Bob Dylan Center

Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles after the Far East leg of the 1978 tour, Dylan and his band returned to Rundown Studios in Santa Monica. There, between April 25 and May 1, they recorded Dylan’s eighteenth studio album, “Street-Legal,” with Don Devito producing. The album was released on this day in 1978.

“Baby, Stop Crying” was released as the album’s first single on July 31, 1978. The songs continue to captivate in the 21st century, with “New Pony” and “Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)” having been artfully covered by The Dead Weather and Willie Nelson, respectively.

Pictured: “Street-Legal” 3-D promotional standee. Currently on display in the Earl Minnis Gallery exhibition of the Bob Dylan Archive.

On this day in 2019, “Rolling Thunder R***e: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese” was released on Netflix and in select theaters. The film is Scorsese's second film on Bob Dylan, following 2005's “No Direction Home.”

Pictured: promotional release poster for the film, on display in the Columbia Records Gallery at the Bob Dylan Center.

Watch the film's trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=PS4gsWDSn68

On this day in 1985, Bob Dylan released his 23rd studio album, “Empire Burlesque.” Recorded between July 1984 and March 1985, the album reflected the sound of the era with its synth-driven production and electronic drums. Dylan brought in a wide range of guest musicians for the sessions, including Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, along with Ronnie Wood, Al Kooper and Jim Keltner. Dylan produced most of the record himself, with mixing assistance from Arthur Baker, known for his work in hip-hop, New Wave and club remix culture.

One of the album’s standout tracks, “When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky,” exemplified the record’s dancefloor-ready aesthetic. Originally recorded as a driving rock song with Stevie Van Zandt and Roy Bittan of the E Street Band, Dylan ultimately chose a version mixed by Baker in the style of contemporary dance singles. Though it was released as a B-side in the U.S., the song saw international release as a single, with the UK 7-inch featuring a rare alternate edit and mix.

Pictured: “Empire Burlesque” official songbook, “When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky” 45 rpm single, “Tight Connection to My Heart” official sheet music. Currently on display in the Earl Minnis Gallery exhibition of the Bob Dylan Archive.

As a tie-in to the current “Going Electric: Bob Dylan ’65” exhibition, next Monday, June 15, the Bob Dylan Center is pleased to present an evening with Scott Freiman, host of the popular PBS series “Deconstructing the Beatles.” For this special multimedia event at Circle Cinema, Freiman will deconstruct folk music, exploring the genre’s roots and evolutions in both the U.S. and U.K. — from ancient British ballads and Appalachian work songs to the thriving folk revival scenes of the 1950s and ‘60s — as these traditions led to the chiming guitars and literary lyrics of folk rock.

Tickets on sale now: bobdylancenter.com/event/deconstructing-folk-music

Deconstructing The Music

Bob Dylan's tenth studio album, “Self Portrait,” was released on this day in 1970.

After the country sounds of “Nashville Skyline,” Dylan changed course again with “Self Portrait,” a collection of folk songs, originals and live performances from the 1969 Isle of Wight Festival. Despite the album’s idiosyncrasies and a mixed critical reception, “Self Portrait” demonstrated Dylan’s enduring star power, topping at #4 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Cash Box and Record World album charts. Even more surprising is that the album spawned a hit single, the wordless “Wigwam,” which went to #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and would go on to become an instrumental hit in a number of countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium.

Pictured: Self Portrait album artwork proof with promotional poster reproduction. Currently on display in the Earl Minnis Gallery exhibition of the Bob Dylan Archive.

On this day in 1969, Bob Dylan made a rare television appearance, performing on the first episode of The Johnny Cash Show — Dylan's first TV performance in over three years. Taped at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, the episode featured Dylan performing “I Threw It All Away,” “Living the Blues” and a duet with Cash, “Girl From the North Country.”

Pictured: Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash rehearsing for the first episode of The Johnny Cash Show on ABC, May 1, 1969. ABC Photo Archives via Getty Images. On display in the Columbia Records Gallery at the Bob Dylan Center.

Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is racing through the Tulsa Arts District all day today and the race course passes right outside the center's front door. The center is open today until 6 p.m. Plan your visit: bobdylancenter.com/visit

As a tie-in to the current “Going Electric: Bob Dylan ’65” exhibition, on Monday, June 15, the Bob Dylan Center is pleased to present an evening with Scott Freiman, host of the popular PBS series “Deconstructing the Beatles.” For this special multimedia event at Circle Cinema, Freiman will deconstruct folk music, exploring the genre’s roots and evolutions in both the U.S. and U.K. — from ancient British ballads and Appalachian work songs to the thriving folk revival scenes of the 1950s and ‘60s — as these traditions led to the chiming guitars and literary lyrics of folk rock.

Tickets on sale now: bobdylancenter.com/event/deconstructing-folk-music

Deconstructing The Music

Join Bob Dylan Center inaugural artist-in-residence Joy Harjo and senior director Steven Jenkins for a members-only online conversation in celebration of Joy’s newly released album “Insomnia and Seven Steps to Grace,” a deeply ruminative yet joyous collection of songs that speak to both timely and timeless themes of personal reflection, societal imbalance and spiritual renewal. Written and performed with acclaimed jazz bassist and composer Esperanza Spalding, recorded at The Church Studio right here in Tulsa and released on the historic Folkways Records label, “Insomnia and Seven Steps to Grace” is a provocative and ultimately comforting soundtrack to our tumultuous era, enlivened by Joy’s indelible poetic lyricism, sly vocal delivery and impassioned saxophone playing.

Joy will discuss her artistic process and the many steps — seven and counting — that led to the album’s gestation, creation and circulation, and will share and elucidate select tracks. Members are invited to join Joy and Steve for this hour-long Zoom session and contribute their own questions and comments.

Learn more and become a member: bobdylancenter.com/event/insomnia-and-seven-steps-to-grace