Hilburn’s ‘Play’ List

I’ve appreciated Robert Hilburn’s work (especially on Bob Dylan) for many, many years. In fact, in his conversations with Dylan over the decades, I think Dylan has “opened up” considerably more than with other interviewers.

I had fun reading his “N rating” article (“Please, Don’t Play It One More Time,” Aug. 20). He’s right concerning the majority of the artists he cites, but I think Dylan deliberately took his time in premiering his “Time Out of Mind” songs live over a period of time (as opposed to rehearsing them all at once to be ready to play them), probably feeling that this new major work would have to fuel his touring concerts for quite a while.

CARSTEN BAUMANN

Saarlouis, Germany

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While we are on the subject of nostalgia acts who can’t keep up with the times, who play the same old tune over and over and over, perhaps that list might be extended to include music critics. I’ve got a good candidate in mind.

ERIK NELSON

Los Angeles