Nothing Is Revealed

According to BobDylan.com, Dylan has 706 songs, but that number is nearly 1,000 when you consider outtakes, alternate takes, unrecorded songs, and material that has never seen the light of day. Given this fact, is it even possible to pick just one song that is universally considered to be his "masterpiece," or is this just a fruitless endeavor? What even is a masterpiece in the first place? On this episode of Nothing Is Revealed, we attempt to do the impossible—permanently enshrine one song as his magnum opus, one that will be studied hundreds of years from now.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

A Deep Dive into a Mysterious Album

For all intents and purposes, Bob Dylan, as the world conceived of him, had died after crashing his motorcycle on that fateful July morning in 1966. Now equipped with ample free time, a farm, and a growing family, Dylan had finally escaped the rat race that was very quickly getting out of his control. So, what would Dylan do with his newfound freedom? John Wesley Harding is pivotal in the equation and is the key to answering that question...

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

“Bob Dylan is dead! The CIA killed him. The mafia killed him... or the real Dylan is alive, but can never play music again.” A two-sentence story published four days later in The New York Times under the headline "Dylan Hurt in Cycle Mishap" said he was under a doctor's care. Rumors sprouted over the following months that he was gravely injured, blind, and/or permanently disfigured. So, what really happened in the events surrounding Bob Dylan's famed motorcycle crash? What would've happened if the motorcycle crash never happened? Would he have actually died on tour in late 1966? We consider these questions, and more, on this episode of Nothing Is Revealed.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

An Instagram Live Event with Adam & Jens
(recorded live on Saturday, March 29, 2025)

To celebrate our 30th episode and crossing 4,000 followers on Instagram, we hopped on an Instagram Live to engage directly with our listeners. Over 500 people showed up throughout the hour-long event to ask us about meeting characters from Dylan songs, our dream guests to have on the podcast, our thoughts on Dylan's recent social media activity, and so much more! If you missed all or part of the event, tune in now to hear our answers to all of your burning questions.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

A contextual history of the night Dylan was censored by TV executives.

In May of 1963, Dylan was a complete unknown—just another aspiring musician with a passionate niche following, but no national profile whatsoever. Despite his lack of fame, he had secured what would surely be his big break with an invitation to perform on "The Ed Sullivan Show." One might have thought the chance to perform for a national audience on one of the biggest shows on TV was too tempting to avoid—but Dylan proved his authenticity when he walked out on the show. This is the story of why Dylan was censored and what it meant for the trajectory of his career.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

An Album Deep Dive

This week, we dive into Rough and Rowdy Ways, Bob Dylan's 39th studio album and his first collection of original songs since Tempest. Released after his trilogy of Sinatra cover albums, this album is a rich tapestry of themes, including art, death, assassinations, religion, and Dylan's own myth. Clocking in at 70 minutes and 33 seconds, Rough and Rowdy Ways has quickly earned its place as one of his most acclaimed works. Join us as we explore what makes this album stand out in Dylan’s legendary discography.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Adam's claim is that the Never Ending Tour is the best thing that Bob Dylan has ever done. That would mean it is above the 1966 world tour, Blood On The Tracks, the Rolling Thunder Revue, and everything else he has ever put to tape, toured, painted, sculpted, and/or malted, mashed, fermented, distilled, and aged. It is a bold claim, but one that Adam backs up with hard facts. On this episode, we (but primarily Adam) explore what the Never Ending Tour is, how it has evolved over time, and why it is the best thing that Dylan has ever done. You may not agree with our conclusions, but you cannot deny how unprecedented the Never Ending Tour really is.

*Notice/Correction: Jens misspoke when referring to Horsegirl as an all female band. Horsegirl is a band composed of Nora Cheng (she/her), Penelope Lowenstein (she/her), and Gigi Reece (they/them).*

NET YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO-inG2Ys329ktE5tpIamCAXVAwYJZFJa&si=fp2uyv5Y1gjWo3lK

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Bob Dylan's "Christian Era" is one of his strangest, and perhaps most controversial, eras. The songs were about God, Jesus, and man giving names to all the animals, while his concerts were filled with fire and brimstone sermons between songs. On this episode, we seek to contextualize this often overlooked and misunderstood period in his illustrious career. 

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

White face makeup, a hat with ornate flowers, and an energy, an exuberance yet to be seen from the enigmatic Dylan are on full display in what many consider to be his most iconic era. The Rolling Thunder Revue was a 1975–76 concert tour by Bob Dylan. The purpose of the tour was to allow Dylan to play in smaller auditoriums in less populated cities where he could be more intimate with his audiences. Join Adam and Jens as they give a brief history of the legendary Rolling Thunder Revue.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan.ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

A ✨Mystical✨ Album Deep Dive

Desire is one of Bob Dylan's most fascinating records. It deviates significantly from any of his previous albums in more ways than one. Blood on the Tracks, for example, was a memorial to personal and romantic trauma that traced an outline around a generation who prized individual freedoms to the point of self-annihilating alienation, whereas Desire is about getting stoned and strange and trying to forget all of that. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy one more cup of coffee as we break down an album that stands as a powerful statement in his ever-evolving musical legacy.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

“Keep a Good Head and Always Carry a Lightbulb” —Bob Dylan

Throughout his career, Bob Dylan has had a unique relationship with the press. At times, he has expressed concerns that the media misquotes him and takes his answers out of context. He has also said that he doesn't like giving press interviews because of these concerns. In the 60's he had to shed the "Spokesman of a Generation" label that the media was slapping on him. In the 80's, he had to reject the notion that he was a washed up musician from the 60's. Fame and celebrity are complicated, but this is how myths and legends grow.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

What makes Bob Dylan so endlessly fascinating?

We are going back to school. New and old Dylan fans alike will benefit as we breakdown the life, loves, losses, and legacy of the enigmatic Bob Dylan. From his humble beginnings in Duluth, Minnesota to his recording career, relationships, and religion—few rolling stones are left unturned. 

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Adam & Jens finally share their thoughts on the recent biopic, "A Complete Unknown."

“Charged up by Timothée Chalamet's electric performance, this ballad of Bob Dylan might not get under the enigmatic artist's skin but will make you feel like you've spent time in his company.”

Inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and idiosyncrasies abound, but maybe that's the point, as Nothing Is Revealed explores A Complete Unknown.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @dylan.ology

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

An Album Deep Dive

"Bringing It All Back Home" is one of the most influential albums ever. The opening alarm bell of "Subterranean Homesick Blues" signified a paradigm shift—Dylan was mixing up the medicine and changing up the formula. The world of music would never be the same again. This week we explore how this spectacular album came to be, while unpacking its impact. 

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @never.ending.dylan

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Ross Wylde is the mythical legend behind the ever-popular Bob Dylan YouTube channel, Swingin’ Pig. He started the page in July of 2014 and has well over 30 million views across his 290 videos. His page also boasts nearly 57,000 subscribers. On this episode, we chat with Ross about the page—how he made his videos, why the channel went dark, the good and bad of running a Dylan YouTube page, and much more.

Ross: @the_pianoman

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SwinginPig

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @never.ending.dylan

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

We may be a Bob Dylan podcast, but we are fans of all kinds of music. 2024 was one of the best years in recent memory in terms of new music releases, so you know we had to share our favorites. In total, 25 different albums from this year are discussed, along with a handful of non-2024 albums that we particularly enjoyed this year. Jens also shared his thoughts on "A Complete Unknown" to kick off the conversation.

Thank you for all your support in 2024. Big things are happening in 2025!

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @never.ending.dylan

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

An Album Deep Dive

"When Bob Dylan—the patron saint of sneering, disaffected poets—announced he was releasing a collection of classic Christmas songs for charity, smirkers got smirkier: What, after all, is more absurd than a beloved iconoclast embracing the schmaltziest, most achingly commercial genre of all? It sounded insane. And it is insane, sort of..."

On this episode the guys break down the behind the scenes details of Christmas In The Heart, while sharing their thoughts on the beloved Christmas record. 

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @never.ending.dylan

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

A Conversation About Bob Dylan's Alternate Takes.

Bob Dylan has never played a song the same way twice, whether in the studio or on the big stage. The Bootleg Series has made this abundantly clear. So, what if Dylan had released Take 5 of Visions of Johanna from The Cutting Edge? What if he had released only the New York sessions for Blood On The Tracks? Dylan's unparalleled output, especially early in his career, allows us to imagine how his albums could have sounded had he released an alternate take. 

-Apple Music Alternate Takes Playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/blame-it-on-a-simple-twist-of-fate/pl.u-AkAmvbyI2qbBkXd

-Spotify Alternate Takes Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xjnfgyXdLAwRihogZUVkX?si=aH-JyERORJinkzllsd7-aQ&pi=e-QOKtZg8NTBaq

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @never.ending.dylan (inactivated at the moment)

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

A Conversation About Bob Dylan's Album Outtakes.

Bob Dylan has released many incredible albums over his illustrious career, but it is often said that he leaves his best material on the cutting room floor. Is that true? Would these respective albums be even better if we replaced some of the tracks with outtakes? Is there an inherent phenomenon with Dylan outtakes? These questions, and more, are considered on this episode of Nothing Is Revealed as we rewrite Dylan's history.

-Apple Music Outtakes Playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/another-day-another-time/pl.u-vxy6JY3CzZEDXRq

-Spotify Outtakes Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tBNYJA9ZDZnpHLLhn2oDo?si=sSuYC7O2T--LrCC3WOm31Q&pi=u-BcRvUPNjQG2_

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @never.ending.dylan

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.

Original Episode Title: "Planet Waves — "Hotter Than A Crotch"?"

An Album Deep Dive

Planet Waves is the fourteenth studio album by Bob Dylan. It is significant in Dylan's discography, as it is the only official studio album to feature longtime collaborators The Band. This album is often overshadowed by his early 60's output, along with Blood On The Tracks, which was released only a year after Planet Waves. So, we take the time to explore this under-appreciated gem on another installment of our Album Deep Dive series.

The Podcast: @nothingisrevealed

Adam: @never.ending.dylan

Jens: @dylan_ologist

Email us: [email protected]

 
Thank you, Thomas Francis (@thomasfrancisfolk), for the podcast soundtrack.

Thank you, Andrea (@andreahm.1), for our podcast artwork.