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Rock and Roll. Fifty years ago the term described a narrow category of music. But, rocks lack of sentimentality and abundance of irreverence has caused it to implode innumerable times into an uncountable number of sub-genres. Some sounds are created collaboratively between an urban environment and the artists that reside there. Such is the case in Duluth, Minnesota.

Tucked into a hillside on the tip of Lake Superior, this rugged and industrial port city harbors a restless, eclectic and creative music scene. There is a thread that ties Lows ultra-mellow mood-pop, the Black Labels surf, the Dames dense wall of distortion, Gilds melodic-funk-rock, Giljunkos raucous punk and every other band on this CD. That element is Duluth. Its a vibe thats as palpable as it is difficult to define. The remnants of a logging, iron mining and shipping boom passed are ever-present here. As the intersection of Highway 61 to Canada, I35 to Minneapolis, Highway 2 to North Dakota and the Great Lakes to the world, Duluth culture is pulled by international/urban and backwoods/blue-collar influences simultaneously.

It seems plausible, even likely, that Dylans birth in Duluth and childhood in Hibbing an hour north have influenced his music. It is gritty and organic, thoughtful and poetic.

But if Duluth failed to influence Dylan, certainly Dylan has influenced Duluth. There are tangible signs, such as the annual Dylan festival and the weekly radio show, Highway 61 Revisited on KUMD FM. But the most profound hint of Dylans presence is the music made here: never pretentious or assuming, always honest and intelligent. Duluth Does Dylan was created to recognize that fact. Its a tribute from the musicians of Duluth to their native sona man who has helped inspire their creative scene and define their musical direction.

Brad Nelson
Publisher of the RipSaw, the news and entertainment weekly of the Duluth
www.ripsawnews.com

Low
Both
Giljunko
Jamie Ness
Crazy Betty
Mayfly
Gild
Dames
Black Eyed Snakes
American Hip
Father Hennepin
Accidental Porn
Black Labels
First Ladies
Ballyhoo

Blowin' In The Wind
A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
Quit Your Low Down Ways
Sad Eyed Lady of the Low Land
Knocking On Heavens Door
It Ain't Me Babe
Don't Think Twice, It's all right
All Along The Watchtower
Tombstone Blues
Country Pie
Girl From The North Country
If You Gotta Go, Go Now
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Father Of Night
When I Paint My Master Piece

Save the Duluth Armory

local citizens rally to save historic property and establish 'Dylan Center for the Arts'. get involved

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