Bob Dylan: Together Through Life
Editorial
Bob Dylan just does not quit. He's the T-1000 (the android in Terminator 2) of folk-rock, except that instead of being made of an advanced mimetic poly-alloy he's made of rusted-out harmonicas and vinyl, can't run very fast, is even more vague and harder to understand and he can't even remember his own lyrics and guitar parts, much less how to fly a helicopter. Let's just hope that they don't do a really terrible remake where Christian Bale plays Bob Dylan and has to scream abuse at a lighting technician for six minutes before playing a controversial electric version of Knocking on Heaven's Door.
Mercifully Together Through Life isn't a facile duets album, as the title threatens. It's actually a brand new record, and Mr Dylan proves that his old bones can still swing. Beyond Here Lies Nothin' kicks the album off, a blues number with a growled-out vocal that you'd associate with Tom Waits before Dylan. This sets the tone for the rest of the record, and it's an incredibly consistent one. Together Through Life is delta blues throughout, with the same gravelly vocal style, and embroidered with piano-accordion by Los Lobos's David Hidalgo. This touch proves decisive; the distinctive squeezebox sound providing melancholy melodic support on slower tracks and a festive lick of energy whenever the boss goes upbeat. It's All Good is the best example of these danceable numbers, and a great way to close the record out.
The best part is that none of it sounds like Bob Dylan trying to be Bob Dylan. It could be a band you stumbled across in a Mississippi roadhouse. But being Dylan, there's always enough intelligence and humour to make repeat listens worthwhile. Here's a record you can play at your poker games and whisky-drinking sessions for a long time to come.
Tracks
1. Beyond Here Lies Nothin'
2. Life Is Hard
3. My Wife's Home Town
4. If You Ever Go to Houston
5. Forgetful Heart
6. Jolene
7. This Dream of You
8. Shake Shake Mama
9. I Feel a Change Comin' On
10. It's All Good
Geoff Lemon, June 2009
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