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FROM THE ARCHIVES:Bob Dylan’s first Irish concert, in Dublin in 1966, was reviewed by The Irish Timesjazz critic, George D Hodnett, who was a well-known eccentric as well as a musician and composer of satirical songs. His best-known composition, Take Me Up To Monto, about Dublin’s red-light district around Montgomery St, which was shut down in the 1920s, was made famous by Ronnie Drew and the Dubliners. Hoddy, as he was known, thought Dylan was a bit of a poet but, as a musician, he sucked when he should blow and vice versa. – JOE JOYCE

BOB DYLAN is a phenomenon. That statement, like many others one might make, has been worn down to meaninglessness by publicity material about popular stars of every sort, so I had better explain what I mean.