure, too. A meal for your guest to feast upon!
Thank you, Graley. As always, your feedback is thoughtful, generous, and brilliant! I’m grateful that you took time to listen and to share your thoughts. I also love “Seven Curses,” so does Celucien. You’re right about the Irish connection based on the name “Reilly” and that Dylan may have been influenced by the Clancy Brothers. I wonder if Brian would know more about that.
You love “Caribbean Wind.” I forgot about that. I left it out purposefully, but will send it and “Jokerman” to Celucien to see what he thinks and report back. Perhaps I should introduce you two.
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to have you on the show.
Bravo Erin & Celucian … this is Greil Marcus-level masterful oration. Fascinating & compelling. Erin, you really know how to bring the best out of people. Excellent job!
Thank you Erin and Celucien for this wonderful conversation! We would be lucky to have Celucien join the ranks as a Dylan scholar. I really enjoyed Stephen Daniel Arnoff's About Man and God and Law: The Spiritual Wisdom of Bob Dylan, and this episode gave me more of what I always hope people will explore throughout the entirety of Dylan's career.
Great conversation, Erin! I learned so much from Celucian Joseph. It's very interesting and enlightening to get his "Dylan-adjacent" perspective. Thanks for this gift to Dylan world!
I'm glad you talked about "Seven Curses," one of my favorite hidden gems from the first bootleg series. For me, the name Reilly pegs this as an Irish song. It's about injustice, but in the specific context of British imperialist abuses of law and power against the native Irish population. I hear echoes of the rebel ballads Dylan would have heard from the Clancy Brothers, and apparently the lyrics were also inspired by Judy Collins's "Anathea."
If you ever have that follow-up conversation with Celucian, I'd love to hear his takes on "Caribbean Wind" and "Jokerman." The former features a Haitian main character, and the latter was inspired (according to Dylan's 1984 interview with Kurt Loder) by the Caribbean as well. "Jokerman kind of came to me in the islands. It's very mystical. The shapes there and shadows seem to be so ancient. The song was sorta inspired by these spirits they call jumbis." I think jumbis (aka jumbees, jumbies) are the root for the English word/concept "zombies." Lots of interesting swirling of Jesus and Satan imagery in the title figure, too. A meal for your guest to feast upon!
Thank you, Graley. As always, your feedback is thoughtful, generous, and brilliant! I’m grateful that you took time to listen and to share your thoughts. I also love “Seven Curses,” so does Celucien. You’re right about the Irish connection based on the name “Reilly” and that Dylan may have been influenced by the Clancy Brothers. I wonder if Brian would know more about that.
You love “Caribbean Wind.” I forgot about that. I left it out purposefully, but will send it and “Jokerman” to Celucien to see what he thinks and report back. Perhaps I should introduce you two.
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to have you on the show.
Bravo Erin & Celucian … this is Greil Marcus-level masterful oration. Fascinating & compelling. Erin, you really know how to bring the best out of people. Excellent job!
Thank you very much, Harold. I’m humbled by your support.
Celucien’s analyses were so interesting because he’s an esteemed scholar with an impressive mind, but perhaps also because he’s new to Dylan.
I am looking forward to having a talk with you for an upcoming episode.
Celucian’s interpretation of Dylan’s songs is so unique and amazing. Even better is his obvious joy in discovering their meanings. WONDERFUL episode.
Thank you, Roberta! I agree that Celucien is not only impressive, but also that his joy is refreshing (and contagious).
Thank you Erin and Celucien for this wonderful conversation! We would be lucky to have Celucien join the ranks as a Dylan scholar. I really enjoyed Stephen Daniel Arnoff's About Man and God and Law: The Spiritual Wisdom of Bob Dylan, and this episode gave me more of what I always hope people will explore throughout the entirety of Dylan's career.