|
 Dylan also is unconcerned whether his fans like the album -
the third in as many years that features cover versions of
classic songs like "Stormy Weather," "As Time Goes By" and
"Stardust."
"These songs are some of the most heartbreaking stuff ever put
on record and I wanted to do them justice. Now that I have lived
them and lived through them I understand them better," Dylan,
75, told music writer Bill Flanagan in a rare interview.
"It's not taking a trip down memory lane or longing or yearning
for the good old days or fond memories of what's no more," he
added in the lengthy Q&A, posted on the bobdylan.com website on
Wednesday.
The three-disc album "Triplicate" will be released on March 31.
It follows 2015's "Shadows in the Night" album of Frank Sinatra
covers and 2016's similar "Fallen Angels" in marking a strong
contrast from the early, socially-conscious folk and rock
compositions for which Dylan remains most famous.
Asked what his fans might think of the cover albums, Dylan said;
"These songs are meant for the man on the street, the common
man, the everyday person. Maybe that is a Bob Dylan fan, maybe
not, I don’t know."
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In the wide-ranging interview, Dylan also touched on his admiration
for the late Amy Winehouse, calling her "The last real individualist
around"; his and George Harrison's abortive bid years ago to record
with Elvis Presley, ("He (Elvis) did show up; it was us that
didn't"); and the power of early rock and roll music, ("Rock and
roll was a dangerous weapon, chrome plated, it exploded like the
speed of light, it reflected the times, and especially the presence
of the atomic bomb, which had preceded it by several years.")
Dylan also spoke of the loss of fellow musicians like Leonard Cohen,
Leon Russell, and Merle Haggard, all of whom died last year.
"We were like brothers, we lived on the same street and they all
left empty spaces where they used to stand. It's lonesome without
them," he said.
No mention was made of Dylan's Nobel prize for literature, and his
non-attendance at the annual Nobel award ceremony in Sweden. Dylan
is due to perform in Sweden next week as part of a European tour.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
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