In his new album released last month Bob Dylan returns to his roots, covering classic American tunes.
Dylan’s 37th studio album Fallen Angels covers classic American songs like “It had to be you,” and “Young at Heart.” The new album is a follow up to his 2015 cover album Strangers in the Night. Most notably known for Dylan’s interpretation of “That Lucky old Sun,” which in my opinion has as much power and feeling in it as Ray Charles’ approach to the song.
As Dylan could be considered the greatest living lyricist, it’s understandable that some Dylan fans are upset to see the release of two consecutive cover albums.
I’ll agree it would be great to hear some original songs from a man whose lyrics helped shape the
culture of multiple generations, but listening to the new album I think Dylan fans can appreciate what to me sounds like the raspy reflections of an old musician who began his career bumming around New York City singing covers.
Fallen Angels has a very mellow sound, the kind of album one might put on after a long day’s work and enjoy with a glass of wine. Most of the songs on the album are covers of songs performed traditionally by big band musicians.
Comparing Dylan’s style on the album to other musicians I would say it sounds like Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra met in a dive bar and did a quick set with the house band. Now, don’t get over excited. Dylan’s album is by no means as epic as Sinatra and Armstrong singing together in a dive bar would be, but their combined sound with support from a small band would sound similar to Dylan’s new album.
As far as Bob Dylan albums go Fallen Angels is no Blood on the Tracks, but it was never meant to be. For what it is, it’s a really good album that in many ways shows the early influences of a music legend.
This article appears in Jun 9-15, 2016.
BFD
Returning to his roots? Dylan’s roots were in Woody Guthrie and old American folk music, not Tin Pan Alley. His roots were in a new kind of “protest” music, brilliant poetry like Hard Rain written in response to the Cuban missile crisis, like Blowin’ in the Wind, Chimes of Freedom, Hattie Carroll, and much later, like Everything is Broken. He released a pop album in his early career and it flopped, so all I can figure is he owes the record company some albums and isn’t writing much any more so back to the wannabe crooner he never was and never will be.
The negative comments are hilarious. People appreciate Dylan because he’s unique, he broke new ground in music, and he doesn’t spill his guts regarding his personal life to the public (which is incredibly smart). He experimented and tried different styles of music during his career. The music in his live concerts isn’t an exact replica of the albums/CD’s and makes the concerts interesting for the Dylan and his band plus his fans.
So Dylan keeps challenging himself and his band and people are pissed that he has a second “covers’ album! He’s covering songs he likes like they haven’t been covered before. But some “fans” will bitch and moan. Hilarious.
Regarding releasing a “pop” album. Dylan’s albums run the gamut. Based on his career it doesn’t appear that he ever purposely released a pop album. Regarding music Dylan likes, do people really think it’s just old American folk music? Dylan has vocally expressed interest in rap artists, blues, folk, rock, jazz, etc. Solely labeling a person’s musical tastes based on their early style of music ridiculous
Wow! I post a comment which says “BFD”, which of course, means Bob “Fucking” Dylan.
All the haters get in a rage and start hitting the dislike button as if that feature is gonna disappear, not even considering what “BFD” could stand for, especially in this case.
Some people just WANT to jump to conclusions. I guess everyone assumed the worst, not even stopping to consider that I could be a bigger fan of Dylan than they ever could aspire to be.
(Chuckle) Okay, if you bothered to read this far, you got me. I’ve NEVER been a fan of Mr. Zimmerman. I’ve always felt that he is one of the MOST overrated musicians of all time. His guitar playing is beyond sloppy and his vocal talent is non-existent. I don’t understand his appeal and I’m sure that I never will.
The dude only has two redeeming qualities, none of which have anything to do with his musical “talent”. One of them is the fact that he introduced The Beatles to cannabis; after that happened, they went on to do some of the greatest songwriting of all time. The other is, and to this day I don’t get it, he was one of many major influences for my favourite guitarist; the almighty Jimi Hendrix. Jimi was not only influenced, but he is one of the few artists to take Bob’s songs and improve them. The examples I can remember are “All Along the Watchtower”, “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Drifter’s Escape”. He improved those songs like you wouldn’t believe; seek them out and listen to them if you doubt me.
Huge headline “Fallen Angles”! Really?! We’re they obtuse, right or something else, prior to their fall?
Dang. Yall need to respect a great artist with at least a modicum of proofread. Your headline? Smh
Don’t you think such an iconic artist deserves a modicum of respect enough to, at a minimum, proofread your blaring and bold headline?
Were they obtuse, right or something else prior to their fall? Dang guys. Step it up.