Dylan in London, 1962/63

If you missed Bob’s Big Freeze, Tuesday’s one-hour Radio 2 documentary on Dylan in London in 1962/63, you can still catch it online – until next Tuesday, 2 Dec (2230 GMT).

It’s a richly detailed account of Dylan’s first trip outside North America. Martin Carthy claims the trip was vital in Dylan’s development as a writer, exposing him to sources which inspired some of the big early anthems like Spanish Boots, Girl From The North Country and Bob Dylan’s Dream. The first masterpiece LP, Freewheelin’, followed in mid-1963.

Strengths? Apart from the evocative music clips, it’s a well-researched feature – as you’d expect from a co-production by long-time Dylan scribe Patrick Humphries. The number and variety of eye witness accounts is impressive.

And don’t be put off by the extraneous noises in the first few minutes of the playback – Nigel Ogden on the organ, and a trail for another Radio 2 show.

Bob’s Big Freeze: recommended.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer

Gerry Smith

Bob’s Big Freeze: Dylan’s first London trip

Thanks to Gerald Bamford:

“Check this out: (from John Baldwin) – Bob on UK Radio: ‘On 25 November at 10.30 p.m., BBC Radio 2 will be airing a one-hour programme about Dylan’s first visit to Britain in December 1962 and January 1963. Entitled Bob’s Big Freeze, it will cover his appearances in London folk clubs and the recording of the Dick Farina and Eric Von Schmidt album at Dobell’s, as well as the Madhouse On Castle Street television play.’

“Worst songs indeed! – curmudgeonly lot of critics – not a soul replied to my call to list songs Bob has never sung live – now that would be more positive.”

And thanks to Nigel Boddy:

“Just to let you know that there is a programme on BBC Radio 2, next Tuesday 25th November 2008 at 10.30pm called Bob’s Big Freeze. It’s about Bob’s first trip to London during the winter of 1962/63! There is a small 1/4 page article in next week’s Radio Times (22-28 Nov. 2008) (by writer/presenter) Patrick Humphries.”