23 Comments
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Graley Herren's avatar

You've outdone yourself, Ray. With this one piece you've increased what we know about Shadow Kingdom twentyfold. Great interview!

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Jeff Hitz's avatar

I can't believe that it took 4 years to finally find out what the heck was going on in that video I watched during Covid. Thanks for a great interview and article(s).

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Lee Ranaldo's avatar

Amazing interviews with both Alexander and Ira. I've spoken to Shahzad about these sessions, such a fascinating episode in Bob's career! The pandemic spawned both this and R&RW - pretty good for such a fraught time!

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Corky Williams's avatar

What a cool article sir! Glad I'm a subscriber Ray. Thanks for your hard work, love all the articles

Corky inKC

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Martin Nicholas's avatar

Cannot tell you how much I enjoy reading these. Thanks as always.

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Sean Keeley's avatar

Incredible insights and details here, not least of which is that "Honey Boy" is one of Bob Dylan's favorite recent movies. (Do I need to watch it now?)

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Susan Stirling's avatar

Ray…the recent Shadow Kingdom interviews with Alex and Ira who shared their background stories about creative work with Dylan are historic documents. I read your interviews and every time have found myself profoundly impressed, moved actually by their remembrances, that each of these top-line professionals shared with you their understanding of Bob’s creative process and that their time spent working with Dylan is revered.

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Alec Hanley Bemis's avatar

This is wonderful. Piercing a mystery while being respectful about it so some mystery remains. Thank you.

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Dave Farr's avatar

Well even more amazing interview than the last one. Fascinating to read about this. Fantastic job, Ray!

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Chandler Morrison's avatar

That was fascinating. Thank you for allowing us Dylan sickos to read it for free. All of your questions are thoughtful and superbly articulated. It’s always striking to hear yet another musician describe how engaging and charismatic Dylan is in private. I’ve been attending his concerts since 1989, yet I’ve never glimpsed that side of him myself.

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ROBERT CATALIOTTI's avatar

Both Shadow Kingdom interviews were excellent, providing a lot of insight into what it's like to work with Dylan. I'd like to hear more about the unreleased tracks - how many, what songs, will they ever show up.

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Peter White's avatar

This article and the previously posted part 1 are really really really excellent. So good to have this part of the Dylan universe uncovered. Thanks!

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Richard Fox's avatar

Great Story Ray-do you have any info on songs that were recorded but not used in the film or album? I know I saw on YouTube a song not included-it may have been Man in the Long Black Coat but I can't say for sure.

Thanks for all you do!

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Caryn Rose's avatar

Echoing the other comments on how amazing this all is but — so no one else saw “Like I played on a Bruce Springsteen record that never came out” and lost their minds? Okay. I’m guessing it’s the second volume of OTSS but gonna go back through all the Tracks II credits just to be sure

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chazread's avatar

Phenomenal piece Ray – impossible to put it down once I started reading. Will go back to the film tonight for sure!

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NScott's avatar

Wow, this is an amazing interview; thank you!

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