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Bob Dylan in 1966
Bob Dylan in 1966

"Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan (pictured). First released as the final track on Dylan's seventh studio album Blonde on Blonde (1966), the song lasts 11 minutes and 23 seconds, and occupies the entire fourth side of the double album. The song was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. The music is a waltz in 6/8 time. Most writers agree that the song was composed for Dylan's wife Sara Lownds. Dylan's lyrics polarized critics; several reviewers found them impenetrable, but rated the song favorably. Later writers have often agreed with this, praising the sound, dismissing the lyrics, and rating the song as amongst Dylan's best work. It has been covered by a variety of artists, including Joan Baez, on Any Day Now (1968), and Richie Havens, on Mixed Bag II (1974). Roger Waters of Pink Floyd said that the song changed his life, and George Harrison wrote that the track influenced aspects of the Beatles song "Long, Long, Long". (Full article...)

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Logan Thompson
Logan Thompson

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On this day

February 16: Day of the Shining Star in North Korea; Elizabeth Peratrovich Day in Alaska

Act of Independence of Lithuania
Act of Independence of Lithuania
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Shane Patton
Shane Patton

The chief commissioner of the Victoria Police is the highest-ranking police officer in the Australian state of Victoria. The chief commissioner serves as the primary liaison between Victoria Police, government agencies, and relevant government ministers, and is appointed by the governor of Victoria. The Police Regulation Act 1853 established the role of chief commissioner, which was first held by Sir William Mitchell. The chief commissioner acts as the chief executive officer and chief constable of Victoria Police, and reports to the minister for police. The longest-serving chief commissioner was Frederick Standish, who served from 3 September 1858 to 1 October 1880 for a term of 22 years and 28 days. The current chief commissioner, Shane Patton (pictured), assumed office on 27 June 2020. (Full list...)

Violet-backed starling

The violet-backed starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) is a relatively small species of starling, common in most of sub-Saharan Africa. It is strongly sexually dimorphic, with the male's iridescent violet plumage contrasting with the heavily streaked brown female. A bird of open woodland, clearings and gallery forests, it feeds in the treetops, with its diet including fruits, seeds and insects. It nests in tree cavities, with green leaves and dung having been recorded as nesting materials. The female incubates the clutch of two to four eggs, and the male helps rear the young until they fledge about three weeks after hatching. This female violet-backed starling, of the subspecies C. l. verreauxi, was photographed in Damaraland, Namibia.

Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp

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