I recently watched an episode of Elvis Costello’s Sundance show Spectacle featuring a wonderful mix of guests — the first half was split between She & Him and Jenny Lewis and the second half featured Jakob Dylan, with everybody joining together at the end for a final song.
Everybody impressed but I was particularly drawn in by the Dylan interview. Jakob has grown even more into his father’s looks and his mannerisms and his inflections are similar too. It’s very strange to watch him talk. But his music just keeps getting better and better.
The show sent me back to my CDs to pick over some of Dylan’s best work. I started with his recent solo album, Seeing Things, a lovely collection of acoustic ballads. Then I listened to his last (and maybe final?) record with The Wallflowers, Rebel, Sweetheart.
I’ve always said Dylan and The Wallflowers are underrated, but playing this album for the first time in a long time, I realized that even I’m underrating them. Rebel, Sweetheart is a fabulous album, the equal of their wonderful third effort Breach. Not only is there not a weak song on it, there’s not even a “pretty good” song on it. Top notch stuff, start to finish.
I had trouble picking a song to feature today because every one I played was better than the last. I settled on ‘How Far You’ve Come’ because I like its simple melody and comforting message. The album as a whole is very much about healing and “getting right with God” (to quote Lucinda Williams) and this song epitomizes that theme.
If you could see how lucky you are
Now don’t get carried away with your heart
You’re better where you are
You’re not the only one
Who’s failed to hang on to a moving star
Now don’t be sorry, what’s done now is done
And this is who you are
These days feel numbered and long
There’s no one to speak of, there’s no one at all
But you’re not the reason that everyone’s gone
That’s not how they are
There is no system to change
No conditions are made, no permissions to start
Now don’t go drawing lines in the sand
That’s not who you are
Sometimes a high wall is just a wall
Sometimes it’s only there to make sure you feel small
Or it may be there to save you
From the depths of a much deeper fall
The truth will not set you free
It’s okay to believe that you’re not good enough
God is not angry, not blind, deaf, or dumb
He knows how far you’ve come
He knows how far you’ve come
He knows how far you’ve come
Meet Me In Montauk 
I agree that Jakob is underrated, but, honestly, how could he not be when his father is nothing less than a rock legend? It’s the curse of following in your father’s footsteps when those footprints are simply enormous. Julian Lennon couldn’t do it, neither could Ben Taylor or Alexa Ray Joel.
I do enjoy Jakob’s music quite a lot though. The Wallflowers’ songs are good, but I find Jakob’s solo work to be even more interesting and rewarding (and perhaps less confining) in some ways.
Natalie Cole? Sean Lennon? Is there any success story of a child following his parent’s musical footsteps? How about Roseanne Cash? Once again, I’ll beat my same old drum… they’re making records, people are buying them, listening to them, lauding them, claiming they’re underrated. So… seems as though they’re successful to me.
My first listen of this song has me thinking it’s perfectly fine but a bit boring. His voice doesn’t grab me at all, and there’s nothing about this musically or lyrically that stands out. Now, first listens are often not that reliable, so I promise I’ll come back later today and again tomorrow to see if it grows on me.
Paul Simon’s kid, Harper, (the “child of his first marriage” from ‘Graceland’) has a new album out.
Of the ones you mentioned, I’d say Natalie Cole and Roseanne Cash are definitely success stories (so is Jakob Dylan, for that matter).
Let’s not forget that Frank Sinatra Jr. never made it to the top, and Nancy had one hit with her walking boots. I guess it would be very hard to follow in Frank’s footsteps.
What a perfectly lovely song. Thanks for posting it. It would have never come into my radar if not for your blog. The guitar was so lovely as well. Very talented…