As reported earlier today, Bill Flanagan got the scoop of the year from Bob Dylan for NASN (see earlier post). In one of the most carefully conducted, supremely sagacious interviews I have read in a long time, Flanagan got what he wanted. Here is the entire question Flanagan asked: ” You really give a heroic performance of O’ LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM The way you do it reminds me a little of an Irish rebel song. There’s something almost defiant in the way you sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” I don’t want to put you on the spot, but you sure deliver that song like a true believer.”
There can be no doubt that Flanagan knew precisely what he was attempting to elicit from his subject. The question came late and Flanagan had spend the entire interview, which was entirely about Christmas In the Heart and skirting the question of Christianity (going as far as to question Dylan’s Christmas traditions as a child in a jewish household). It is an interesting interview but nothing great till Flanagan hits Dylan with “You sure deliver that song like a true believer”.
Dylan’s response is a headline grabber: “I am a true believer”
Holy shit.
This is what you get when a pro does his job.
Now this is what you get when the arrogant fools at Rolling Stone CAN’T EVEN REPORT THE STORY CORRECTLY.
Paragraph One: RS reminds us of the album.
Paragraph Two: RS pulls the Christmas traditions raised in a Jewish family.
Paragraph Three: Dylan doesn’t listen to rap.
Paragraph Four: What Dylan likes for Christmas dinner and which charities he chose to give the royalties from the album to.
That’s right, they missed the story.
Now here is how RockNYC reported it.
We called it “Dylan: “I Am A True Believer” and after a coupla sentences about NASN and Bill, had it as the lead on the interview.
It is really and truly pathetic. RS is an embarassment. They should hire Dan Aquilante. They deserve him.