The Never Ending Bob Dylan Thread

Bob Dylan - Self Portrait (1970)

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"What is this shit?"

This album prompted that line, one of the most memorable from Rolling Stone music reviews. Even allmusic's review notes:
There has never been a clearer attempt to shed an audience than Self-Portrait. At least, that's one way of looking at this baffling double album, a deliberately sprawling affair that runs the gamut from self-portrait to self-parody, touching on operatic pop, rowdy Basement Tapes leftovers, slight whimsy, and covers of wannabe Dylans from Paul Simon to Gordon Lightfoot. To say the least, it's confusing, especially arriving at the end of a decade of unmitigated brilliance, and while the years have made it easier to listen to, it still remains inscrutable, an impossible record to unlock. It may not be worth the effort, either, since this isn't a matter of deciphering cryptic lyrics or interpreting lyrics, it's all about discerning intent, figuring out what the hell Dylan was thinking when he was recording -- not trying to decode a song.
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There has been a swing more-recently to reevaluate Self Portrait, but even Dylan apologists have to admit, it's his first album that is not in the excellent to transcendent range since his debut (which is still a darn fine folk album). Probably because of the wealth of bad to blah reviews, I've really only perhaps listened to this album in its entirety ONCE. It's not bad - certainly Dylan's originals (many of which are live admixed with the studio cuts) are worth listening - here's the first Dylan release of "The Mighty Quinn" (covered successfully by Manfred Mann and later released on The Basement Tapes) - but he choice of so many covers is odd. Gordon Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain" is good, Paul Simon's "The Boxer" not so much. He doesn't even sing on the opener - a female choir does; odd choice for an opener (even the Clash didn't pull that on Sandinista)

Some people viewed this as a joke, many were extremely disappointed that after some interesting direction into country-rock, THIS was what Dylan would release as his next step (it's almost an Odds and Sods collection but in double album when most music fans (aside from jazz lovers) didn't really care about random tracks and outtakes.
Overall, I'm happy to hear it again with some temporal perspective - it's a pretty mellow album, pleasant, certainly not "shit" as Greil Marcus originally felt (interestingly in the Bootleg Series comp: Another Self Portrait, Marcus was asked to do the liner note reviews)
 
Zeeba Neighba said:
Bob Dylan - Self Portrait (1970)

0000090595.jpg


"What is this shit?"

This album prompted that line, one of the most memorable from Rolling Stone music reviews. Even allmusic's review notes:


There has been a swing more-recently to reevaluate Self Portrait, but even Dylan apologists have to admit, it's his first album that is not in the excellent to transcendent range since his debut (which is still a darn fine folk album). Probably because of the wealth of bad to blah reviews, I've really only perhaps listened to this album in its entirety ONCE. It's not bad - certainly Dylan's originals (many of which are live admixed with the studio cuts) are worth listening - here's the first Dylan release of "The Mighty Quinn" (covered successfully by Manfred Mann and later released on The Basement Tapes) - but he choice of so many covers is odd. Gordon Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain" is good, Paul Simon's "The Boxer" not so much. He doesn't even sing on the opener - a female choir does; odd choice for an opener (even the Clash didn't pull that on Sandinista)

Some people viewed this as a joke, many were extremely disappointed that after some interesting direction into country-rock, THIS was what Dylan would release as his next step (it's almost an Odds and Sods collection but in double album when most music fans (aside from jazz lovers) didn't really care about random tracks and outtakes.
Overall, I'm happy to hear it again with some temporal perspective - it's a pretty mellow album, pleasant, certainly not "shit" as Greil Marcus originally felt (interestingly in the Bootleg Series comp: Another Self Portrait, Marcus was asked to do the liner note reviews)
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I’m going to have to spin the Bootleg Series comp. My recollection of SP is that Dylan was unhappy with Columbia Records so he pushed this one out as a thumb in the eye and to satisfy his contract. That enabled him to jump ship to Asylum, but his experience with David Geffen proved so miserable that he returned to Columbia. Neil Young went through the same pattern, leaving Reprise for Geffen and then returning.
 
Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series, Vol 10: Another Self Portrait (released 2013)

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Dylan paints again! (and it still doesn't look anything like him)

Ojai commented that he should listen to this comp of odds and ends from the Self Portait and New Morning (released months later - I spun this morning) sessions as well as live tracks, a Basement Tracks leftover. Most tracks are simple, stripped down country folk. Worth the listen - sounds good. One wonders if some of this stuff had made the original Self Portrait perhaps it wouldn't have been such a shock to fans and critics.
 
Zeeba Neighba said:
Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline (1969)

Read a quote from Kris Kristopherson
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Now, why did Old Kris go about changing his last name like that? ;)
Addendum: Charlie Daniels places bass guitar and guitar on this album (interesting not fiddle - maybe he hadn't faced off against the Devil yet ;))
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Pure, unadulterated ego. It's a helluva drug.

ETA: I am appreciating this series also, Dr. Zeeba. :clap:
 
Bob Dylan - Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid (1973)

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Dylan released Self Portrait and New Morning within months apart in 1970 then didn't release anything in 3 years until this soundtrack to a Sam Peckinpah film.
First time I've listened to this one (though certainly know the album's hit "Knockin' On Heaven's Door". Most are simple country instrumentals - low key, pleasant. I don't know how often I'll turn to this one in years ahead but certainly a chill, nice listen for a Friday :)
 
Bob Dylan - Dylan (1973)

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Another first listen by me - as Sam mentioned, Bob jumped from Columbia to Asylum for a bit, and Columbia assembled sound outtakes from the Self Portrait album. Allmusic notes this one is "Commonly regarded as the worst album in Bob Dylan's catalog"; Bob didn't want it released. Perhaps because of its poor ratings, but really because it's not included in his studio chronology (often noted in compilation lists), I've never turned its way.
There are no originals on this one with some odd covers (even by Self Portrait standards) like Elvis' hits "Can't Help Falling In Love" and "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I", Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi", and "Mr. Bojangles" (?!).
Interesting now that time has passed, these covers don't seem odd in light of Dylan's recent penchant for Sinatra covers. That doesn't make them any better though. Not entirely a waste - the covers of traditional songs "Sarah Jane" and "Lily of the West" are OK
Addendum: Dylan wrote "Sarah Jane" actually but took it from a traditional song of late 19th century "Rock about My Saro Jane"

I do like this line from the allmusic review: "die-hard fans with a perverse sense of humor will find the record worth a listen. " :oops: are they talking about me?
 
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Bob Dylan - Planet Waves (1974)

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Dylan's first proper studio album in 4 years - he had released a greatest hits and a soundtrack but here he reunites with The Band with whom he would embark on successful tour (see live album Before the Flood up next). I often overlook this gem because...well...look what's coming up - a tremendous live album followed by two of his best Blood on the Tracks and Desire (which as I've posted before, I love). Has a cool, easygoing vibe similar to New Morning but with better music backup and arrangements with The Band. "On A Night Light This", "Going Going Gone", "You Angel You", and, of course "Forever Young" all winners - whole album's a wonderful listen. Bob was back and would stay back for the rest of the mid-70s
 
Bob Dylan & The Band - Before the Flood (1974)

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Dylan series took a break this weekend, and busy day yesterday. Now it's a week before St. Paddy's day so I'll be fitting some Irish/Celtic music in there too. Moving forward with this double album live set. In 1974, Dylan was not exactly at the highpoint of his career (though the recent Planet Waves did well) and the Band released Moondog Matinee, an album of covers that was far from their best. They all got together for a tour, chronicled on Before the Flood which was very successful and well regarded. The live album here gets good reviews - before the Bootleg series, probably Dylan's best live albums (bootlegs excluded) - and sold quite well - this was Dylan's first live album released (again, bootlegs excluded). Fans were able to hear Dylan rework some arrangements and deliver these songs, backed by the band, in an almost furious delivery.

Still, the album's never grabbed me the same way it does others - perhaps that's because I was exposed to it after some of his Bootleg live releases, perhaps because I don't appreciate the Band as others do. Though some songs like "Ballad of a Thin Man" benefit from the faster, powerful delivery, Dylan's singing on others is a bit forced and affected.

Good to listen again - on to Blood on the Tracks :thumbsup:
 
Just: The Bootleg Series Vol 14: More Blood, More Tracks
Now: The Bootleg Series Vol 5: Bob Dylan Live 1975 The Rolling Thunder Revue

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After Blood on the Tracks today, listened for the first time to Dylan's last Bootleg Series release thus far , the 2018 More Blood, More Tracks - not the 6 disc complete alternate version boxed set but the simpler 11 song release that has some nice, but in general inessential, alternate cuts of the songs of the album.

After that, playing what I feel is Dylan's best live release - the 2-disc 1975 Rolling Thunder tour release. The only thing wrong with this set is that it's not one concert but a combination of several along the Rolling Thunder tour (which, hey, no big deal most live albums from the 1960s-1990s aren't one show). Compared to Before the Flood, here are some exciting alternate arrangements of old classics. Though the tour was before Dylan's next album (Desire which I love), he rolled out several numbers from that album on this tour ("Isis", "Sara", "Hurricane", etc). And hey, Joan Baez is here on four tracks just like old time
(despite the odd mascara and whiteface makeup at times, many feel this was an exciting tour for Dylan and this set bears this out - a much better document than the single disc Hard Rain live 1976 single album release)
 
Bob Dylan - Street Legal (1978)

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Blood On the Tracks and Desire were such great albums (and represented a resurgence of Dylan both critically and popularly) that albums following it, no doubt, were judged by such high standards. Just finished Hard Rain which was an single disc sample of his Rolling Thunder tour - it's just so-so but certainly not as bad as the criticism at the time. Well, it sounds poorly recorded with the band buried in the background mix. I liked his new take on "Lay Lady Lay", and the newer material (especially "Idiot Wind") comes off fresh. That being said, I'm not sure there's much reason to break it out when you have the Bootleg Series 2-disc take on the tour.

On the other hand, Street Legal is definitely worth breaking out from time to time, and I'm disappointed with myself with forgetting about it for so many years. All right, it's NOT Blood on the Tracks or Desire, but Dylan sounds great and his choice of female background vocalists is a good one. The music is lighter and more upbeat (the lyrics are as dense as ever) with "Changing of the Guards" a great opener. Critics at the time were not kind with Christgau calling it a "horrendous product" and Rolling Stone stating "Most of the stuff here is dead air, or close to it "; it got primarily dinged for being a little too slickly produced. I think it's a nice addition to Dylan's canon with Bob, as always, changing things up.
 
Bob Dylan - At Budokan (1979)

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Well, after some spirited St. Patrick's listening then some Bruce and Dick Dale today, back to some Dylan. Though I wanted to listen to some other things, it's no coincidence my musical diversions coincided with Dylan's late 70s/early 80s period. While Bob had a rejuvenation of sorts in the mid 70s, he would soon release three very different albums coinciding with his status as a born again Christian. Very different and very polarizing - though the period has its fans, very few would rank this period/album cycle as tremendous

At least, those albums were something different and original. Bob could always be counted on to do something interesting...then again, there's At Budokon, his third live album in five years. It's amazing that up to now 21 official albums released, Dylan's track record on very good to great albums is INCREDIBLE (I'd say 14-15 albums). It's also not surprising that among most ranking of Dylan albums, his live albums are low down on the list - Dylan tries different arrangements in concerts and sometimes they just don't still. But At Budokan is Dylan's first really boring release - while Street Legal's more soulful polished presentation with saxes and soul singers seem (to me at least) like an original direction, his use of these elements here didn't work - they should work, but damn some of these arrangements are so bland (take the first track "Mr. Tamborine Man" or the slow "I Want You") or odd (reggae beat in "Don't Think Twice It's All Right", sing-songy "All I Really Want to Do"). Compared to the aggressive Rolling Thunder arrangement, "Ballad of A Thin Man" is tepid.
Not all is horrible - "Oh, Sister" and a violin-accompanied "Watchtower" are interesting
Still, this is a double album, and it's tough wading through the bulk of it to get to these better pieces. At Budokan has gone down for many as Dylan's worst album - definitely a contender especially as we know Bob can do better
 
Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series, Vol. 13: Trouble No More (1979-1981)

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Yesterday, I listened to Dylan's three albums from his Born Again period: Slow Train Running, Saved, and Shot of Love. This phase of Dylan's career is long-maligned, even today by many. At the time, it was another new direction that was such a shift from the successful/popular earlier phase that most fans hated this. Add on that many rock listeners didn't particularly enjoy being preached to - but it was more than that. Lyrically, the songs in general are much more basic. Listening today, I think the albums (primarily Saved) suffers from a clear late 70s/early 80s glossy production sound which sounds dated.
That being said, there are some good tracks here e.g. "Every Grain of Sand". Also interesting is that the outtakes from this era found on Bob's first Bootleg Series release ("You Changed My Life", "Need A Woman", "Angelina" are excellent).
These are three albums one is probably gonna break out on such a listening series as this one, but they are not without merit and are (as Dylan always in) interesting failures
I'd rate: Shot of Love > Slow Train Running > Saved - an inverse relationship to how preachy they are but also how overproduced they are. I actually enjoy Shot of Love

Though a late entry in the Bootleg Series, the 13th edition focuses on this era by taking live tracks from his shows of the era. Clearly such a release indicates Bob does not look at this era as one without merits, nor will listeners by the way. Stripped down of some of the period's production, and backed by a decent band, the live cuts sound great and seem honest, confessional. This edition, like most of the Bootleg Series, is worth of listen for Dylan fans (again I'm using the 2 disc set not the 8 to 11 disc bonus editions)
 
Bob Dylan - Infidels (1983)

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Dylan's return to secular rock after a trio of spiritually-focused work was welcomed by fans and critics. It certainly does rock more with Mark Knoffler, the former Stone Mick Taylor, and the rhythm section of Sly & Robby (songs like "Jokerman" and "I and I" have Jamaican influences). Very good album though not achieving that upper echelon.

The best song from this album's sessions is actually not on this album - "Blind Willie McTell" is fantastic, oft-covered, and was released on his initial Bootleg series release (played by me today after the album)

My listening of music has been so sporadic lately. Schedule has been busier than usual and hasn't allowed for the kind of listening I would prefer (hence Dylan series a bit slower than it initially started). Hey, things happen. It also has interfered from posting at the MG the amount I'd prefer :( Hopefully better soon
 
After a so-so Real Live, tackled Bob Dylan's mid-late 80s trio of albums Empire Burlesque, Knocked Out Loaded, and Down in the Groove today. After the resurgent Infidels, Bob put out a trio of albums each of which has a bit of a different flavor - Empire for example more 80s gloss (check out the cover), Knocked Out more rootsy . I don't mind any of them (many did not get much love from critics) and don't even think Down in the Groove is as bad as often felt, but all are somewhat forgettable. Sure, there are some nice number on each e.g "Emotionally Yours", "When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky" (granted, the alternate version of the first Bootleg Series release in better), the 11-minute "Brownsville Girl". Still all of the remind me of classic rock artists trying to find a way to fit into the 80s. Remember Dire Straits' On Every Street or Bob Seger's The Fire Inside (granted 1991). Yeah, neither do I (except I do sadly). Bob seems to be trying but just not fitting in - Empire Burlesque one could argue, based on Ronnie Wood's comments, that perhaps he wasn't even trying - he produced but often wouldn't make decisions and let engineers run amuck.
Bob would have better success in the years to come as he worked with the Travelling Wilburys and would release the successful Oh Mercy.

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