Blues

Bob Dylan : “A Murder Most Foul”

by Philippe Navarro

The origin of “A Murder Most Foul” is unclear; it could be an outtake from Tempest (2012). The “unclassifiable” work, evoking a litany or a lament, is nonetheless a blues song. The harmony is based on the tonic, subdominant and dominant that defines the genre; as does the rhythmic signature in 3/4 and 4/4. The opus, seemingly overseen by an orchestra conductor, is however so languid and fluid that the arrangement of piano, strings, and percussion creates the illusion of unstructured, dreamlike volutes that Debussy (or Sufjan) might have put together in their spare time. The clip is absolute in its sobriety: a still frame of JFK stares at the listener during the 16:56 of the chant, close to a liturgical incantation, which alone, really, deserves attention. The talking blues form has often been borrowed by Dylan, adhering to the tradition of the griot’s improvised declamation with social or political connotations (“Talking World War III Blues”, for example). Here, the text is rather chiseled – the Nobel Prize winner for literature no longer allows himself spontaneity. The beginning is unusually prosaic for Dylan as he relates with lugubrious precision the events of November 22. What follows is a disjointed eschatology, spanning twenty years (1963-1984), zooming in on outlandish references: the British Invasion (’60s), Stevie Nicks (’70s), Nightmare on Elm Street (’80s)… Some will see the work of a genius. However, the metaphor of the JFK conspiracy (Dylan evokes a cryptic “they”) as “death of America” is worn out, and will appeal to a generation that can say they saw Mickey Mantle play. All in all, Stephen King did a better job of bringing the matter up to date (22/11/63). Dylan, like Cash, Bowie or Cohen, should be expected to dazzle in the final twilight of his career; “A Murder Most Foul” is not the expected requiem.

Latest 360 Content

New European Ensemble open the 12th edition of M / NM

New European Ensemble open the 12th edition of M / NM

Ric’key Pageot: Madonna’s pianist and his passion for Black classical music

Ric’key Pageot: Madonna’s pianist and his passion for Black classical music

ONJ | Tirolien with Strings Brings Down the House

ONJ | Tirolien with Strings Brings Down the House

Jean-Marc Vallée: Mixtape at The Centre PHI | Rediscover the Director Through His Passion for Music

Jean-Marc Vallée: Mixtape at The Centre PHI | Rediscover the Director Through His Passion for Music

Kelly-Marie Murphy and the ideas lostness in music

Kelly-Marie Murphy and the ideas lostness in music

Kerson Leong and the timeless violin

Kerson Leong and the timeless violin

Noé Preszow – De ton vivant

Noé Preszow – De ton vivant

Les Violons du Roy Play with Timelessness with Kerson Leong: Interview with Laurent Patenaude

Les Violons du Roy Play with Timelessness with Kerson Leong: Interview with Laurent Patenaude

M / NM | The multiple voices of Corie Rose Soumah

M / NM | The multiple voices of Corie Rose Soumah

DVTR – Né pour flâner

DVTR – Né pour flâner

APACALDA – Jealous

APACALDA – Jealous

Center PHI | Cymatiques III, Kohlenstoff Annual Evening, Music-Video Summit

Center PHI | Cymatiques III, Kohlenstoff Annual Evening, Music-Video Summit

About Kendrick’s Reproval at Super Bowl LIX

About Kendrick’s Reproval at Super Bowl LIX

Black History Month | Time to Celebrate for Naya Ali

Black History Month | Time to Celebrate for Naya Ali

IGLOOFEST | Continuation and End with Four Tet

IGLOOFEST | Continuation and End with Four Tet

Three historic days with Franghiz Ali Zadeh and the Molinari Quartet in Montreal

Three historic days with Franghiz Ali Zadeh and the Molinari Quartet in Montreal

TAVERNE TOUR I The Drin at Le Ministère

TAVERNE TOUR I The Drin at Le Ministère

PRO MUSICA | Sophia Shuya Liu, the next big thing in piano music from Montreal

PRO MUSICA | Sophia Shuya Liu, the next big thing in piano music from Montreal

TAVERNE TOUR I Bad bitch vibes and hyperpop madness at O Patro Vys

TAVERNE TOUR I Bad bitch vibes and hyperpop madness at O Patro Vys

TAVERNE TOUR I Motherhood is a cacophonus explosion of sounds

TAVERNE TOUR I Motherhood is a cacophonus explosion of sounds

TAVERNE TOUR I Gondola is starting to make waves

TAVERNE TOUR I Gondola is starting to make waves

M/NM | Il teatro rosso, a tribute to Montreal’s legendary Red Light era

M/NM | Il teatro rosso, a tribute to Montreal’s legendary Red Light era

Serving Ennio Morricone

Serving Ennio Morricone

Subscribe to our newsletter