How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
One of Dylans Best Albums, packed with songs from the heart .
Disadvantages:
You may not like Dylans voice ! Its an aquired taste !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Anyone reading this, who has read previous music reviews that I have written, will begin to realise that I tend to favour singer/songwriters in the country/ folk/ pop/rock genre. I like music/songs that have something to say. A ballad written with a broken heart, or lyrics showcasing an outpouring of anger or strong opinions, can create a very powerful statement, in a positive way, which people will relate to for many years.
Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman) was born on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. He is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author and poet whose career has spanned over 40 years. His early songs are known by millions and have had many cover versions, probably the most well known being 'Blowing in the wind' 'The times they are a-changing' 'All along the watchtower' and 'A hard rain's a-gonna fall'. Some of these became anthems for anti-war and civil rights movements. Dylan married Sara Lownds on November 22 1965, they had four children together Jesse, Anna, Samuel, and Jakob. Dylan also adopted Sara Lownds' first daughter Maria Lownds from a previous marriage.
I would never say that Bob Dylan has a good singing voice, but the rawness of his tone is his unique way of conveying the things he has to say, and I for one like it, it suits the simplicity of his songs.
In 1974 Dylan and his band 'The Band' played a coast to coast tour of North America. It was well documented, but Dylan refused to allow a tour film to be produced, this may be because it was at a time of marital problems. On his return, Dylan and his wife of 10 years separated, giving way to the pain and heartache that flowed into his small notebook, and from there into the songs produced for this album 'Blood On The Tracks', which was recorded in September 1974. The album didn't get released until early 1975 though, as Dylan re-recorded half of the songs to cover some of the raw wounds that were so painfully displayed in the lyrics.The album was a commercial success; fans loved it and is thought to be one of his finest albums. The songs are some of his most intimate and direct. A step away from the teen angst he once projected.
I first bought the vinyl album many years ago, and loved it. When updating to CDs this was one of the first I replaced. It is a bestseller in the 'Nice Price' range from Sony Music. I personally place this album high in my list of favourites.
THE TRACKS:
"TANGLED UP IN BLUE" - 5:40
Jangling guitars, and the raspy voice of Bob singing about a drifter passing through peoples lives, at times reflecting on the past. Dylan is said to have wanted the song to be like the cubist paintings he had studied, viewed in different parts or as a complete song, defying time and space. The words to this song have been recorded, sung and printed with many variations of lyrics, even at times being sung in the third person.
"She was married when we first met - soon to be divorced, I helped her out of a jam, I guess, but I used a little too much force We drove that car as far as we could - abandoned it out west, Split up on a dark, sad night, both agreeing it was best"
"SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE" - 4:18
A gentle, painful, song about a one night stand, and the loneliness it leaves the following day.
"He woke up, the room was bare, he didn't see her anywhere, he told himself he didn't care, pushed the window open wide, Felt an emptiness inside to which he just could not relate, brought on by a simple twist of fate."
"YOU'RE A BIG GIRL NOW" - 4:36
A lovely ballad, sung gently (for Bob!) and exposing lots of very sensitive feelings, you get the feeling that it was written with a soul full of sadness, appreciating all that is lost and trying to get it back when it's too late. The harmonica comes out at the end to add to the effect.
"Bird on the horizon, sittin' on a fence, He's singin' his song for me at his own expense. And I'm just like that bird, oh, oh, Singin' just for you. I hope that you can hear, Hear me singin' through these tears."
"IDIOT WIND" - 7:54
An angry attack on a woman who could be anyone, or women in general! In places Dylan looks back in time, and he repeats the words, "You're an idiot babe" throughout the song.
"Idiot wind, blowing through the buttons of our coats, blowing through the letters that we wrote. Idiot wind, blowing through the dust upon our shelves, we're idiots, babe. It's a wonder we can even feed ourselves."
"YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME LONESOME WHEN YOU GO" - 2:55
This reminds me of earlier Dylan, the guitar and harmonica being played for all its worth, the cheerful tune and lots of nice rhyming lyrics about finding and then losing love.
"I've seen love go by my door, It's never been this close before, Never been so easy or so slow. Been shooting in the dark too long, When something's not right it's wrong, you're gonna make me lonesome when you go."
"MEET ME IN THE MORNING" - 4:19
If there is a track that does not capture me with its instant appeal, it is this one, with its strange words and off tune 'twangs' like a good spaghetti western! All American and very 'bluesy' (is that a word?) it is a slow complaining wail, and not really my cup of tea!
"LILY, ROSEMARY AND THE JACK OF HEARTS" - 8:50
This is one of my favourite tracks, a very long story-song which had two screenplays written for it, although neither were made into a film. The story is st in an old western bar room, thes sort you see in many old weserns with the swing doors. You can imagine the dust, the noise and the old piano sitting there waiting to be played. The characters in the song and many of the lyrics are referred to in terms connected with playing cards, the stranger arriving is the Jack of Hearts, Rosemary and Lily (possibly mother and daughter) are likened to Queen and Princess, Big Jim is the King. If you play cards you will probably pick up on many other examples. Big Jim owns the only diamond mine, Jack is a villain (the popular bad boy maybe like Johnny Depp in the 'Pirates' films) who is conducting his thieving undercover of romancing the ladies. In the story is a hanging judge, so give it a listen if you want to know what happens! I love the speed of the storytelling, the build up of the tempo, and the lyrics greatly appeal to me!
"It was known all around that Lily had Jim's ring And nothing would ever come between Lily and the king. No, nothin' ever would except maybe the Jack of Hearts."
"IF YOU SEE HER, SAY HELLO" - 4:46
Another gentle song, sung in a reflective way to a third person, about wanting to know how the lady that left is getting on, but not wanting to appear too desperate for news.
"If you get close to her, kiss her once for me, I always have respected her for busting out and getting' free Oh, whatever makes her happy, I won't stand in the way, Though the bitter taste still lingers on from the night I tried to make her stay."
"SHELTER FROM THE STORM" - 4:59
Another gentle song with plenty of guitar jangling, and a rather confusing story that needs a few listens to get to grips with what Dylan is saying.
"Now there's a wall between us, something there's been lost,I took too much for granted, got my signals crossed. Just to think that it all began on a long-forgotten morn. Come in she said I'll give you shelter from the storm"
"BUCKETS OF RAIN" - 3:29
This song was included on the 'Wonder Boys' Soundtrack, which was released in 2000. Dylan also sang this song in a recording with Bette Midler on her 1976 album Songs for the New Depression. Dylan is singing to his love, telling her how she makes him feel.
"Like your smile, and your fingertips, like the way that you move your lips. I like the cool way you look at me, everything about you is bringing me Misery."
OTHERINFORMATION:
1975 Sony Music Entertainment Inc./ "Columbia"
The rear of this CD has the same painting by David Oppenheim as my original album, with JUST the titles of tracks listed. Apparantly, the first couple of rear covers had all the incorrect musicians listed, since so much was re-written and re-recorded, and a much smaller painting by Oppenheim was displayed. Things like this don't seem to have bothered Dylan in the least, he is just about getting his message across. My CD has absolutely no record of who played on the recordings. There is no booklet accompanying the CD except a list of other titles, many by other artists, in the 'Nice Price' bestsellers catalogue.
'Blood on the Tracks' was named the 11th greatest album of all time in a 'Music of the Millennium' poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, The Guardian and Classic FM. In 1998 Q magazine readers placed it at number 45. It was number 16 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".
I am pleased to have written this review, as it gave me an opportunity to hear again the songs on this CD. I remain firm in my praise for this album. It has lost nothing over the years, and I will be listening to it again (without the stopping and starting) very soon.
It can be bought at Amazon for under £5.00 ot Tesco Online for £7.74 I think it is excellent value, but then I appreciate Dylans songs!
the Tracks," and with good reason. Inspired by a crumbled marriage, and recorded after a tour with The Band had apparently re-ignited his creativity, Blood is ...
the Tracks," and with good reason. Inspired by a crumbled marriage, and recorded after a tour with The Band had apparently re-ignited his creativity, Blood is ...
Blood on the Tracks -
Inevitably, when critics praise a new Dylan album, they label it the "best sinceBlood on
... more
the Tracks," and with good reason. Inspired by a crumbled marriage, and recorded after a tour with The Band had apparently re-ignited his creativity,Bloodis amo...
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helpful![Bob Dylan - Changing Tracks [2008]](http://picnic.ciao.com/uk/65488577.jpg)
