Dylan Ex Machina

I dreamed about Dylan last night. I have him on my mind these days. I wonder a lot these days about what part off his folk and protest persona from the early sixties was real. Was any of it for real?

Lately I am doing a lot of wondering. I lost my Dad two months ago. It’s hard coming to terms with being an orphan. Even when you are 64 and your Dad was 89. Even if.

At Dad’s funeral, the cantor gave a beautiful rendition of the prayer that requests beneficial treatment of the departed soul. It’s very beautiful.

But while I was listening, the thought crossed my mind: “Is the cantor singing with kavana (meaning). Is his heart in it? Or is this just part of his professional persona. After all, he does so many funerals a month, how can he feel something special for my father? Is it religion, or just theater?”

If you haven’t heard it, here is a version.

After Dad’s funeral and shiva week, I flew home to my family and life. I had to prepare my talk on Bob Dylan for the Museum of the Jewish People.

The museum is throwing an exhibition is in honor of his 75th birthday. Dylan. Bob Dylan. Yet nothing about the beautiful displays ring true. Yes, he was born Jewish, but he renounced it. On his website, there are many more references to Jesus than any other Jews. Why then spend all kinds of money setting up an exhibit pretending that he is more than just born Jewish?

So here I am, looking at the exhibit and thinking about whether Dylan was ever for real? Did he really mean what he sang about, when he portrayed himself as a folk and protest guy. Was his rally to revolution in “The Times they are a Changin'” for real, or was he just writing the song?

Was Dylan for real? You decide.

Of course Kirby Ferguson has made a persuasive point about Dylan’s ‘borrowing’ of words and lyrics for his most famous songs. Warning: Dylan lovers will find this TED talk somewhat disheartening.

Wouldn’t it be great if Dylan would suddenly appear out of nowhere, grab the guitar and play Hava Nagila or sing The Times they are a Changing. Or maybe just trash the exhibition. A real Dylan ex machina. Just like the Marshall Mcluhan scene in Woody Allen’s movie “Annie Hall”. But of course life doesn’t work like that.

I dreamt I saw Dylan last night. If I ever met him, would I have the guts to ask him whether he was ever for real. Would he give me a real answer? In the meantime, I guess that the answer is blowing in the wind.

Hey!!! I have a name for my talk!