Dylan Week: Love Minus Zero/No Limit

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Thursday, October 9. 2008

Dylan Week: Love Minus Zero/No Limit

The song came out on Dylan's 5th album, Bringing it all Back Home, in 1965. Wiki says that Dylan said that the title is meant to be a fraction: Love Minus Zero divided by No Limit. Simple math.

Here's Dylan in Newport, 1965:

Posted by Bird Dog in The Song and Dance Man at 12:21 | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0)

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In honor of Dylan week here at Maggie's Farm I rented and watched "I'm Not There" last night. After reading some early reviews, I prejudged the film and refused to see it.

I have to admit, after 10 minutes I muttered something under my breath to the affect of "This is going to be painful" or something similar. Have to ask to see the transcript for exact quote.

I changed my tune later, and actually ended up being somewhat intrigued and moved by this movie. I'll have to watch it again to determine whether I was just growing emotionally weakened from fatigue, or if I can honestly recommend it.

Anyone else see it?

#1 Pajak on 2008-10-09 12:33 (Reply)

buck owens does an amazing cover of this song from 1971, found on the dylan country album. a really kick ass cd.

saw i'm not there and was definitely not blown away. i like todd haynes, the director, though. if you haven't seen far from heaven, i would recommend it. oscar nominated flick set in 1950s connecticut.

enjoying the dylan week bird dog! thanks for stepping in :)

#2 kab on 2008-10-09 12:50 (Reply)

A harmonica holder! Dat's what I be talkin' 'bout!

You can see why so many people back then were upset when Dylan went electric. To go from the 'authentic' folk singer you see here to just another electric rock 'n' roller was just devastating to many at the time. It was viewed as a total sell-out to the ever-dreaded Establishment. You might as well have introduced some fuzz guitar at a Peter, Paul & Mary concert.

On the other hand, anything that gave us the magnificent piece of work called 'Blonde on Blonde' can't be all bad.

BTW, you got anything from "John Wesley Harding" in that bag o' tricks of yours? While I liked lots of early Dylan songs, that was probably the first album that I liked from first song to last. Had some funny little song on it called "All Along The Watchtower".

The history of music is an amazing tapestry, isn't it?

#3 Dr. Mercury on 2008-10-09 13:07 (Reply)

Dylan's love songs are all about love lost. This song and "Gates of Eden" are of love found.

#4 Roy Lofquist on 2008-10-09 13:50 (Reply)

I have to believe Bringing it All Back Home was the single strongest collection of songs of any of his albums, in terms of both universality and individuality. And all on one platter, whereas Blonde on Blonde took two, and the songs there were more idiosyncratic.

Think how many versions of these songs Dylan has recorded over the years, and how the interpretations shed new light on them. And how many other artists have covered the songs while usually doing them justice. Heck, just Leon Russell alone must have re-recorded this entire album.

It sure hits the sweet spot.

#5 Seppo on 2008-10-09 14:24 (Reply)

Long have I loved that song, Love Minus Zero/No Limit.

#6 Gringo on 2008-10-09 15:14 (Reply)

This is one of the best. "True like ice, like fire" is an incredible line.

Saw I'm Not There and thought it was pretty good. Not exactly cohesive throughout, but if you just let it take you, you'll visit some interesting places. A regular bi-op just couldn't work with someone like Dylan. Ledger and Blanchett's parts were especially good.

#7 Ross on 2008-10-09 23:28 (Reply)

Make up yall's minds, BD.

Zero is nottin one week and now it is can be fractioned.

Carpet baggers end up holding empty sacks when the midnight falls.

Good luck, yanks.

#8 Leag on 2008-10-10 11:39 (Reply)

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Thursday, October 9. 2008

Dylan Week: Love Minus Zero/No Limit