I hesitated to read the interview posted here about the new album - in general, my favorite artists tend to give interviews that don't address much of what interests me.

So, I was pleasantly surprised when I went ahead and clicked onto the article.

My favorite bits:

Q: I suspect that a lot of men will identify with MY WIFE’S HOME TOWN. Do you ever get in hot water with your in-laws over your songs?
A: No not really. The only person it could matter to gets a kick out of it. That song is meant as a compliment anyhow.

Weird question, great answer!

A: ...if there are shadows and flowers and swampy ledges in a composition, that’s what they are in their essence. There’s no mystification. That’s one way I can explain it.
Q: Like a locomotive, a pair of boots, a kiss or the rain?
A: Right. All those things are what they are. Or pieces of what they are. It’s the way you move them around that makes it work.

Locomotives, boots, kisses, and the rain! Some of my very favorite Dylan images!

Q: If a young man considering a career in the arts wanted to meet a lot of women, would he be better off learning to paint or to play guitar?
A: Probably neither. If he had women on his mind, he might think about becoming a lawyer or a doctor.
Q: Seriously?
A: Yeah, seriously.

LOL. Dylan's best answers are always followed by the interviewer saying, "Seriously?"

Loved the discussion of Barack Obama - "he's like a fictional character." Yeah, his background is like someone from a Dylan song.

Q: Any chance your Jolene is the same woman who got Dolly Parton so worked up?
A: You mean that woman with the flaming locks of auburn hair?
Q: Yeah! Whose smile is like a breath of Spring.
A: Oh yeah, I remember her.
Q: Is it the same one?
A: It’s a different lady.

I would have never known about the other "Jolene" song if I hadn't read this. I went and listened to it, and that is a great little piece of history from '74!

All in all, a much more satisfying article than I had expected.