"QUESTIONING Bob Dylan", the title of a lecture given by Professor Christopher Ricks as part of Ledbury's Poetry Festival on Saturday, was intended to signify both deconstruction of the uber-hippy's lyrics and an allusion to his tendency to ask questions with them.

Prof Ricks' arrival in Ledbury saw the Burgage Hall packed with Dylan enthusiasts determined not to miss the editor of the Oxford Book of English Verse sharing his observations on the enigmatic star's songs.

His passion for his subject was apparent from the speedy delivery of his lecture, his thoughts almost tripping over themselves in his eagerness to share them, and the rapt expression he adopted, eyes shut, whenever he played a Dylan number on the portable stereo he endearingly struggled to control.

Profound analysis of tricks, traits and characteristics hidden in Dylan songs that could never be apparent to anyone without his encyclopaedic knowledge of literature and language, which made interesting listening.

But Prof Ricks' detailed probing sometimes brou-ght to mind the famous Oscar Wilde quote that "each man kills the things he loves", because breaking them down also destroyed some of their magic.

However, Prof Ricks' wit and charm made the hour enjoyable, and judging by the warm and prolonged applause that greeted his typically self-deprecating conclusion, his easy manner had won the crowd over completely.

jon di paolo