We'll Meet Again On The Avenue

The trawl through the Bob Dylan section of the shelf concludes with Blood On The Tracks. I've made clear my admiration of Dylan but I'm not that much of an obssesive to need any of the more recent output, even though that includes plenty of good stuff alongside much treading of water. I'll keep in touch with the man through his quirky radio show and any follow up to the first volume of his selective biography. Blood On The Tracks was a huge return to form on its' release and is a strong contender for best ever album, certainly in the top five. The voice has darkened slightly, a process that has continued markedly down the years, but it is still recognisably that of the early Dylan. Not so much of a band album as Blonde On Blonde or Highway 61, the Nashville musos employed still do a fine job in providing understated but highly appropriate backing, notably on the bluesy Meet Me In The Morning and providing that incredible onward drive to the epic tale of Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts. Why nobody has made a movie from this narrative is beyond me, the song is so visual. It is the standout track on the disc, closely followed by Tangled Up In Blue and Shelter from The Storm. Idiot Wind is another major example of Dylan during this period and even what may seem throwaway songs like You're Gonna Make Me Lonseome When You Go and Buckets Of Rain have fresh and vibrant country and blues feels respectively. Thanks for the body of work Bob.