Happy Birthday Mr Bob is the title of a new Irish book celebrating Bob Dylan on his 80th birthday (24 May ). With almost 100 contributors the book also has beautiful drawings of Bob by the rock legend, the late Rory Gallagher.
Edited by well known Mayo freelance journalist and award-winning radio documentary maker, Liamy Mac Nally, the book boasts submissions from many well-known Irish poets, writers, musicians and broadcasters alongside a cross-section of a typical Bob Dylan Irish audience.
The Late Late Toy Show star Michael Moloney pens a heartfelt poem honouring his late father, Emmett, a Bob Dylan fan; Tim Hailstone explains why he named the 2021 Irish Grand National Winner Freewheelin Bob; Theo Dorgan, Paula Meehan, Gerard Smyth, Gerald Dawe, Roberta Beary, Joseph O’Connor, Pete Mullineaux, Micheal O’Siadhail and Geraldine Mitchell are among the poets; musicians include Liam Ó Maonlaí, Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Oisín Leech (Lost Brothers );with broadcasters Dave Fanning and Brian Lally and a host of other Dylan admirers who tell their Bob story.
Did you know that "Hurricane" has a BPM (beats per minute/heart rate ) of 135 while "All Along the Watchtower" is 117? Read about ‘conservative’ Granny Peigí baking while unknowingly lilting "Raining Day Women (Everybody Must Get Stoned )"; a recollection of Dylan’s first Irish concert (Dublin 1966 ) from someone who was there; and stories from every corner of the country confirming the influence of Bob, like 15 year-old Joe Reidy, who decides the key of ‘F was a road too far’.
Agus tá cúpla scéalta ‘s dánta as Gaeilge freisin, including an Irish translation of "The Times They Are A-Changin" by Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, one of Ireland’s best known traditional singers. And there’s much more… a book of bouquets to Bob!
Published by CPR (Covie Publications and Recordings ), Westport, Mayo. Book design and layout by Frank O’Reilly. Available from mayobooks.ie online. RRP €16.
