There might not have been a Bob Dylan if not for Dylan Thomas or Woody Guthrie so I'd say he read them like a book.

I had one of my lightbulb moments about half an hour ago. I forgot and don't think it's been mentioned but Dylan was a self-contained act. Jason Blume has said his techniques are for writers who do not record. If you have the power to record what you wrote, you're already ahead.

It's important too to remember there's all kinds of ways to judge talent. The Beatles were turned down by over 60 record companies. For whatever reason, 60 decision makers turned down the biggest musical act of all time before somebody finally gave them a break. Who knows? 30 years from now Jason Blume may be the Bernie Taupin of the modern age.