Nothing Is Revealed

“Keep a Good Head and Always Carry a Lightbulb” —Bob Dylan   Throughout his career, Bob Dylan has had a unique relationship with the press. At times, he has expressed concerns that the media misquotes him and takes his answers out of context. He has also said that he doesn't like giving press interviews because of these concerns. In the 60's he had to shed the "Spokesman of a Generation" label that the media was slapping on him. In the 80's, he had to reject the notion that he was a washed up musician from the 60's. Fame and celebrity are complicated, but this is how myths and legends grow.   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @dylan.ology Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

What makes Bob Dylan so endlessly fascinating? We are going back to school. New and old Dylan fans alike will benefit as we breakdown the life, loves, losses, and legacy of the enigmatic Bob Dylan. From his humble beginnings in Duluth, Minnesota to his recording career, relationships, and religion—few rolling stones are left unturned.    The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @dylan.ology Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Adam & Jens finally share their thoughts on the recent biopic, "A Complete Unknown." “Charged up by Timothée Chalamet's electric performance, this ballad of Bob Dylan might not get under the enigmatic artist's skin but will make you feel like you've spent time in his company.” Inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and idiosyncrasies abound, but maybe that's the point, as Nothing Is Revealed explores A Complete Unknown.   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @dylan.ology Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

An Album Deep Dive "Bringing It All Back Home" is one of the most influential albums ever. The opening alarm bell of "Subterranean Homesick Blues" signified a paradigm shift—Dylan was mixing up the medicine and changing up the formula. The world of music would never be the same again. This week we explore how this spectacular album came to be, while unpacking its impact.    The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Ross Wylde is the mythical legend behind the ever-popular Bob Dylan YouTube channel, Swingin’ Pig. He started the page in July of 2014 and has well over 30 million views across his 290 videos. His page also boasts nearly 57,000 subscribers. On this episode, we chat with Ross about the page—how he made his videos, why the channel went dark, the good and bad of running a Dylan YouTube page, and much more. Ross: @the_pianoman YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SwinginPig   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

We may be a Bob Dylan podcast, but we are fans of all kinds of music. 2024 was one of the best years in recent memory in terms of new music releases, so you know we had to share our favorites. In total, 25 different albums from this year are discussed, along with a handful of non-2024 albums that we particularly enjoyed this year. Jens also shared his thoughts on "A Complete Unknown" to kick off the conversation. Thank you for all your support in 2024. Big things are happening in 2025!   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

An Album Deep Dive "When Bob Dylan—the patron saint of sneering, disaffected poets—announced he was releasing a collection of classic Christmas songs for charity, smirkers got smirkier: What, after all, is more absurd than a beloved iconoclast embracing the schmaltziest, most achingly commercial genre of all? It sounded insane. And it is insane, sort of..." On this episode the guys break down the behind the scenes details of Christmas In The Heart, while sharing their thoughts on the beloved Christmas record.    The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

A Conversation About Bob Dylan's Alternate Takes. Bob Dylan has never played a song the same way twice, whether in the studio or on the big stage. The Bootleg Series has made this abundantly clear. So, what if Dylan had released Take 5 of Visions of Johanna from The Cutting Edge? What if he had released only the New York sessions for Blood On The Tracks? Dylan's unparalleled output, especially early in his career, allows us to imagine how his albums could have sounded had he released an alternate take.  -Apple Music Alternate Takes Playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/blame-it-on-a-simple-twist-of-fate/pl.u-AkAmvbyI2qbBkXd -Spotify Alternate Takes Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xjnfgyXdLAwRihogZUVkX?si=aH-JyERORJinkzllsd7-aQ&pi=e-QOKtZg8NTBaq   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan (inactivated at the moment) Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

A Conversation About Bob Dylan's Album Outtakes. Bob Dylan has released many incredible albums over his illustrious career, but it is often said that he leaves his best material on the cutting room floor. Is that true? Would these respective albums be even better if we replaced some of the tracks with outtakes? Is there an inherent phenomenon with Dylan outtakes? These questions, and more, are considered on this episode of Nothing Is Revealed as we rewrite Dylan's history. -Apple Music Outtakes Playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/another-day-another-time/pl.u-vxy6JY3CzZEDXRq -Spotify Outtakes Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tBNYJA9ZDZnpHLLhn2oDo?si=sSuYC7O2T--LrCC3WOm31Q&pi=u-BcRvUPNjQG2_   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Planet Waves is the fourteenth studio album by Bob Dylan. It is significant in Dylan's discography, as it is the only official studio album to feature longtime collaborators The Band. This album is often overshadowed by his early 60's output, along with Blood On The Tracks, which was released only a year after Planet Waves. So, we take the time to explore this under-appreciated gem on another installment of our Album Deep Dive series.   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Bob Dylan is one of the most prolific recording artists of all time. He has 40 studio albums and over 650 songs in his discography. So, what are his best songs? Do the most played songs on Spotify and Apple Music tell an accurate story? This week we explore what his "top" songs communicate about his popularity, how streaming services compare to more formal lists, and why there can never be an objective list of his greatest songs.   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Bob Dylan currently has 40 studio albums. Jens's favorite album is Blonde On Blonde. Adam's favorite is Blood On The Tracks. While these aren't shocking albums to find at the top of a list, there are deeply personal reasons that a person resonates with a particular album. So, why are Blonde On Blonde and Blood On The Tracks at the top of our lists? Tune in to find out.   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com Bluesky: nir-podcast   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Bob Dylan once said, "Well, I've been in jail, where all the mail showed that a man can't give his address out to bad company." Well, in this case, the (digital) mail showed that we can give our Instagram out to all sorts of company. This week we are answering some Bob Dylan questions submitted by listeners on Instagram. Some are funny. Some are serious. Some are just weird. Everyone has an opinion on every aspect of Dylan. No answer is fit, but here are our takes...   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

An "Under The Red Sky" Retrospective. Slick production, nursery rhymes, and a whole lot of wiggling make for a strange Bob Dylan album. As such, Under The Red Sky is often the butt of internet jokes. Is the album as bad as many say it is? How can such a star-studded cast make such a lackluster album? Why is “Wiggle Wiggle” credited to Bob Dylan & The Band on Apple Music? These questions, and more, are explored on this month's album retrospective. Come for the "Wiggle Wiggle" discussion. Stay for Jens's apparent hot takes. The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Bob Dylan is a significant figure, not only in the history of music, but in popular culture more broadly. He is even the subject of rigorous study in higher education.  Meet Jon: a psychology professor turned Dylan professor who is currently teaching a class on Bob Dylan at Texas State University. With him we discuss why Dylan is worth studying in an academic context alongside the likes of other significant figures from world history.   Jon Lasser: @teachingbobdylan The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.  

Is ‘he had a face like a mask’, from Man In The Long Black Coat, Bob Dylan’s most autobiographical lyric? Bob Dylan is the chameleon poet. He is constantly evolving his voice, appearance, and writing style. Who is the real Bob Dylan?   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.    

This week the guys discuss Dylan's use of the bible, religious imagery, and spirituality in his work prior to his conversion to Christianity in the late 1970's.  -Why does Dylan make use of the Bible and religious imagery so frequently in the 1960's? -What does his use of the Bible suggest about his relationship to it? -What can be learned about the way he chooses to utilize language?   Book recommendations: "All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Track" by Margotin and Guesdon "Dylan's Visions of Sin" by Christopher Ricks   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

A "Down In The Groove" Retrospective The music critic Michael Gallucci once stated: “Dylan has made some perplexing and even lazy records over the years; none, though, sounds as pointless as Down in the Groove."  Is this true? Does the album really deserve the hate that is often receives? Is it objectively bad?  These questions, and more, are explored as we reevaluate the "tragically misunderstood" album.   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork

This is part two of our conversation about Dylan's track placement. This week we are discussing album-closing tracks. If you missed our conversation about album-opening tracks, be sure to check out last week's episode. -What can we learn from the songs Bob chooses to close his albums with? -What categories do these songs fall into? -What themes have become apparent as his career has progressed?   The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

This is part one of our conversation about Dylan's track placement. This week we are discussing album-opening tracks. Next week we will discuss album-closing tracks. -What can we learn from the songs Bob chooses to open his albums with? -What categories do these songs fall into? -What themes have become apparent as his career has progressed?   Where to find us: The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed Adam: @never.ending.dylan Jens: @dylan_ologist Email us: nothingisrevealedpod@gmail.com   Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack. Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.