Movies

How important are Bob Dylan’s Jewish roots? Entertaining bio doesn’t really answer the question

BBG News

In “Bob Dylan: Jewish Roots, American Soil,” Harry Freedman’s latest work, the word “probably” sees extensive use, reflecting the blend of fervor and speculation in the book. One intriguing theory proposed in this book is that despite Robert Zimmerman, later known as Bob Dylan, adopting an anglicized name and fabricating aspects of his background, he actually worked diligently to distance himself from his Jewish roots. However, Freedman suggests subtly that elements of Dylan’s Jewish heritage continued to play a pivotal role in his art and self-image, influencing his advocacy for social justice and the creation of his unique persona.

The concept is engaging, yet it’s not fully defined by Freedman, often referred to as the UK’s foremost author of works about Jewish culture and history. Despite occasionally veering off topic, his exploration is entertaining. He strays from the main point for extensive periods, but manages to offer an engaging account of Dylan’s transformation from an obscure folk icon to a counterculture sensation, and for some, a questionable figure in the folk movement. This phase of Dylan’s life is also the focus of the recent film “A Complete Unknown,” which is adapted from Elijah Wald’s excellent book “Dylan Goes Electric.” There will always be an abundance of films and books about Dylan.

Why should you give this a read? It’s unique, much like Freedman’s writing style, which is somewhat reminiscent of a modernized Beat poet’s rhythm, as Dylan himself admired. Freedman, author of “Leonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius,” has an unconventional approach to punctuation; his sentences sometimes flow together so seamlessly that you might search for periods without finding them. His sentence structure can be unpredictable at times, such as “Coming on at midnight to perform just two numbers, the crowd went wild.” Indeed, it seems reasonable to assume that the crowd would react enthusiastically if they appeared on stage at midnight or any other time, really.

Review

In ‘A Complete Unknown,’ a cryptic Bob Dylan comes into view, gifted and callous

Guided by Timothée Chalamet alongside an exceptional ensemble featuring Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning, director James Mangold’s movie vividly portrays the harsh aspects of Bob Dylan.

In a heartfelt, youthful style reminiscent of young adult literature, Freedman could rephrase as follows: “Amidst the tumultuous times of the ’50s and ’60s, marked by the civil rights struggle, the Red Scare, rock and roll, and other significant sociopolitical upheavals, Freedman can take on a sincere voice: ‘At this juncture in their lives, these youngsters just wanted to have a good time. Yet, unbeknownst to them, they would end up shaping the world instead. There was no racial bias when it came to their passion for music.'”

However, he can also catch readers off guard with his clever and playful humor. Regarding the protesters clashing with police during the “Beatnik riot” at Washington Square Park in 1961: “A few decided to sit in the fountain and sing ‘We Shall Not be Moved.’ And indeed, they were.

Mary Rotolo, Dylan’s girlfriend Suze’s mother, didn’t feel the same maternal affection towards him as some of the older women who had cared for Bob when he first came to New York, likely because Dylan wasn’t involved with their 17-year-old daughters. Despite its questionable foundation, “Jewish Roots” remains engaging due to its captivating voice.

Firstly, there’s the problem of assumptions, which is a broader issue related to speculative ideas lacking concrete evidence. For instance, “Bob Dylan was probably in the park that April day in 1961.” Similarly, about manager Albert Grossman, it’s suggested that their shared Jewish background likely fostered a bond and mutual ambition for success at the time. However, this notion is questionable and doesn’t always hold up well, as seen in statements like “Blessed with temperamental Jewish volatility.” Such assertions are somewhat uncertain and seem to be overused as a weak argumentative tool, contributing to an overall lack of coherence in the book.

Music

On Friday evening, the titans of American music took the stage during the yearly Outlaw Music Festival’s visit to the Hollywood Bowl.

In other instances, Freedman is quite direct when discussing this topic. Here, he explains Dylan’s reaction upon learning that his friend and fellow musician Ramblin’ Jack Elliott was also Jewish: “Dylan found solace in realizing he wasn’t alone, as his friends’ suspicions were validated; Bob Dylan was indeed Jewish. And interestingly enough, this didn’t make a difference at all. That’s the peculiar nature of being Jewish. Bigots despise you, admirers envy you, and everyone else is indifferent. It’s a truth that every Jew grappling with their identity eventually understands: to shed self-consciousness and embrace who you truly are.

If no one seems interested in the reason behind this book, it’s reasonable to question its purpose. However, “Jewish Roots, American Soil” offers enjoyable reading, despite appearing uncertain about which connections it intends to draw. It’s not surprising that such a famously enigmatic and self-legendizing figure like Bob Dylan doesn’t always conform to our expectations.

Vognar is a freelance culture writer.

Read More

2025-06-10 13:31

Previous post TOWIE’s Lauren Goodger showcases her curves in a skintight unitard as she squeezes in a workout while filming in Portugal
Next post Free Destined in Blue Privaty Skin Coming July Update