I am just about 17 minutes into this and wanted to just say this is really interesting and enjoyable to watch -- I agree on Michael's view about Renaldo and Clara being great, and thought Erin described the Jimmy Vaughan coming on stage moment well!..
I hadn't listened to his interpretation earlier (just his initial comment that it was great!).. but I am just watching that now, and this is really good to listen to someone speak about this. Interesting the two scenes that Michael initially mentioned.. When I Paint My Masterpiece.. and the scene in possibly a lobby -- link to something he says bit later on that I have mentioned to a few people over the years -- how this film is, the connections, the poetic links -- sometimes I suspect takes more views to see due to the quality of the versions seen. I really wish R&C could be seen in the original quality it was filmed. Those first two scenes that are mentioned here for example -- My first experience of watching the film was around 2002 via a VHS copy that I bought from the internet. The picture quality was at a level that I couldn't actually tell if Bob was wearing a mask in the opening scene! (I knew it looked strange, but I couldn't tell if it was just the picture quality) -- Just to mention that particular mask and a link to the next scene -- the mask is a transparent mask (it seems to me), which I think links to that next scene which Michael described well -- the link to the opening scene of Citizen Kane.
The scene in the lobby (my sense was that it was underground somewhere for some reason) seems to have low light. Even with the higher quality version that I have seen in recent years the scene is quite dark -- It's hard to see who is there, where they are.. so you really have to listen to the dialogue to work out what is going on here. There is a certain feeling to this.. as you watch this scene.. a sign. I feel though sometimes the quality of the versions people see might cause them to feel more that this darkness, this sense.. is just due to the quality of the picture, and it distracts from elements of the scenes. (I hope this makes some kind of sense.. I am still watching the interview here and just wanted to type a quick note here!).
Another fantastic conversation! I love the bits on Renaldo & Clara. I'm with Erin on Hearts of Fire, though. Might I suggest that "the punch" is an allusion to the scene in Pat Garrett, when he hits the guy with the rifle-butt. Both have the same awkward spring-loaded hip movements that seem more toy-like than actually violent.
Awesome show and you two are fabulous. Non sequitur, Michael you'd enjoy Room to Dream by David Lynch and Kristine McKenna. I'm listening on audible. I bet you are steps ahead of me and know the book already.
I have indeed read Room to Dream and it’s the greatest shit ever. Every once in a while I think about Jack Nance and the “alluvial fan” and just bust out laughing
Thank you, Peter! Apologies for the delayed response. As always, I am grateful that you listen. In other news, Sunday’s book club was fantastic! Thank you for all the work you do.
The opening bit in Renaldo and Clara about Ratso and “I need access” always reminds me of Bob (via Frank) asking in the John Wesley Harding liner notes:
“ "And just how far would you like to go in?" he asked and the three kings all looked at each other. "Not too far but just far enough so's we can say that we've been there,"
Well, here it’s much, much further in, too far for the kings but surely not for us. I used to say, perhaps over simplistically, but trying to make a point that the movies are critical and open up insights into Dylan’s worldview we rarely get as clearly , that if you wanted to see how Bob Dylan saw himself in the 1960s, the 1970s and the 21st Century, then ETD, R&C and M&A showed you exactly that.
Like nightly_moth and yourselves I would love for a proper R&C release. I first saw it on it's initial release run in the 'art'/specialist cinemas in the UK at the Glasgow Film Centre. I've watched various VHS, DVD and online versions since and so the initial memory is now impossible to mentally recapture.
Apart from all the Dylan talk, The amazing bonus of a new Glover Smith movie that I had completely missed is very gratefully received. Hoping for another masterly foray into communication both spoken and unspoken. Plus, Promenade to anticipate with relish.
Thank you, Andrew, for your kind and thoughtful comment. I am always humbled by your feedback as your book on Dylan and Shakespeare is one of my favorites. Many thanks for taking time to listen or watch.
It would be a dream to have a proper release of R&C. How can we make that happen? If we could get a copy, we could show it guerrilla style like Jon Waters used to do - go from town to town and project it on buildings.
I agree that a new MGS movie is something to look forward to.
Great listen ! Michael’s future book is going to ‘ bust our brains out ‘
regarding R & C correct me if i’m wrong .. but awhile back reading Paul Williams ‘ Perforimg Artist the Middle Years ‘ ( some of the best books on Dylan were the Paul Williams books ) anyway I believe he wrote that he believes Renaldo and Clara was in his opinion one of his true masterpieces .. Coming from him I find myself agreeing . I think he also
mentioned Hard Rain ? or Hard Rain gonna fall as others ?
I am just about 17 minutes into this and wanted to just say this is really interesting and enjoyable to watch -- I agree on Michael's view about Renaldo and Clara being great, and thought Erin described the Jimmy Vaughan coming on stage moment well!..
Thank you! I also agree with Michael’s interpretation of R&C! Hope to see you on tour soon.
I hadn't listened to his interpretation earlier (just his initial comment that it was great!).. but I am just watching that now, and this is really good to listen to someone speak about this. Interesting the two scenes that Michael initially mentioned.. When I Paint My Masterpiece.. and the scene in possibly a lobby -- link to something he says bit later on that I have mentioned to a few people over the years -- how this film is, the connections, the poetic links -- sometimes I suspect takes more views to see due to the quality of the versions seen. I really wish R&C could be seen in the original quality it was filmed. Those first two scenes that are mentioned here for example -- My first experience of watching the film was around 2002 via a VHS copy that I bought from the internet. The picture quality was at a level that I couldn't actually tell if Bob was wearing a mask in the opening scene! (I knew it looked strange, but I couldn't tell if it was just the picture quality) -- Just to mention that particular mask and a link to the next scene -- the mask is a transparent mask (it seems to me), which I think links to that next scene which Michael described well -- the link to the opening scene of Citizen Kane.
The scene in the lobby (my sense was that it was underground somewhere for some reason) seems to have low light. Even with the higher quality version that I have seen in recent years the scene is quite dark -- It's hard to see who is there, where they are.. so you really have to listen to the dialogue to work out what is going on here. There is a certain feeling to this.. as you watch this scene.. a sign. I feel though sometimes the quality of the versions people see might cause them to feel more that this darkness, this sense.. is just due to the quality of the picture, and it distracts from elements of the scenes. (I hope this makes some kind of sense.. I am still watching the interview here and just wanted to type a quick note here!).
Another fantastic conversation! I love the bits on Renaldo & Clara. I'm with Erin on Hearts of Fire, though. Might I suggest that "the punch" is an allusion to the scene in Pat Garrett, when he hits the guy with the rifle-butt. Both have the same awkward spring-loaded hip movements that seem more toy-like than actually violent.
Thank you, John! What an interesting take on the two! Now I have to rewatch both. ☺️
Awesome show and you two are fabulous. Non sequitur, Michael you'd enjoy Room to Dream by David Lynch and Kristine McKenna. I'm listening on audible. I bet you are steps ahead of me and know the book already.
I have indeed read Room to Dream and it’s the greatest shit ever. Every once in a while I think about Jack Nance and the “alluvial fan” and just bust out laughing
Thank you, Peter! Apologies for the delayed response. As always, I am grateful that you listen. In other news, Sunday’s book club was fantastic! Thank you for all the work you do.
Wonderful stuff.
The opening bit in Renaldo and Clara about Ratso and “I need access” always reminds me of Bob (via Frank) asking in the John Wesley Harding liner notes:
“ "And just how far would you like to go in?" he asked and the three kings all looked at each other. "Not too far but just far enough so's we can say that we've been there,"
Well, here it’s much, much further in, too far for the kings but surely not for us. I used to say, perhaps over simplistically, but trying to make a point that the movies are critical and open up insights into Dylan’s worldview we rarely get as clearly , that if you wanted to see how Bob Dylan saw himself in the 1960s, the 1970s and the 21st Century, then ETD, R&C and M&A showed you exactly that.
Like nightly_moth and yourselves I would love for a proper R&C release. I first saw it on it's initial release run in the 'art'/specialist cinemas in the UK at the Glasgow Film Centre. I've watched various VHS, DVD and online versions since and so the initial memory is now impossible to mentally recapture.
Apart from all the Dylan talk, The amazing bonus of a new Glover Smith movie that I had completely missed is very gratefully received. Hoping for another masterly foray into communication both spoken and unspoken. Plus, Promenade to anticipate with relish.
Thank you, Andrew, for your kind and thoughtful comment. I am always humbled by your feedback as your book on Dylan and Shakespeare is one of my favorites. Many thanks for taking time to listen or watch.
It would be a dream to have a proper release of R&C. How can we make that happen? If we could get a copy, we could show it guerrilla style like Jon Waters used to do - go from town to town and project it on buildings.
I agree that a new MGS movie is something to look forward to.
Again, many thanks for your kind response.
This was amazing. Being mentioned in the same breath as Richard Donner's holy, "Verisimilitude" gives me life!
Thank you, Henry! Of course we mentioned you! You’re in the short. ☺️
Great listen ! Michael’s future book is going to ‘ bust our brains out ‘
regarding R & C correct me if i’m wrong .. but awhile back reading Paul Williams ‘ Perforimg Artist the Middle Years ‘ ( some of the best books on Dylan were the Paul Williams books ) anyway I believe he wrote that he believes Renaldo and Clara was in his opinion one of his true masterpieces .. Coming from him I find myself agreeing . I think he also
mentioned Hard Rain ? or Hard Rain gonna fall as others ?
I agree! Michael’s book with Adam will be essential reading. Thank you for listening!