Bob Dylan

While I had planned to watch the musical biopic A Complete Unknown when I got around to it, my opportunity to view the film was hastened when I came across it on a recent Southwest Airlines flight.

Since I had the time, I began screening the film.  It didn’t take long before I found myself completely mesmerized by Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Bob Dylan and Edward Norton’s characterization of Pete Seeger.

But it wasn’t just the acting that captivated me.  It was the music as well.  Growing up in the ‘60s I was reared on the songs of Pete Seeger; The Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul and Mary; Simon and Garfunkel, and James Taylor.  While also exposed to the work of Bob Dylan, until I became immersed in the film, I’d forgotten how wide and pervasive the lexicon of his music is in our society.

By one count, Dylan has released more than 50 albums and has written more than 600 songs, some of the most famous being: Blowin’ in the Wind; Like A Rolling Stone; All Along The Watchtower; Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door and Make You Feel My Love.

According to the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, his songs have been covered more than 6,000 times by artists as diverse as Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, Guns N’ Roses, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, the Staple Singers, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Marley, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, Adele and U2. 

Irrespective of your age, the music you listened to in your youth, or your taste in music today, find the time to take in A Complete Unknown.  You won’t be disappointed.

Additional information on the film which is currently available on several streaming services can be accessed through the link below.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11563598/