Trouble No More: The Bootleg Series Vol.13 / 1979-1981

Well, well, well, the Bobster has gone and done it again, he has re-visited one of the most reviled periods of his career (as he did with Vol 10) and shown us that perhaps the criticism that was meted out back in the late '70's and early 80's was undeserved. This of course is the period when he announced that he was a born again Christian and the three albums he produced over this period, Slow Train Coming, Saved and Shot of Love, reflected that conversion. Now because of the criticism I had avoided these albums, I remember as a young rock fan new to the delights of rock music, Sounds giving Saved a one star review and that stuck with me for many years. When this collection was announced a couple of months ago I thought 'WHAT!!!???!!', but then I remembered what had happened with Vol 10 of this excellent series when he revisited his Self Portrait, New Morning period that also came in for great criticism and that volume made so many have to re-think their criticism. Would this have the same effect? Now I'm not a follower of any organised religion, I don't attend church (or chapel here in Wales) except for the odd wedding or funeral, but although I'm not religious that does not mean I do not appreciate many great artistic works that are influenced by religion. I enjoy listening to Handel's Messiah and Bach's Mass in B Minor, I appreciate the beauty of many great paintings that are influenced by religious themes and I enjoy the odd bit of gospel music and this is what we have here, some excellent gospel music sung by Bob Dylan and performed by one of his best touring bands. I've seen Bob Dylan live on a few occasions and let's face he can be a pretty sloppy performer at times, his vocal delivery in particular can grate and give the impression he doesn't care. One of the things that stands out on this particular set of recordings is the passion in his vocal delivery, it's clear he's loving performing these songs, they really are coming from the heart. Added to that the backing band are top notch with five backing singers and two keyboard players to give it that real gospel feel, they really do deliver, the version of Shot of Love in this set is delivered with such passion I nearly did a Jake Blues and flip flopped down the kitchen and hallway with joy and shout Hallelujah!!, nearly but not quite. We also get the opportunity to hear how Dylan is constantly re-working his music, a few of the songs on this set are repeated to show how they evolved over a short space of time. Compare the version of Slow Train that opens disc 1 with the version from two years later that opens disc 2. The first version is closer to the studio version, whilst the later version there is more chugging feel from the backing band, both are wonderful to listen to and go to show why when he's on form Dylan can be such a mesmerising, but at times frustrating, live performer. I have of course gone for the cheap 2 disc version, my pockets are not deep enough to afford the all singing box set, but as with with Vol 10 this has been a really pleasant surprise, and I'm quite taken with it. It won't be to everyone's taste, some may find the religious message in the songs is still too much, all I would say to those people is give this a chance, so much of the criticism that was aimed at this period was down to the shock of Dylan's conversion. Time is a healer and now we can approach these songs with a far more open mind that perhaps we could 38 years ago. Check it out there really are some delights here.

This Dylan period 1979-1981 is possibly one of the most contentious and controversial of Dylan's career when he found Jesus and in the process alienated much of his fanbase. As a long time 'dylan ' fan AND a christian, this era shouldn't have been a problem, but while I applauded Bob's courage in putting his faith in the public arena, musically, I couldn't really warm to these albums, when compared against previous classics such as 'Street Legal,' Blood on the tracks' and 'Desire' although there were some potential classic songs in 'precious angel' and 'Every Grain of sand.' Hearing these songs live made me realise that it wasn't the songs, it was the sometimes sterile sound of the 'gospel' studio albums. Bob has one of the best bands of his career (possibly rivalling 'The band' and 'Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.') with Fred Tackett on guitar, Jim Keltner on drums and Tim Drummond on bass, with a quartet of female gospel style backing vocalists and piano and organ, it really kicks these songs into new life, and conveys the passion and commitment of Dylan's faith and his music in a way which the studio albums never could. Two versions of 'slow Train COMING, both very different as they evolve on stage over the 2 year period. Also far superior versions of Every grain.... Shot of love, saving Grace as well as 3 previously unreleased tracks of top quality. So, whatever your state of faith, there is much great music to be found in this excellent live document.

If you're looking for a typical Bob Dylan live album, skip past this one immediately (although see further down my review). This is a specialist live album, focusing on his Christian music period and therefore without all his well known songs. I must admit that this is a period that I've overlooked. The time just before - from Blood On The Tracks through Desire and to Street Legal is problem my favourite period of his, partly because it marks my coming of age into rock music. I heard Slow Training Coming a few times when it was released but I hadn't bothered tracking down copies of his other two Christian albums, Saved and Shot Of Love. This means these songs are either unfamiliar to me or totally new so I can't comment on how much the arrangements have changed in the live setting although that is one of the factors that makes Dylan such a compelling live artist. I'm enjoying it and I'm glad it has been released because it fills a gap in my music collection. This two CD version is enough for me. There are longer, more expensive versions but, to consider buying those, I feel you need to be particularly keen on this period or a Dylan completist. I'm not sure how often I'm going to play it once the newness has worn off, partly because it's not going to be top of the list when I think to myself that I want to hear a Dylan live album. On my blog, I have a readers poll for people to vote for their favourite live Dylan albums and, to date, 126 people have cast their votes. The top five albums are: 1 Live 1966 The "Royal Albert Hall" concert 2 Live 1975 The Rolling Thunder Revue 3 Before The Flood 4 Bob Dylan At Budokan 5 Hard Rain Personally, I'd point you towards albums 2 and 4 if you're looking for a summary of his 1960s and 70s work.

I had the privilege to see Dylan perform during this tour, in 1981 towards the end, after he had returned his "hits" and secular songs to the set list. At the time I owned only two Dylan albums, Blood on the Tracks and Before the Flood, and I was marginally aware of his Christian conversion. What I saw was a dynamic show, full of energy for both the new songs (none of which I recognized) and the old chestnuts. I didn't hear a Christian gospel show. I have a clear memory of an incendiary Like A Rolling Stone. You should download this track from the Deluxe Edition just to hear it performed with gospel backup singers. Later in life when I returned to my Christian faith, I purchased Dylan's Christian albums because mainstream Christian praise and worship music just didn't interest me. They are my favorite Christian rock albums. When I heard plans to release performances from this period, I was elated. But I opted for the two disc set and plan to download select cuts from the Deluxe Edition. I'll skip the analysis of this period of Dylan's career. You'll find well-written essays in the booklet that accompany this set, and you can make up your own mind. The performances on this set are a revelation. Dylan sings with a conviction and emotional depth that is sometimes lacking from his other live recorded performances. The band is tight and delivers great grooves and amazing solos when needed. The back-up singers are brilliant and the piano and organ are amazing. The recording quality is equally amazing. The levels are clear and even. At times it sounds like a live in the studio performance. It's that good. I do notice a slight difference in mix between tracks of different origin, but it is slight. Some reviewers here may review the content rather than the performances. That is a mistake. One of the essays in the booklet is written by an avowed atheist and Dylan devotee who writes about his second thoughts concerning the music from this period of Dylan's career and his regret that he skipped seeing Dylan perform these songs live. You should not make the same mistake, and listen to this. Dylan has made a career of confronting what you believe, especially about yourself. Don't miss this.

Época conflictiva del genio, musicalmente un cañón. Muy recomendable. El vinilo es de alta calidad y la presentación acorde con el precio. El servicio de Amazon, perfecto en tiempo y forma.

SUPER MERCI

Para quem gosta de Bob Dylan

If you are any kind of Dylan fan, invest in your future and buy this collection. Even if you don't like his so-called "Christian" records or are a devout Satanist and "can't relate to the cross." Even if you only like Blowing in the Wind and Like A Rolling Stone. Eventually, it will hit you. This might sit on your shelf for months or even years but one day...one day, you'll put it on and it will all unlock for you. His Bobness. The badass band. The back up singers. Dylan's instincts are never wrong.