Highly recommended especially for Bob Dylan fans who wish to
Midwest Book Review | Oregon, WI USA | 11/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Inside Bob Dylan's Jesus Years is a DVD offering an inside perspective of how Bob Dylan, a Jewish folk singer from the Midwest, came to embrace Jesus Christ and Christianity. Passionate for his new faith, Dylan made three Gospel albums, and won a Grammy for "Gotta Serve Somebody". Yet the Christian direction of his music alienated fans and sparked the ire of critics, especially when he preached apocalyptic passages from the "Book of Revelation." Telling the story of Bob Dylan's transformation through interviews with notable figures ranging from "Slow Train Coming" producer Jerry Wexler to background singer Regina McCrary to San Francisco Chronicle rock reporter Joel Selven and many more, Inside Bob Dylan's Jesus Years includes rare photos, exclusive live concert footage from 1978-1981, and an interview from 1981 in which Bob Dylan himself speaks of the impact Jesus Christ had on his art and soul. Bonus features include full soundtrack MP3s! Highly recommended especially for Bob Dylan fans who wish to better understand and appreciate this turning point in his life's work. 120 minutes.
"
Dreadful
D. Cohen | New Zealand | 09/17/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I'm comfortable with evangelical Christians and I loved Dylan's first couple of gospel albums. This "documentary" does neither any great credit. The best you can say for it is that the DVD is well-intentioned. But seldom have good intentions proved so dull. (Contains no original Dylan music.)"
We see lights
Martin B. Cramer | Camden, SC | 05/23/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If people claim that their lives are the same from the cradle to the grave they are being less than truthful. If we put our entertainers up on pedestals and hold them to our own standards without seeing them as living, growing, changing people we do ourselves and them a disservice. Bob Dylan is nothing if not one who goes his own way. He sees the world from his point of view that just happens to be what many other people would like to see. He sees in a light that is really quite different and very personal. The songs he writes come from a place that only he knows and understands.
When he declared his belief in Jesus as his Lord and Savior it was a very personal decision that was expressed in his art and music. This time in his life was very mysterious to his hardcore fans who lived through a time of sex, drugs, and rock & roll. The problem is that the Christianity that most people know is expressed in very severe terms; just check out the televangelists of the health and wealth gospel. This presentation goes to the heart of what Dylan lived at the time both in his new found faith and his art. The interviews come from both sides of the debate: his Christian teachers and the musicians who worked with him. One of the most interesting segments is the interview with Jerry Wexler, the producer of "Slow Train Coming." Pay attention to this.
To get a balanced view of this time in Bob's life buy this. It will be well worth the time spent watching and the money spent acquiring it.
Marty Cramer"
Hasn't this already been done under a different title?
Karen Moulton | Boston MA USA | 05/04/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I own:'Bob Dylan 1975-1982: Rolling Thunder And The Gospel Years'. From reading the product information of this DVD "Inside Bob Dylan's Jesus Years,..." it seems like Gilbert just edited his 2006 'Bob Dylan 1975-1982: Rolling Thunder And The Gospel Years' by removing all the Rolling Thunder content and renaming it "Inside Bob Dylan's Jesus Years: Busy Being Born... Again!". "Again" is right! Rip off, I'd say if you already own the 2006 DVD. My review of that DVD would be in agreement with the previous review - a little cheesy, Bob Dylan is not in it because it is unauthorized, but you do learn some interesting information. If I am mistaken, please someone who has seen both of these straighten me out. I emailed Gilbert but did not hear back."