BOB ON BOB

I always appreciate a knowledgeable opinion on a piece of work from an artist and poet the stature of Bob Dylan, and Robert Hilburn’s article is that for the most part (“No ‘Time’ Like the Present,” Sept. 28).

But to suggest that Dylan cut out 21 minutes from his “Time Out of Mind” album is ridiculous. Using Hilburn’s same “Blonde on Blonde” analogy, could you imagine if someone convinced Dylan to leave out “Absolutely Sweet Marie” and “Visions of Johanna”? These largely unknown classics might be lost forever.

Please stick to the reviews and let Daniel Lanois do the producing.

DAVID CMAYLO

Los Angeles

*

I am in a state of shock to find that Bob Dylan and Daniel Lanois, who between them have created and produced so many of the world’s benchmark albums, could have been so negligent in choosing the songs and making the sequencing decisions on Dylan’s new record without first consulting Robert Hilburn. Imagine the nerve.

GARY WEISBERG

Woodland Hills

*

Hilburn relishes the moment in Dylan’s song “Highlands” when a waitress asks the singer for a drawing, then doesn’t like the results. Does he see no parallel in “editing” the 73-minute “Time Out of Mind” down to 52 minutes and giving the “Hilburn version” a higher grade?

DAVID ALLEN

Rancho Cucamonga

* *

L.A. TIMES

(Official Version)

* * * *

L.A. TIMES

(Without Hilburn)

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ROBERT SHIMEALL

Los Angeles