Theme Time Radio Hour
December 31, 2010 8:40 PM   Subscribe

Bob Dylan had a radio show, the Theme Time Radio Hour, from May 2006 to April 2009. The archive contains shows on themes such as Thanksgiving Leftovers, The Bible, and Women's Names (click on the arrows to download the full radio show).
posted by Copronymus (20 comments total) 53 users marked this as a favorite
 


Sometimes I wonder how I miss stuff like this! Thanks.....
posted by HuronBob at 8:54 PM on December 31, 2010


Yeah, I heard some of these here and there, and thought they were pretty cool. Dylan was informative and engaging, and I dug his DJ voice. Thanks for this,
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:13 PM on December 31, 2010


The incredible UK label, Ace Records, has made available three double CD compilations of tracks from these radio shows. It's all marvelous stuff, with everything from old folk to oddball reggae and loads in-between. I was listening to a re-broadcast of one of Dylan's shows a few months ago and was really charmed by it. One of the tracks he played was the Buzzcocks' "Everybody's Happy Nowadays." It was preceded by the Sons Of The Pioneers and followed Judy Garland.

This Wikipedia entry will lead you to all the playlists, which are great for exploring a great collection of songs and artists.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 9:24 PM on December 31, 2010


Thank you for saving my lamest New Year's on record, sitting at home alone with a serious head cold.
posted by mannequito at 9:29 PM on December 31, 2010


Thanks!
posted by brevator at 9:45 PM on December 31, 2010


This is startling and overwhelming find...like opening King Tut's tomb...Thank you!!!
posted by Chekhovian at 9:58 PM on December 31, 2010


happy new year to me indeed. thanks!
posted by ms.jones at 10:57 PM on December 31, 2010


From the show.

"People say a cat has 9 lives, but a frog croaks everyday. "

Say this I'm your best Bob Dylan voice.
posted by pianomover at 11:06 PM on December 31, 2010 [1 favorite]


happy new year to me indeed. thanks!
posted by ms.jones


Because something is happening,
and you do know what it is...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:35 PM on December 31, 2010 [4 favorites]


"People say a cat has 9 lives, but a frog croaks everyday. "

Bob wants to be a comedian in the worst way. And has succeeded on several occasions.
posted by Knappster at 12:33 AM on January 1, 2011 [1 favorite]


Bob wants to be a comedian in the worst way:

"My ex-wife left me again. She's a tennis player. Love means nothing to her."
posted by ovvl at 1:10 AM on January 1, 2011 [4 favorites]


Bob wants to be a comedian in the worst way

Some kind of jokerman?
posted by Dr Dracator at 2:58 AM on January 1, 2011 [1 favorite]


With contributions from Tom Waits.

If there's anything in this world more sublime than Tom Waits thanking Bob Dylan for the jar of marmalade he sent him for Christmas, I haven't found it.
posted by fight or flight at 3:45 AM on January 1, 2011 [5 favorites]


These shows are really one of our great cultural artifacts. As much as I love Dylan, and I love Dylan, there's an argument to be made that these shows are what make him all worthwhile.
posted by OmieWise at 7:39 AM on January 1, 2011


Great post!

I wish someone had done the same thing for David Johansen's Mansion of Fun radio show. I was turned on to so many great songs from that show.

Also, along the same lines as Dylan's show (if not as extensive), was Joe Strummer's London Calling radio show. Even if you don't like the Clash, Joe played a wide range of music that might surprise you. Available for free in iTunes.
posted by ericthegardener at 8:33 AM on January 1, 2011


I used to go to a bar that played nothing but TTRH all afternoon long.

Then they switched to satellite-radio blues stations, and now I don't go so much.
posted by box at 9:12 AM on January 1, 2011


Wow, what a gold mine.
Thanks
posted by dougzilla at 4:55 PM on January 1, 2011


This was arguably the best thing on XM during its run. The merger with Sirius has completely ruined XM...to the point where I am now considering terminating my two six-year subscriptions. Something tells me that the Sirius brass had something to do with the demise of this show. Tom Petty had one as well, but nothing nearly as eclectic or entertaining as Zimmy's. Another example of what radio can be...until the suits start crunching numbers.
posted by VicNebulous at 7:30 AM on January 3, 2011


I am very sad that the site is down before I got a chance to download the shows (my laptop's power supply fried). : (
posted by readery at 6:57 PM on January 18, 2011


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