When I heard that Bryan Ferry was making an album of Dylan songs I nearly said a naughty word or two.
Out of a sense of duty I got the album on the day of its release and I must admit…it ain’t that bad. “All I really want to do” and “All along the Watchtower” sound more like cover versions of Byrds/Hendrix versions and " If not for You"..well, it was not for him anyway.
Very impressive is his take on “Positively 4th Street”, a bitter and angry song which Ferry turns into a resigned and reflective lament. Another highlight is his handling of “The Gates of Eden”. I have never even heard of anybody attempting to bring that one off but he makes a very good job of it.
The band are tight and never intrusive and the arrangements are clear cut and simple as Ferry lets the songs speak for themselves.
All in all it’s worth having..now..I said it and it didn’t hurt too much.
dubhlinn…
What was the source of your pre-listening angst? That Bryan Ferry was “out of his league” to take on the hallowed Dylan? Or, conversely, that Dylan was unworthy of a take by Bryan Ferry?
I probably live too far away to know these things.
I never really rated Ferry so I was very dubious about his ability to bring off an album of cover versions. His “Hard rains gonna fall” from years back did not exactly fill me with confidence but he has done a good job, mostly, on the new album.
I don’t think that where you live has anything to do with it
Intresting Dubhs, and I think he did a good job of it. I always enjoy it when someone takes a known song and gives it a different turn if they do a good job of it. I was more drawn to the music in that recording, excellent arrangement, musically.
Wow…Dub…I never thought I’d see the day that there was a thread entitled “Dylan-ESQUE” started by you. It just seems so…I don’t know…blasphemous or something.
Another (IMHO) very interesting set of Dylan covers is Tim O’Brien’s “Red on Blonde” album. The best of Dylan’s material continues to inspire me, what, almost half a century later? Very little else holds up like that.
OK Dubh, you are obviously the person to ask. The only Dylan I own is a bit of old vinyl from the late sixties. What would you suggest I get to rediscover the man?
OMG this is beginning to sound like a “what whistle should I buy” post.
Tricky one that but my introduction to Dylan was his second album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan”. That got me hooked and the next one I heard was “Bringing it all back home”..that gave me an addiction.
Those two, along with “Planet Waves”, “Blood on the Tracks” and lets say “Desire” should be enough to get you started. There is a huge body of work, official and unofficial, out there so just start listening to whatever you can pick up. There have been several greatest hits packages over the past few years which are fine for what they are.
“Live at the Budokan” is another great album on which he reworks everything with a huge band…good crack.
"Nashville Skyline " is another very under rated album and get yourself a DVD copy of “Unplugged”..that’s another must have.
That’ll do for now..let me know how ye get on.
Slan,
D.
I’m reluctant to disagree with as serious as Dylan aficionado as D.–and “Blood on the Tracks” is a fine and very approachable album–but my faves remain “Highway 61 Revisited” and “John Wesley Harding,” which are oppositie sides–frantic/blues-driven/Beat-inspired on the one hand, and acoustic/countryish in sound and lyric influences on the other–of the same poetic/prophetic coin.
That said, I think the “No Direction Home” soundtrack double cd makes a good intro, and the film itself is not to be missed.
My suggestion: get The Times They Are A-Changin’, either Blonde On Blonde or Highway 61 Revisited, and Blood On the Tracks. After that, you’ll need all of them.
Two fine albums without question. I would be a shade reluctant to suggest them to a newcomer though. I’ve always felt that these are on the next level, so to speak.
I listen to his first five albums constantly and would recommend them all to anyone who asked. There is such passion in those recordings, so much conviction in his voice. I would agree that Desire was an excellent one for anyone to start on as well. Some very good music and lyrics there.
I heard a guy behind the counter of a record store the other day say something to the effect of “Dylan isn’t a good musician so much as a songwriter… his lyrics are good but the songs are all best when someone else is singing/playing them.” Poor misguided soul.
Aside: Generation gap? My now 83 year-old mother was thoroughly frightened by Bob Dylan’s thoughts and sounds…all those decades ago. I youthfully, and unsuccessfully tried to convince her of the potent “truths” his poetry carried.
These days, she calls George Bush “Honest Abe.” You do the math…
