Bob Dylan is the epicenter of lyrical music. Everything that came before him was a prelude to his genius. Everything that came after was possible because of him.

I am too young to have remembered his early days when he “rambled out of the Wild West” and roared into New York City. I came of age musical age about ten years later.

The experience that blew me away was the utter brilliance of Blood on the Tracks. I think I may have read Pete Hammil’s piece on the back jacket before I even played the album. Hamill’s tribute changed my life. I had to find out more about Dylan – 30 years later I still am trying to find out more about Dylan. He is constantly changing and retooling – staying ahead of expectations. How does a 21-year-old write Blowing the Wind, or a 24-year-old write Like a Rolling Stone or even a 57-year-old write Highlands. No one has the answer to that, not even Dylan. I really believe he tapped into the vast creative pool of the collective unconscious. He is the lyrical master.

Who has taken it to the next level after Dylan? The one who comes closest is Ani Difranco. There are many similarities. Young kid comes up with a unique voice and vision. Gets accused of “selling out” when he/she gets really popular. The he/she changes the musical sound some and the former fans scream out. Jeez. Just listen to them both back-to-back. They’re drinking from the same vat of perpetual coolness – but the tongues stay on fire.

And there is Utah Phillips...he never sold his soul and for that he is an inspiration.