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A Martin Scorsese Picture

Martin Scorsese captured the culture and times of the 1950's and 60's America in the documentary "No Direction Home." Similarly, Bob Dylan captured the times in his poetry and songwriting displayed in the film. He later came to the understanding of how timeless these songs really were and are. "Blowing in the Wind" and "Don't think twice its Alright" are as important today as they were when they were conceived. Bob, a modern day prophet, wrote songs about the changes to come in this world, "The Times they are a Changing" "Masters of War" and "Hard Rain" are examples of this pretense.

The Scorsese documentary tracks Dylan from his childhood home of Hibbling, Minnesota in 1950 where he was known by his birth name "Robert Zimmerman," to the streets of Greenwich Village in New York City in the 1960's. From his initial inspiration listening to the Grand Ole Opry and such acts as Hank Williams, and Johnny Ray on an old mahogany radio to the center of the artistic movement in America, where artists, sometimes referred to as Bohemians made themselves at home. At the center of this scene was Washington Square Park, where poets and musicians would spend their days writing and performing to the people in the park so they could get the word out through "word of mouth." It was here that people would come and see them play in the evening at one of The Village's many coffee houses which were also known as "Basket Houses." Beat Poets and Performers would pass around a basket during their set and this was how they would get paid enough to eat and might and on a good night, even be able to sleep under some clean sheets.

Dylan performed in those coffeehouses and stayed true to his inspiration. He had been most inspired by the songs of Woody Guthrie. "Woody had a sound and said something with his music." He wanted to meet Woody and thank him for such inspiring songs. Woody had not been well and was being treated in a local hospital. Bob went and saw him and then wrote a "Song to Woody."

Suddenly, following that visit, as if overnight, Bob Dylan became a household name. He was selling out theatres across America and England. He was referred to as a genius. It has been said that Bob went down to the crossroads and struck a deal with the devil, in order to arrive at such a place. He continued to evolve from the old acoustic folk singer that everyone loved, to a somewhat loud electric rock star. Columbia Records and many of his fans were not happy about this change. Fans were booing and heckling him at concerts, yet they continued to buy tickets. Bob's electric song "Like a Rolling Stone" from the acclaimed album "Highway 61 Revisited" climbed to number 2 on the Billboard pop charts, second only to The Beatles "Help."