Various - Bob Dylan In The 80's: Volume One

  by Lisa Torem

published: 12 / 7 / 2014

Label: ATO Records
Format: CD

intro

Effective tribute album of songs from Bob Dylan's ignored 80's albums, which includes covers from Built to Spill, Craig Finn, Hannah Cohen, Dawn Landes and Bonnie Prince Billy

Produced by Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, The Low Anthem) and Sean O’Brien (Dawes, PAPA), ‘Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One’ was created in order to “shed new light on a cache of Bob Dylan songs that have long gone ignored…” Ironically, Lauter admits that this period of the celebrated troubadour’s life was “the lowest point of his commercial success even though he released eight studio albums” but this “off-rhythm period” fuelled their interest and strong belief in the material. The album consists of seventeen tracks, opening with ‘Got My Mind Made Up’ recorded by Langhorne Slim & The Law. Built to Spill follows with ‘Jokerman’. It’s Reggie Watts singing his husky heart out on ‘Brownsville Girl’ that really draws attention to the unique set. With his impeccable ear, he broadcasts the story set against sound bytes and synth; he really captivates and puts his own spin on a classic. Elvis Perkins, too, takes the task seriously, as he brings out the Dylan ire in the tragically truthful ‘Congratulations’, an acerbic tale about the bitter aftermath of rejection. This version conjures up the plaintive sweetness of Willie Nelson, as well. The conversational tone of Craig Finn’s ‘Sweetheart Like You’ makes for another stunner. And after hearing lyrics like, “What’s a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?” you’ll definitely re-experience the potent sting of Dylan’s thought-provoking legacy. Hannah Cohen’s embracing voice and honest delivery bring out every bittersweet nuance of ‘Covenant Woman,’ which is tastefully interpreted with gentle piano. Dawn Landes and Bonnie “Prince” Billy feature a raw acoustic rendering and tempting vocals on ‘Dark Eyes.’ ‘Series of Dreams’ covered by Yellowbirds is more high-tech but no less effective and, in fact, strongly and wildly inventive. Glen Hansard’s ‘Pressing On’ is meditative yet soulful and sombre, a wonderful canvas for a beautiful set of lyrics. The album ends with Carl Broemel’s version of ‘Death is Not The End,’ which ties it all together in a sort of sad, Woody Guthrie kind of way, getting back to the roots of one of America’s greatest writers at an unsung era of his life, which deserves to be lauded.

Track Listing:-

Label Links:-