neil is better at instruments

Yeah, this pretty much explains how I feel. I can see how Dylan is looked up to as being more important and a better writer, and Neil has plenty of glaring flaws.

But when Neil is on, he's on, and it's at a level that Dylan, despite all of his talent, never reaches.

It's probably an unfair generalization that Dylan is more cerebral while Young is more visceral, but I think that's pretty much my perception. Music isn't just a vehicle for language, and while Dylan has generally always been accompanied by some great musicians, his actual music, the melodies, the playing, etc., has never been inspiring to me.

Haha, jewels pretty much said it

they are both in my top five favorites and neither blows either out of the water in any regard.

Actually upon further reflection, there is one Dylan song or rather performance that completely blew me away when I was a kid. It was the greasepaint Dylan who sang 'Tangled Up in Blue' during The Rolling Thunder Revue. Fucking unbelievable.

That being said, if push comes to shove it'll always be Zuma over Blonde on Blonde.

Neil Young is absolutely incredible. That being said, even Neil would vote for Dylan.

Man, I don't think I can be [internet] friends with you guys any more.

Does not compute.

I was trying to formulate a response to this, but I cannot come up with anything besides nonsensical acid ramblings,

Yes, but, Bob would vote for Neil from what I've read. Maybe that speaks to Bob's humility. I just find it strange that for such 'comparable' artists, I can be so full-on with Neil, and Bob can be so far off my radar. What I've heard of his just doesn't affect me, but I think I need a proper introduction.

The real conundrum for me is Neil vs. Bruce. I have intense periods of immersion with both, and when they overlap, I overflow. Like seeing Bruce and Neil on consecutive nights.

I erased what I originally wrote.

Dylan by a landslide. I like Neil but for me this isn't even close.

Hey, don't get too mad at them, Dylan is still winning.

<-- voted Dylan

i think dylan is a great writer but his voice annoys the hell out of me.

so yeah, neil young.

It really does blow my mind that someone could prefer Neil Young over Bob Dylan. Not to say that Neil Young isn't good/great, but come on.

Cough it up, I figured this would put me on the outside.

Another way of putting it, would be to say that I really enjoy Blonde on Blonde, but if you told me tomorrow I could never hear it again, I'd be fine with it. But if you told me I could never hear Tonight's the Night again, I'd probably kill you.

Also I can't wait for the inevitable Iggy Pop vs. David Bowie poll.

It would seem that Blood on the Tracks is more the album you'd like the most Charlie.

I think Highway 61 is better than Blonde on Blonde anyways.

As far as the argument I can see how someone would like Neil more. Dylan was my first musical obsession and remains the only act that i'll buy the crappiest of output.

Highway 61 is far and away my favourite Dylan album. I'd actually go to the wall for that one, too. And yeah, I'm definitely a BOTT guy.

This is just dumb. Explain yourself.

If you've ever seen footage of the Rolling Thunder Revue you know that Dylan can fucking play. Most of the time during those years he would do whole shows on the electric guitar only. Then, I think he had more in common with the Grateful Dead than the 60's folk thing. By that I mean, playing with song structure of his best known songs, extended solos and jams. I think he's every bit as good on the acoustic as Neil and does country better IMO.

I actually like Drinky's argument about Neil being a little more visceral and Dylan more cerebral but obviously it's not true for either all the time. I mean, Dylan has NEVER had moments like on "Weld' when Neil is freaking out on "Fuckin Up" with distorted guitars fuzzed the fuck out and wailing. But, I've never been moved by Neil's softer songs the way I have with Dylan on "Don't Think Twice" or "If You See Her Say Hello", etc.

I certainly don't want to take away from Neil because I love him but discovering Dylan at the time I did made me look at music differently. Only way I know how to put it. "Like A Rolling Stone" is a song that will last forever and when I really got into Dylan in college that song sounded like it could've been written that week.

I don't even pull out Dylan that often because he's just one of those artists that when you fall for them they get into fiber of your soul. When I think about those 60's records I can't believe they exist almost. Bottom line is that both are great artists and worthy of hero worship but for me, Dylan is untouchable

shit, don't make me choose.

i abstain.

Donovan.

i prefer actually listening to neil but i have to go with bob here

I think he's better as a rhythm guitar player, lead guitar player, piano player and harmonica player. I can try to break down specific reasons if you would like.

Where's harry? I'd like to hear his thoughts on this one.

Old School Acid Head - I hope he says Dylan