Crying Time

So they gave Dylan a Pulitzer Prize.

For his "profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power."

Well, I guess.

If I was giving him a prize, I would say it was for the most glorious fade-out in the history of musical performance. At the end of the third track on Empire Burlesque, after he takes leave of his "dear, sweet friend," in "I'll Remember You," the instruments take over for one more time through, and then they go into the fadeout.

To appreciate it fully, you have to listen to it in a good set of earphones. Try not to anticipate anything. After the last verse, when the instruments start in, you might think that's the beginning of the fadeout, but it isn't. You'll know when the fadeout begins. There won't be any doubt in your mind.

Let the waves wash over you as it slowly fades. It'll make you cry.