Entertainment report: If Bob Dylan had only visited Oakridge

By BEN OLSON/for The Herald  —  Bob Dylan’s first electric album, after four acoustic folk albums, was roundly criticized by some of his fans as being a sell out. Highway 61 Revisited was recorded in the summer of 1965 with a collection of musicians that were more familiar with rock music than folk.

Dylan in Eugene. Really?

According to sources, the original title was to be Highway 58 Revisited. Dylan was conducting a songwriters workshop in Eugene and was enamored with the history of Highway 58 and the fact that “8” was a really easy word to find rhymes for. 

The opening verse of the song was “I told my best buddy, I got me a date. I gassed up my Chevy, don’t wanna be late. I think I’m in love, I’m feeling so great. I’m gonna take her for a drive on Highway 58.” It was pointed out by one of the attendees of the songwriters workshop that, after writing classic folk songs full of meaning, symbolism and metaphor, this sounded like a blatant attempt to become “commercial.”

Other song lyrics, including “that big fat moon’s gonna shine like a spoon” were put away, to be used later in “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight.” Dylan reworked the song, now titled Highway 61 Revisited, before recording it, using biblical symbolism that he felt would work better on his first electric album. And now you know… the rest of the story. Do I have to tell you that I’m just fooling?

On to this week’s entertainment…

The Cramer Boys were a lot of fun at the Corner Bar last Saturday night. C.S. Hardy, a Eugene singer-songwriter, will be playing acoustic-American music at the Corner Bar and Grill from 10 pm until midnight this Saturday, February 25th. There’s no cover charge for the music. Here’s hoping for AC/DC sometime in the near future. Make it happen, Rob.

Eli Pierzina will be playing his soulful country covers and originals this Friday evening at the Dexter Lake Club. The show runs from 6 until 8 p.m. On Sunday night, February 26, Brian Chevalier and friends will be hosting the open mic and jam session. This is a great opportunity for you wanna-be rockers to get to sing in front of a band. The band starts playing at 6 p.m.

The Dexter Lake Club is located just off Highway 58 by milepost 12. They have a full bar and the adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. There is no cover charge for the live music. For more information, call 541 581 3000.

Have a croissant, a latte, and listen to Broken Horn

23 miles east on Highway 58 is the Lion Mountain Bakery in Oakridge. Singer-songwriter Broken Horn will be performing this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 24, 25 and 26, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. In addition to his original tunes, he has a great selection of pop and rock tunes from the 60’s. The Lion Mountain serves breakfast and lunch in a relaxed, spacious atmosphere. There is no cover charge for the live music.

Peter Wilde at the TLC

At the 3 Legged Crane on 1st Street in old town Oakridge, Peter Wilde and friends will be holding court this Saturday night, February 25. No word yet on who these friends will be. Peter always brings in top-shelf sidemen (and women) to help him make it through the night. The show begins at 7 p.m.

Stop in and join Ben and Gary at open mic

Gary Battles will be joining me in hosting the open mic this Thursday, February 23. We’ll be playing our first song at 6:30 p.m. The 3 Legged Crane has a nice selection of beers and ales, brewed on site and at other select Oregon microbreweries. They have appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. There is no cover charge for the live music.

Get your snow on and relax in the lodge with Ben

Willamette Pass Resort, at milepost 62, has some great skiing and snowboarding. They also have some live music in the bar from noon until 3 p.m. this Saturday, February 25. I’ll be splitting time with the guitar, uke and stand-up bass, playing songs you may recognize from another era. You don’t have to be a skier or boarder to stop in and enjoy the show. The Resort has a variety of food options and a full bar. As always, there is no cover charge for the live music.

 

To be fair to Bob Dylan, there are probably more rhymes for “one” than there are for “eight”. There aren’t many guys who rhyme things for a living who have won a Nobel Prize, as Bob has. Please support live music, and the musicians who make it.