Words: 46 (12×12)
Average Length: 5.30
16 Across was the seed, but I couldn’t resist the clue for 28 Across. Might as well joke about it while I still can.
Tag: Bob Dylan
Categories
Color Meld 1 – Music
Words: 70
Average Length: 5.17
Even though I’m red-green colorblind, I’ve always been fascinated by the way different colors combine to form other colors. Here’s the first of three puzzles in this vein. The primary color theme answers for this one are two excellent, very well-known songs (19 and 32 Across). 19 Across, to me, is one of Dylan’s best, from the album of his (Blood on the Tracks) that I like the most. 32 Across also is a great song, from Joni Mitchell’s brilliant Ladies of the Canyon album (which also has “The Circle Game” and “For Free,” two other terrific tracks). At first I was reluctant to include the relatively unfamiliar 49 Across as the secondary color theme answer, but I’ve always had a sweet spot in my heart for it, and it is, as the clue notes, considered the first bubblegum pop hit to make it to #1. Here’s a link.
Categories
Mostly Musical Mini 21
Words: 20
Average Length: 5.10
Two listening notes: First, “The Weight” (clue for 1 Across). I’m partial to songs that are filled with allusions and weird characters and seem like they mean something, even if that meaning is not apparent. That’s why I’m a wholly commited Dylan fan; I know his songs express profound truths, even if I’m not sure what they are. “The Weight” grabs me from the first line: Nazareth and the terrific lyrical conceit of “feeling ‘bout half ___ dead.” The original version by The Band remains my favorite – Robbie Robertson is a certified songwriting genius and Levon Helm and Richard Manuel are soulful singers – but some of the covers are terrific as well, including those by Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker, and Weezer.
Second, “The Letter,” by 5 Across. This is one of the best bubblegum pop songs ever. It rocks hard and hammers the imperative to “get back to my baby once more.” Plus, it’s yet another song with a brilliant, bluesy Joe Cocker cover.
I’M HAVING ISSUES UPLOADING AN ONLINE VERSION – IF I CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT’S WRONG I’LL AMEND THIS POST TO INCLUDE AN ONLINE LINK.
Categories
Forecasts in Four Four Time
Words: 79 (15×16 grid)
Average Length: 4.96
To quote the endlessly quotable Bob Dylan, “you don’t need a weather man to know which way the wind blows.” (“Subterranean Homesick Blues”). A musical meteorologist will do just fine, as this puzzle reveals.
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