Throughout Bob Dylan's long, illustrious life, he's deservedly received just about every award and accolade imaginable. And as he gets older, it seems that those forms of recognition become increasingly distinguished and significant.

That distinctive trend continues with the recent announcement that Dylan has become the first rock 'n' roll musician to be elected into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Apparently, an agreement couldn't be reached amongst officials to recognize Dylan solely for his music or his words, so he will become an honorary member of the Academy.

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Bob Dylan's most memorable Minnesota performances (1998-2008)
Bob Dylan to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom

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Inside Llewyn Davis stars Oscar Isaac in the titular role of a folk musician with a cat

Locally bred Oscar-winning auteurs Joel and Ethan Coen have never shied away from drawing inspiration from their Minnesota upbringing to use in their films. Both Fargo and A Serious Man candidly reflect all-too-familiar aspects of life around these parts as well as lasting impressions that the creative filmmakers gleaned from their childhood spent in St. Louis Park.

The duo have also used music to great effect in their films, with the success of O Brother, Where Art Thou? spawning a resurgence of interest in classic American folk music, as well as a blockbuster soundtrack that resulted in a live concert and corresponding DVD that perhaps outshines the lasting impact of the film itself.

Now the Coens are back with a new forthcoming film, Inside Llewyn Davis, that blends their love of music with the legendary folk scene of Greenwich Village in the '60s that helped spawn and nurture the early career of one of Minnesota's favorite sons, Bob Dylan.

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Bob Dylan's most memorable Minnesota performances (1998-2008)
Mumford and Sons on Austin City Limits, a play-by-play of sorts

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Could the "boy" from the North Country be the answer for our drought?

Summer un-officially began this month as pitchers and catchers reported to Florida to mark the start of another season of trying to survive in Twins territory. Even though about 12 inches of snow covers Target Field, we can still daydream of April 1 when the skies will be blue, and Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will be healthy.

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Photo by Adam Grahek

Bob Dylan
With Mark Knopfler
Xcel Center, St. Paul
November 7, 2012

Bob Dylan last performed in the Twin Cities on election night 2008. For most of us gathered that evening in the Northrop Auditorium, he actually broke the news that Barack Obama had won the election and would be the next president, telling the crowd, "I was born in 1941... That was the year they bombed Pearl Harbor. I've been living in darkness ever since. It looks like things are going to change now." He and his band then broke into a spirited version of "Blowin' in the Wind" before sending most of the left-leaning crowd to bask in Obama's glory at home, in the streets, at a pub, or wherever the night blew them.

So it seemed fitting to see Bobby and his band last night right as the next presidential cycle came to a close with Obama's reelection. But unfortunately, a ho-hum performance didn't send folks home wanting to celebrate Obama or much of anything else.

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Bob Dylan's most memorable Minnesota performances (1998-2008)
Five underrated Bob Dylan songs from oft-forgotten albums
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Photo By Kevin Winter

As Minnesota prepares to welcome our most famous native son, Bob Dylan, back to the Xcel Energy Center tonight for what surely will be a celebratory performance given the election results yesterday, longtime fans certainly let their minds wander to the countless times they've seen Dylan over the years. While his relationship with the state has been a complicated one at times, Bob has continued to make regular tour stops to the Twin Cities over the last 20 years and beyond, even though in recent years the local shows have grown more infrequent (tonight's show is Dylan's first in the Twin Cities since playing Northrup Auditorium on Election Night 2008).

But no matter how many times Dylan graces a stage here in the future, he's given us plenty of indelible memories over the years--through memorable live shows that always give fans some new twists on old favorites, or Bob dusting off classics that we never thought we'd hear live, while working in new songs that add a spark to his ever growing catalog. Here's a few of my memories of Dylan's more unforgettable local live shows in the recent past.

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Five underrated Bob Dylan songs from oft-forgotten albums
Bob Dylan to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom

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As the excitement continues to grow for Bob Dylan's first Twin Cities performance in four years Wednesday night in St. Paul, fans are surely gearing themselves up for the show by digging through Dylan's prestigious back catalog and taking pleasure from the countless number of hits spread throughout his acclaimed 50-year musical career.

But there are certain records in Dylan's past which have never quite gotten their due from a majority of his fans and critics alike. For one reason or another, some of Dylan's albums just didn't get taken to heart in the same way as landmark works like the universally lauded The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde On Blonde, and Blood On The Tracks. But that doesn't mean that there aren't truly great songs to be found tucked away on these oft-ignored albums, and here are five wonderful songs from some underrated Bob Dylan records that, at least in some circles, still haven't found a wider audience.

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Review: Bob Dylan at Xcel Energy Center, 11/7/12
Bob Dylan's most memorable Minnesota performances (1998-2008)

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Bob Dylan discusses Tempest; is it his last album?
Bob Dylan announces release date and tracklisting for Tempest, his 35th studio album

As the anticipation continues to grow for Bob Dylan's forthcoming new record, Tempest, the first full track from that record, "Duquesne Whistle," had its world premier earlier this week on NPR.

And now, the video for "Duquesne Whistle" has just been released, providing striking visuals to accompany the jaunty first song from Dylan's 35th studio album. The clip is directed by Nash Edgerton, who also directed the video for "Beyond Here Lies Nothing," from Dylan's 2009 album, Together Through Life.

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See Also: 
Bob Dylan to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Bob Dylan announces release date and tracklisting for Tempest
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Photo By Steven Cohen

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William DeVogue claims to be Bob Dylan's first son
Bob Dylan announces release date and tracklisting for Tempest, his 35th studio album

With the recent announcement of a new album and forthcoming St. Paul show, the local adulation for Bob Dylan shows no sign of dying down anytime soon. And that enduring love for all things Bob continues with events like Blood On The Tracks Live, which is set to take place Saturday night at the Veterans Amphitheater in Wolfe Park, located in St. Louis Park.

This free event is a celebration of Dylan's music for people of all ages, and is lead by Kevin Odegard, the Minneapolis-based guitarist who played along with Bob on his legendary album, Blood On The Tracks. This is the fourth year that this highly entertaining show has found its way to Wolfe Park, and the event continues to have a strong local musical flavor, especially with the involvement of St. Louis Park native Dan Israel.

Gimme Noise was able to ask Israel a few questions in advance of the performance tomorrow night, and he opens up about how he got involved in the project, what he's got in store for the show, and what he feels the lasting appeal is for Bob Dylan and his music.

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