Hard Rain & Slow Trains: Bob Dylan & Fellow Travelers

We celebrate the 200th episode of Hard Rain & Slow Trains by first catching up with news about Bob Dylan and his fellow travelers since the previous episode in February. Then, things take an odd turn: the radio show is taken over by Ms. Maria and Miss Lucy who run things the way they want. In "Who Did It Better?" you are first tasked by Ms. Maria to do better, than you are asked by Miss Lucy to vote who did "Gorgeous" better, Taylor Swift or the anonymous "Bob Dylan Taylor Swift" Youtube musician. Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

In October of 1963, Bob Dylan performed one of his great shows on the stage of one of the great venues, he finished recording his third album, he performed in concert halls in Pennsylvania and Michigan, he dueted with Joan Baez in Los Angeles, he wrote a poem to Baez, he gave two interviews, and he was publicly humiliated by a weekly national magazine in an article that would mark a pivot in how he interacted with both his audience and the press. Take a “Highway of Diamonds” back 60 years to the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in October of 1963. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in October of 1963 and in February of 2024. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" better: Bob Dylan on the stage of Carnegie Hall on October 26, 1963 or Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers on that same Carnegie Hall stage 724 months later on February 26, 2024. Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

In August and September of 1963, Bob Dylan began appearing as a special guest at Joan Baez concerts; he had three recording sessions for THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN', his third album; he sang before a quarter of a million people at the March for Jobs and Freedom in Washington, D.C.; he recorded more demos for his publisher M. Witmark and Songs; and he accepted Baez's invitation to return with her to Carmel for a retreat away from the world and some time to compose new songs. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in August and September of 1963 and in 2023. Happy new year, everyone!

In July of 1963, Bob Dylan traveled to Greenwood, Mississippi, final resting place of Robert Johnson, to perform at a Voter Registration Rally, traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to perform for Columbia executives, and traveled to Minnesota to perform for friends, he recorded a television performance that would air the following month, but above all he performed at the Newport Folk Festival. He performed at Newport and, as Robert Shelton wrote, “he left a star.” Take a “Highway of Diamonds” back 60 years to the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in July of 1963. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in July of 1963 and in 2023. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Only a Pawn in the Game" better: Bob Dylan from the Newport Folk Festival in 1963 or Morrissey for his 2019 album California Son. Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

In May and June of 1963, Bob Dylan performed his first concert in California (where he sang his first duet with Joan Baez), walked off the set of THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, and finally saw his second album, which he had been working on for a year, appear in record stores. Take a “Highway of Diamonds” back 60 years to the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in the late spring of 1963: May and June. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in May and June of 1963 and in 2023, which includes the passing of two towering musical figures. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chancer" better: Bob Dylan from THE FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN or Earl Scruggs. Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

50 years ago, Bob Dylan recorded the soundtrack to PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID, helped some friends in the studio, including producing the only non-Bob Dylan album he ever produced, began rehearsing with The Band for an anticipated concert tour, signed with a new record label after 11 years with Columbia, and went into a studio and recorded his only studio album with The Band. All of this occurred against a changing cultural background that inaugurated the cultural decade of the Seventies. It's the golden anniversary of the birth of the Seventies, so we are pausing half-way through our own calendar year of 2023 to travel back 50 years to hear the music that Dylan was making and, in "20 Pounds of Headlines," to hear the news from the world of Bob Dylan as it was in 1973, as well as 2023. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote for who did "Tough Mama" better: Bob Dylan and The Band in 1973 or the Jerry Garcia Band? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

In April of 1963, Bob Dylan showcased his own songs to his largest audience yet, he finished recording for his second album, and he returned to the stages of coffee houses and clubs…until he became too big for coffee houses and clubs. Take a “Highway of Diamonds” back 60 years to the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in April of 1963...60 years ago to the month. This episode is exceptionally long (the longest ever) as it attempts to showcase Dylan's repertoire in April of 1963 by selecting different performances from that month. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in April of 1963 and in 2023. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Seven Curses" better: Bob Dylan on the stage of Town Hall on April 12, 1963 or Joan Baez accompanied with Bob Weir 60 years later in 2023. Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

A happy 82nd birthday to Bob Dylan from HARD RAIN & SLOW TRAINS: BOB DYLAN & FELLOW TRAVELERS from 2019 to today!

This episode is marchin' down the line...to explore Bob Dylan's March of 1963. The 60th anniversary is the diamond anniversary – visit the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in March of 1963...60 years ago to the month. Dylan appears on television for the first time in the United States, he does a couple different radio shows, he again records for Witmark and Sons, his publishing company, and his lyrics are featured in two issues of BROADSIDE magazine. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in March of 1963 and 2023, including memorials to Billy "The Kid" Emerson, Harry Belafonte, and Gordon Lightfoot, and news about a forthcoming Dylan album due in June. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Walkin' Down the Line" better: Arlo Guthrie at Woodstock or Sierra Ferrell. Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Dylan is in the midst of a five-night residency at the Tokyo Garden Theater before he concludes his 11-date tour of Japan with three nights in Nagoya. To commemorate his 2023 tour of Japan, HARD RAIN & SLOW TRAINS: BOB DYLAN & FELLOW TRAVELERS concludes a two-part series featuring "'Pearls from Japan': Bob Dylan in Japan." Hear highlights of Bob Dylan's Japanese concerts over the decades: 1978 to 2018. This second part features performances from 1994 to 2023...just the other night! "20 Pounds of Headlines" includes an update on Dylan's 2023 tour itinerary and news about James Mangold's upcoming biopic of Dylan, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. "Who Did It Better?" returns this week and we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Forever Young" better: Japanese tenor Yosuke Yamamoto or Bob Dylan in Tokyo on February 28, 1978? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

On April 6, Bob Dylan returned to the stage for the first concert of 2023...in Japan. To commemorate the occasion, HARD RAIN & SLOW TRAINS: BOB DYLAN & FELLOW TRAVELERS launches the first of a two-part series featuring "'Pearls from Japan': Bob Dylan in Japan part 1". Hear highlights of Bob Dylan's Japanese concerts over the decades: 1978 to 2018. This first part features performances from 1978 to 1994. "20 Pounds of Headlines" includes an update on Dylan's 2023 tour itinerary, news about his new drummer, the relocation and opening date of the Heaven's Door whiskey bar, The Last Refuge, and the two portraits of Dylan that featured in Celine's "Portrait of a Performer" ad campaign. "Who Did It Better?" will return next week in part two.

It is an ice-cold, snowy, slushy-street February in New York City in 1963, which is where the “Highway of Diamonds” takes us this month. The 60th anniversary is the diamond anniversary – visit the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in February of 1963...60 years ago to the month. Dylan appears on a radio show, records for both Witmark and Broadside, is photographed for the cover of his next album, and has 12 songs recorded – in some accompanied by Happy Traum on banjo – for what would eventually be called “The Banjo Tape.” In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in February of 1963 and February of 2023. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Only a Hobo" better: Bob Dylan in Folkways Studios for BROADSIDE Records in February of 1963 or Hamilton Camp  in 1964 for his second album. Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

It is a new year, which means that the “Highway of Diamonds” that takes us back 60 years – the 60th anniversary is the diamond anniversary – now takes us back to a new destination: 1963.  Visit the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in January of 1963...60 years ago to the month. The year begins with Dylan in London, rehearsing for the BBC television play authored by Evan Jones: MADHOUSE ON CASTLE STREET, performing in London clubs, and interviewed by Ronnie Gilbert for THE SCENE. On January 4, the taping for MADHOUSE ON CASTLE STREET occurs, wherein Dylan appears as Bobby the Hobo. The next day he flies to Rome where he attends an Odetta concert, performs at a folk music club, and visits the Catacombs; he records with Richard Fariña, Eric Von Schmidt, and Ethan Signer back in London; he returns to NYC and reunites with Suze Rotolo after a seven-month absence; he records with Happy Traum for Broadside Records, and he performs his new song "Masters of War" for Izzy Young and Alan Lomax in Lomax's NYC apartment while a tape recorder is running. Other new songs this month include "Girl from the North Country" and "Boots of Spanish Leather." In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in January of 1963 and early 2023. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Masters of War" better: Bob Dylan in Alan Lomax's apartment in January of 1963 or Judy Collins a few months later in 1963 for her third album? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

We don't know what's around the bend, but we're heading there through 2023. This episode plays Dylan songs & those of fellow travelers dealing with what's around the bend. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes news about a new Dylan art book, a reminder about the forthcoming Bootleg Series, Dylan's ranking on ROLLING STONE'S new "200 Greatest Singers" list (a revision of its 2008 "100 Greatest Singers" list), and speculation about a 4k restoration of a film with Dylan in it that may be released in 2023. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "Death is Not the End" better: The Waterboys or Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds? Be sure to go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Our fourth annual end-of-year, year in review episode of HARD RAIN & SLOW TRAINS: BOB DYAN & FELLOW TRAVELERS looks back to the year's worth of activities of the philosopher pirate, Bob Dylan. We remember those who we lost in 2022 and also review 2022 highlights from the world of Bob Dylan from another busy year. Happy New Year everybody!

This episode concludes the 2022 monthly series that has been celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST with this the tenth and final episode, exploring the album's final song, "Roll on John," John Lennon, and death as an odyssey. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes director James Mangold's announcement about the title of his upcoming Bob Dylan biopic and news about Ryan Adams's recording – and making available as a free digital download on his website – his own version of Blood on the Tracks. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did “Roll on John" (the Margaret Mayo/Rufus Crisp song) better: Bob Dylan in 1962 or The Greenbriar Boys in 1964? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

In this episode we wrap up our year-long exploration of Bob Dylan's 1962. This month we are visiting December, when Bob Dylan enters Columbia Recording Studio A for the seventh and what he believed would be the final time before completing his second studio album (this turned out not to be the case), and then he boards a plane on December 16 in order to head to London to perform in Madhouse on Castle Street for the BBC: his first trip abroad. A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week – as we have throughout 2022 – we take a trip on "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in December of 1962 and December of 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us which version of "Hero Blues" is better: the first or the fourth take? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST, featuring the eighth track on the album, "Tin Angel," necessitating a consideration of the presence of the murder ballad in Dylan's work and his narrative songs in general. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes Dylan's statement about his use of Autopen, the opening of Retrospectrum in Rome, and some developments that may get the proposed James Mangold Dylan biopic, Going Electric, closer to being greenlit. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did “Blackjack Davey" better: Bob Dylan or The White Stripes? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Visit the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in November of 1962 as we travel "A Highway of Diamonds" back 60 years. Dylan returns to the Columbia Recording Studio A in Manhattan to finish recording his first single and to continue recording his second album. He performs at Gerde's Folk City and he prepares to leave for England. A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week, and throughout the year, we will periodically take a trip on "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in November of 1962 and November of 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us which version of "Mixed Up Confusion" is better: the one recorded on November 1, 1962 and released 23 years later on BIOGRAPH or the one recorded on November 14, 1962 and released one month later as the A-side to Dylan's first single? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST, featuring the seventh track on the album, "Early Roman Kings." In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes the long-awaited news about Bootleg Series vol. 17 on TIME OUT OF MIND, the wrapping up of Dylan's 2022 tour, and the passing of a musician fellow traveler. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did “Early Roman Kings" better: Peter Case or Bob Dylan? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Because of the Cuban Missile Crisis, it is a fraught month, but the day before the Crisis begins — although the Crisis was not made public for another week — Dylan performs the first of what could legitimately join his (considerably long) list of "greatest concerts." Certainly, his Gaslight performance after hours with the closed sign on the door reveals Dylan in a character and mood he would not often sustain for an entire concert again. At the end of the month, he is back in the studio performing songs for what would become The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, but instead of leaning into the tender emotive voice of the Gaslight show less than two weeks before, he plays a couple rock & roll numbers. A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week we are back to walking "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in October of 1962 and October of 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Corrina Corrina" better: Bob Dylan, from the B-side of his first single, or the just recently departed Jerry Lee Lewis? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

“It could have been a last waltz,” Bill Flanagan wrote, “instead, it turned out to be rock & roll's greatest half time show." Thirty years ago, Sony Music hosted Columbia Records Celebrates the Music of Bob Dylan at Madison Square Garden on October 16, 1992. A double-CD concert album and a concert film, both titled Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration were released to memorialize the event. This episode will memorialize the memorialization, contextualize the concert within the lineage of other great multiact, multiheaded concerts and festivals, and it will also strip bare some of the event's mythologization. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan as it was in 1992 and today, including a brief clip of Dylan reading from his forthcoming THE PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN SONG, an update on his current tour itinerary, and a special guest review of another much more recent Bob Dylan Tribute Concert that took place at Town Hall in New York City, this review written by our listener Jon Olson of Arlington. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you who did "When I Paint My Masterpiece" better live, Jerry Garcia and John Kahn or The Band (minus Robbie Robertson) with Richard Bell and Jim Weider on the stage of Madison Square Garden for Columbia Records Celebrates the Music of Bob Dylan? For past episodes featuring the music of the Columbia Records Celebrates the Music of Bob Dylan concert, look up the following episodes of HARD RAIN & SLOW TRAINS: BOB DYLAN & FELLOW TRAVELERS: 10/29/2020: “All Those Who've Sailed with Me: Bob Dylan & His Bands part 3,” 6/10/2021: “The Great Pretender: The Music of Chrissie Hynde,” 11/11/2021: “Bloomington,” and 11/25/2021: “Playing to the Big Crowds, Playing to the Cheap Seats: Bob Dylan & The Beatles part 2.” You might also like to listen to 10/8/2020: “The Rock Era” for some more context concerning multiact and multiheaded concerts and festivals.

Last Friday, September 30, 2022 was the 25th anniversary of the release of Time Out of Mind, an album whose artistic and commercial success proved an important contributor to Dylan's continued reinvigoration and late career success, a success that has continued to this day. This episode celebrates that album with a consideration of its making, its distinctiveness, and, of course, through its music. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we update you on Dylan's European tour itinerary, tell you who will be reading the audiobook version of Dylan's forthcoming THE PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN SONG, and mark the passing of a powerful and distinctive songwriter and singer. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote for which version of “Mississippi,” as recorded for TIME OUT OF MIND, is better: The outtake from the 1996 Teatro recording sessions in Oxnard, California, or outtake #2 or #3 from Criteria Studios in Miami.Please check out the Dylan.FM podcast over at the Freak Music Club: https://dylanfmc.castos.com. Craig Danuloff has put together a nice collection of essays celebrating the 25th anniversary of TIME OUT OF MIND and his work is a wonderful contribution to our understanding of Bob Dylan's masterpiece, now a quarter of a century old. I would like to again thank Mr. Danuloff for his permission to replay part of his interview with Scott Warmuth, a perennial friend to HARD RAIN & SLOW TRAINS: BOB DYLAN & FELLOW TRAVELERS.  

25 years ago Bob Dylan released an album whose artistic and commercial success proved an important contributor to his continued reinvigoration and late career success, a success that has continued to this day. This episode celebrates that album with a consideration of its making, its distinctiveness, and, of course, through its music. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we update you on Dylan's European tour itinerary, remind you about a great Youtube Channel, and provide more information about both the SHADOW KINGDOM and T-Bone Burnett Ionic Originals recording sessions from 2021. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote for which version of “Can't Wait” is better: The alternate version from the Teatro in Oxnard, California, the alternate version from Criteria Studios in Miami, or the album version.

Visit the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in August and September of 1962 as we travel "A Highway of Diamonds" back 60 years ago. Dylan takes a trip back to Minnesota and, missing his girlfriend who was in Italy, calls up Dave Van Ronk in New York and tells John Cohen that he may never  return there without her. He legally changes his name to Bob Dylan, signs with Albert Grossman, plays parties for friends and joins the Carnegie Hall Hootenanny sixty years ago to the night of this episode's broadcast, where he unveils "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" to the world (he had debuted it before a small crowd at the Gaslight Cafe a few days earlier). A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week, and throughout the year, we will periodically take a trip on "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in August & September of 1962 and September of 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Tomorrow is a Long Time" better: Ian & Sylvia or The Seldom Scene? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST, featuring the sixth track on the album, "Scarlet Town." In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes a countdown (from 10) until  Dylan's first tour of Europe in 3 years begins in 10 days. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did the seventeenth-century traditional Scottish ballad "Barbara Allen"  better: the Everly Brothers or Bob Dylan? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST, featuring the fifth track on the album, "Pay in Blood." Given that this episode airs on September 8, 2022 and TEMPEST was released on September 10, 2012, this episode also includes some general remarks about the album on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of its release. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes a reminder that Dylan's first tour of Europe in 3 years begins in 17 days. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us which is better: "Someone's Got a Hold of My Heart" or the song it turned into, "Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anyone Seen My Love?)"? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST, featuring the fourth track on the album, "Long and Wasted Years." In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes new shows added to Dylan's 2022 autumn tour of Europe; the appearance of the table of contents of Dylan's new book, THE PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN SONG, online, including the 66 songs about which he will be writing; and the passing of Jerry Allison, the drummer of The Crickets. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did "Twist and Shout" better: The Top Notes, the Isley Brothers or The Beatles? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Join Dr. Sara Martinez for a summary of her scholarly work on Dylan, which includes her dissertation on how Dylan's work from 1962-1970 upends traditional masculine roles of breadwinner and soldier and also her current work on the Rolling Thunder Revue. We also play some music from some of her favorite performers. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, including rumors pertaining to both the James Mangold GOING ELECTRIC film and the next volume of the Bootleg Series. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)" better, The White Stripes or Robert Plant? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST, featuring the third track on the album, "Narrow Way." A seven-and-half minute, fifteen-bar blues that gives voice to the struggle of keeping one's faith in a hostile world, "Narrow Way" is explored through a close examination of its lyrical allusions and the meaning of the song. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes a report about Joni Mitchell's triumphant return to the stage at the Newport Folk Festival after twenty years, and, crucially, seven years after suffering a debilitating brain aneurism. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did "Narrow Way" better: Klaudia Kroboth or Karl Wright? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Tour the pivotal developments of Bob Dylan's professional life in July of 1962 as we travel "A Highway of Diamonds" back 60 years ago to the month and visit Dylan as he performs in Montreal, records "Blowin' in the Wind" and other songs for THE FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN, makes new friends, writes his beloved who is across the sea in Italy, and signs with a new music publisher. A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week, and throughout the year, we will periodically take a trip on "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in July of 1962 and July of 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Worried Blues" better: its writer Hally Wood or Bob Dylan as recorded on July 9, 1962? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

In late May, Bob Dylan resumed touring with a leg that went up and down the American West Coast, the Pacific Northwest, and into the Rocky Mountains. He performed 25 concerts in 19 cities, his last one wrapping up a week-and-a-half ago in Denver. Join HARD RAIN & SLOW TRAINS: BOB DYLAN & FELLOW TRAVELERS for a postgame review of the late spring/early summer 2022 leg of the "ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS" World Wide Tour/2021-2024. You will hear highlights from the shows and comparisons between the evolving arrangements of certain songs. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," you will hear an update about Dylan's plans to tour Europe in the autumn, what special plans Cat Power has for the Royal Albert Hall in November, and you will hear about the auction of an ultra-rare version of THE FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us which live version of "Key West (Philosopher Pirate)" by Bob Dylan is better: a November 21, 2021 arrangement from the Beacon Theatre in New York last fall or a June 23, 2022 arrangement from Santa Cruz a few weeks ago? Go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues our intermittent series featuring a single Dylan song and today's episode explores one of Dylan's great narrative songs: "Simple Twist of Fate." You'll hear studio and live performances of “Simple Twist of Fate” by both Dylan -- some with interesting lyric variations -- and fellow travelers and a special medley of 30 different cover versions of the song. The weekly news segment “20 Pounds of Headlines” tells you about the conclusion of Dylan's latest leg of his tour and also updates you on the auction of the ionic original of a 2021 studio recording of Blowin' in the Wind...and shares news about an upcoming auction of an extremely rare and collectible version of THE FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN (1963). In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "Simple Twist of Fate" better: The Jerry Garcia Band or Sean Costello? Go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

50 years ago Bob Dylan helped out his friends both on the stage and in the studio, moved his family to Durango to film PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID with director Sam Peckinpah, and otherwise enjoyed one of the few quiet years of his career. Travel back 50 years ago to hear the music that Dylan was making and, in "20 Pounds of Headlines," to hear the news from the world of Bob Dylan as it was in 1972, as well as 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote for who did "Tennessee Blues" better back in 1972: the song's writer Bobby Charles or Doug Sahm with Bob Dylan performing harmonica? It's the golden (50th) anniversary of this interesting year, in some respects a precursor to the much more active 1975, so we are pausing half-way through our own calendar year of 2022 to look back.

This episode continues a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST, featuring the second track on the album, "Soon After Midnight," through songs that influenced its composition, live versions, cover versions, and also through a consideration of the song's meaning and allusions. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes an overview of Dylan's tour itinerary for the upcoming week, a report on Dylan's sale of his Traveling Wilburys share of master royalties and neighboring rights royalties to Primary Wave Music, a report that T-Bone Burnett is still looking to release 20 more recordings by the New Basement Tapes of songs created from unfinished BASEMENT TAPES era lyrics, and a happy birthday to a special figure of cultural significance. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did "Soon After Midnight" better: Aoife O'Donovan or John Glase & The Burnt Remains? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Join us for a tour of Bob Dylan's professional life in May and June of 1962 as we travel "A Highway of Diamonds" back 60 years ago to the month and visit Dylan as he records a Broadside show on topical songwriting on WBAI in New York along with Cynthia Gooding, Pete Seeger, Izzy Young, Gil Turner, and Sis Cunningham and as he bids adieu to his love from a New York ship dock. A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week, and throughout the year, we periodically take a trip on "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in May and June of 1962 and May and June of 2022, including a special airing of three songs from the past week from Dylan's touring of the Pacific Northwest. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "The Death of Emmett Till" better: Bob Dylan as performed on WBAI in May of 1962 or Coulson, Dean, McGuinness, Flint as recorded ten years later in 1972? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

On May 10, 2022, the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma opened its doors. This episode delivers a comprehensive overview and review of the Center and the events surrounding its opening. The weekly news segment “20 Pounds of Headlines” covers the May 5 Grand Opening Reception and Dinner at the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, delivers the sad news of the passing of a fellow traveler, updates you on Dylan's spring and early summer touring itinerary, informs you about the results from RR Auction's auctioning of Dylan's 1960 manuscript POEMS WITHOUT TITLES, informs you about the recording of THE GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY'S production, describes the new Dylan sculpture, RAIL CAR, revealed at Château La Coste in Provence, France, and, of course, wishes Bob Dylan a happy birthday and many years. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "I Threw It All Away" better: Bob Dylan in 1978 or Elvis Costello and the Imposters (along with Dylan's former guitarist Charlie Sexton) at Cain's Ballroom on May 7, 2022 while celebrating the opening of the Bob Dylan Center? Go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote! PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED UPON MY RETURN FROM TULSA, ON MAY 20, AND I INTENDED TO BROADCAST IT EARLIER THAN IT WAS BROADCAST, BUT THE ASSEMBLING OF THE SHOW TOOK LONGER THAN EXPECTED, THEREFORE SOME OF THE REFERENCES TO DATES, SUCH AS DYLAN'S MAY 24 BIRTHDAY ARE MADE AS IF THE EVENT HAD NOT YET HAPPENED.

This episode continues our monthly series featuring a single Dylan song and marks the 60th anniversary of the composition of "Blowin' in the Wind" in April of 1962. You'll hear studio and live performances of “Blowin' in the Wind” by Dylan and fellow travelers and a special medley of 28 different versions of the song. The weekly news segment “20 Pounds of Headlines” tells you about a new recording project for Dylan done in partnership with T-Bone Burnett and announces the new director of the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us which version of "Blowin' in the Wind" is better: Bob Dylan in Budokan on March 1, 1978 or Bob Dylan at Earl's Court in London on June 27, 1981? Go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Join us for a tour of Bob Dylan's professional life in April of 1962 as we travel "A Highway of Diamonds" back 60 years ago to the month and visit Dylan as he writes "Blowin' in the Wind," begins the recording sessions for his second album, and performs at Gerde's and other locations both alone and with fellow travelers. A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week, and throughout the year, we will periodically take a trip on "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in April of 1962 and April of 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Milkcow's Calf Blues" better: Robert Johnson or Bob Dylan as recorded on April 25, 1962? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST. Broadcasting on April 14th, the 110th anniversary of the Titanic's fateful convergence with the iceberg, how could we not dedicate this episode to the song that gave the album its name, "Tempest"? In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes a final update on Dylan's spring 2022 tour, which concludes this evening. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did "When That Great Ship Went Down" better: Woody Guthrie or Bob Gibson? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues the expedition we began last week, following the musical map Dylan has drawn for us as the spring tour winds to a close. The weekly news segment “20 Pounds of Headlines” keeps you updated on the itinerary for the final week of Dylan's spring tour, updates you on the appeal result for Claudia Levy's suit against Dylan, and updates you on ticket availability for the festivities surrounding the opening of the Bob Dylan Center. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "Maybe Baby" better: Waylon Jennings or Buddy Holly? Go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote.

Dylan has told us that he is a musical expeditionary. In the midst of his band introductions throughout the fall and spring tours he mentioned performers local to the city he is playing. Join us for this two-part series where we draw a musical map of the musical expedition Dylan has led us on even as the spring tour winds to a close. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which updates you on the imminent itinerary of Dylan's tour and alerts you to the appearance of a Dylan song in a popular new streaming show, news on 4k UHD releases for THE LAST WALTZ and PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID, and alerts you that Dylan's November book, THE PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN SONG can now be pre-ordered through Simon & Schuster. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" better: Richie Havens or The Seldom Scene? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues our monthly series featuring a single Dylan song and today's episode occurs the day after the 33rd anniversary of the recording of "Series of Dreams" in New Orleans, where Dylan just performed last Saturday. You'll hear studio and live performances of “Series of Dreams” by Dylan and fellow travelers. The weekly news segment “20 Pounds of Headlines” will keep you updated on the imminent itinerary of Dylan's tour and some exciting news about events preceding the opening of the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "Series of Dreams" better: Zimmermen or Zita Swoon? Go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote.

The recording session with Victoria Spivey & Big Joe Williams, playing some tunes at a NYC apartment gathering, finishing "Let Me Die in My Footsteps, writing "Talking Folklore Center," and, of course, the debut of his first album: join us for a tour of Bob Dylan's professional life in March of 1962 as we travel "A Highway of Diamonds" back 60 years ago to the month. A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week, and throughout the year, we will periodically take a trip on "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. This week, we listen to what Bob Dylan was up to in March of 1962. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in March of 1962 and March of 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "You're No Good" better: Jesse Fuller or Bob Dylan off his debut album released on March 19, 1962? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode covers highlights of the first week of Bob Dylan's Spring 2022 tour, focusing on performances from Tucson and Albuquerque. In addition to performances from Tucson and Albuquerque, you will hear music from Buddy Holly, who was born in Lubbock, Texas where Dylan played this past Tuesday, March 8th. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, including the surprising news of THE PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN SONG, a collection of sixty essays by Bob Dylan to be published by Simon & Schuster November 8, 2022, and we also cover Dylan's upcoming tour itinerary. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did recent tour-highlight "I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You" better, the Cowboy Junkies or Trapper Schoepp? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

Tonight, March 3rd, Bob Dylan returns to the stage for the first day of Dylan's 28-date concert tour through the Southwest and South of the United States. This "pregame" episode features music from the individual members of Dylan's touring band as well as highlights from Dylan's Fall 2021 tour. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we cover the first week-and-a-half of Dylan's Spring tour itinerary, the May 10th opening of the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Dylan getting into NFTs, and Randy Newman postponing his European tour due to a neck injury. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "I'm Movin' On" better: Hank Snow or Leon Russell with Dylan's touring guitarist Bob Britt? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode launches a monthly, ten-part series celebrating the tenth anniversary of TEMPEST by taking a deep dive into each of the album's songs. This first episode features the first track on the album: "Duquesne Whistle" by playing cover versions, songs that influenced Dylan & Robert Hunter when they wrote the song, and also by considering the song's meaning. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we round up news from the world of Bob Dylan, which includes news on Dylan's Spring 2022 tour, beginning in one week. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote this week to tell us who did "Duquesne Whistle" better: Benmont Tech or Ed McKendry? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode continues our monthly series featuring a single Dylan song and today's episode occurs on the 56th anniversary of the recording of "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" in Nashville: February 17, 1966. You'll hear how Dylan's performance of it changes over the decades and also how the song changes in the hands and voices of fellow travelers. "20 Pounds of Headlines" is on hiatus this week in order to make room for more performances of the song from which the segment derives its name. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" better: Joe Louis Walker or Cat Power? Go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote.

A February in NYC is cold, so let's duck out of the snow-filled Village streets and set our dial on the wireless radio to hear about a month in the professional life of Bob Dylan from 60 years ago. A 60th anniversary is a diamond anniversary, so this week, and throughout the year, we will periodically take a trip on "a highway of diamonds," exploring the events of Bob Dylan's career sixty years ago. This week, we listen to what Bob Dylan was up to in February of 1962. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we bring you news from the world of Bob Dylan, both in February of 1962 and February of 2022. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to vote and tell us who did "Rambling, Gambling Willie" better: Townes van Zandt or The Clancy Brothers & Robbie O'Connell? Listen to the episode, then go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote!

This episode explores the meaning and the music of MASKED AND ANONYMOUS, which was filmed 20 years ago and released 19 years ago. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we remember drummer Sam Lay, pianist Hargus 'Pig' Robbins, and Ventures guitarist Don Wilson, who all passed away in the past week, we get a reminder about Dylan's Spring tour tickets that are now on sale, and we get a report on the upcoming Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder tribute album to the music of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us which version of "I'll Remember You" by Bob Dylan is better: an alternate studio version from 1985 recently released just last year on SPRINGTIME IN NEW YORK: BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 16 or the 2002 version recorded for MASKED AND ANONYMOUS? Go to the HARD RAIN & SLOW TRAINS Twitter page @RainTrains to vote.

This episode kicks off an intermittent series that will feature a single song in order to both reveal how Dylan's performance of it changes over the decades and also to hear how the song changes in the hands and voices of fellow travelers. The song for tonight is "The Times They Are A-Changin'," written in September of 1963, recorded in October of 1963, and released on January 3, 1964. In "20 Pounds of Headlines," we cover Monday's Spring 2022 Tour announcement and itinerary and we also cover the announcement from Sony Music Entertainment that it purchased the commercial rights to all of Dylan's master recordings in July of 2021. In "Who Did It Better?" we ask you to tell us who did "The Times They Are A-Changin'" better: A Whisper In The Noise or Mountain? Go to our Twitter page @RainTrains to vote.