Salami

Just written a quick review of this album, but I'll add to this thread too --

I really enjoyed this album, and I'm one of a few people I know who think Dylan's work is getting better and better! One thing I didn't mention my review is that I think there's been an incredible progression in Bob Dylan's words over the course of nearly fifty years, if we look at for instance, "Tombstone Blues" from Highway 61 Revisited, we encounter words like "where Ma Rainey and Beethoven once unwrapped their bedroll, tuba players now rehearse around the flagpole, and the national bank at a profit sells road-maps for the soul, to the old folk's home, and the college!"
We see confusion, frustration and sometimes the words are surreal (don't get me wrong, I love every word), but then in his later albums, he is becoming increasingly worldly wise, and we hear instead "In this worldly domain, full of disappointment and pain, you'll never see me frown".

TboneFrank

I know what you mean. The last 15 years have been stellar. Four of his last six albums (including Tempest) are in my Favorite Dylan Dozen now. Those four albums have now squeezed out every album before Bringing It All Back Home from my list. Freewheelin' being the last casualty.

These are my Favorite Dylan Dozen

01. Blonde On Blonde
02. Blood On The Tracks
03. Time Out Of Mind
04. Highway 61 Revisited
05. Bringing It All Back Home
06. Desire
07. John Wesley Harding
08. Love and Theft
09. Oh Mercy
10. Tempest
11. Infidels
12. Modern Times

I only listened to Tempest half a dozen times so time will tell if it moves up or down. I'll have to listen to Infidels, Modern Times and Freewheelin' again to make sure Tempest belongs where I put it.

Where does Tempest stand with you guys? Does it make your Favorite Dylan Dozen?

Cinnamonics

Sadly, no. It's at number 13 or 14, I would say. That still it means it's pretty high up, though.

TboneFrank

Yeah...good to hear its a decent Dylan album for ya. On my first listening I was thinking middle of the road for the album. Went from 3 to 5 stars on just a few more spins before I read any reviews or fellow fan opinions. I've always listened to Dylan albums cold. I probably also weigh Dylan albums one par up from most Dylan fans because of how young I was when I got into him (12 years old) and because in the 38 years since, I've anticipated every album and every tour. Well...every tour since '05 which was my last show. Hope to get to see him next time around just for ol' timers sake.