Blonde on Blonde [Import] [Limited Edition]

Track Listings

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

2. Pledging My Time

3. Visions of Johanna

4. One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)

5. I Want You

6. Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again

7. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

8. Just Like a Woman

9. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

10. Temporary Like Achilles

11. Absolutely Sweet Marie

12. 4th Time Around

13. Obviously 5 Believers

14. Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Limited Edition Reissue of this Classic Album Presented in a Special Package featuring a CD with a Top Side that Resembles an Original LP Vinyl Album, but Don't Let the Looks Deceive You...it's A Fully Playable CD.

Tracks:

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Pledging My Time
Visions Of Johanna
One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)
I Want You
Stuck Inside Of A Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Just Like A Women
Most Likely You Go Your Way I'll Go Mine
Temporary Like Achilles
Absolutely Sweet Marie
4th Time Around
Obviously 5 Believers
Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands

Customer Reviews:

4th time around...still love it.......2007-07-03

This was my favorite Dylan album after "Oh Mercy" and before "Blood on the Tracks" was. I think "4th Time Around" or "Sooner or Later" are my favorites; but really all songs on hear are good. I will note though that I didn't like "Most Likely You'll go your way and I'll go Mine" at first but I love it now, and I don't really like Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat" much anymore.
Dylan Proves with this album that he is as relevant and fresh now as he was years ago. No Dylan fan should go without this, or any "Music fan" for that matter.

one bad long cut.......2007-06-27

blonde on blonde is along with bringing it all back home and highway 61 revisited dylans major claim to poetical genius. he never attained these wild heights again. sad eyed lady of the lowlands, which encompasses one whole side of a double cd, is a real downer and a flop. it goes on and on with no real great melody and platitudinous lyrics. dylan wrote it too fast in the chelsea hotel and it just doesn't work in any shape or form. aside from that, the whole cd is a work of a genius which really rocks. look out especially for visions of johanna and absolutely sweet marie which george harrison ripped into in dylan's 30th anniversary concert.

Can't go wrong.......2007-05-12

One of Bob Dylan's greatest albums. Can't go wrong with this purchase!

3.75 Stars- Brilliant, at times........2007-03-16

These days, just about any music critic worth their weight in subscription fees will tell you that Blonde on Blonde is the one, the only, the end-all be-all greatest album of Bob Dylan's career, and therefore one of the four or five greatest records ever made by anyone, anywhere. They point to songs such as "Visions of Johanna," "I Want You," and "Just Like A Woman" as proof of that, while reminding us that this is also Dylan's most "ambitious" album, making note of the fact that this was one of the first double LPs ever released. I take that practice as proof that you should never take those folks too seriously.

Don't get me wrong. Blonde on Blonde is by no means a bad album. In fact, thanks in part to the afformentioned three songs- especially "Visions of Johnna," which is easily one of the greatest songs of the Sixties- Blonde on Blonde really is a wonderful record. It has plenty of superb moments: "Pledging My Time" is an excellent blues number, with some of Zimmy's most wonderfully twisted lyrics. "One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)" is a fantastic ballad, drenched in swelling organs, ernest vocals, and a downright magestic chorus. "Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again" is a brilliant surrealist ramble in the vein of "Tombstone Blues," while "Most Likely You Go Your Way And I Go Mine" and "Absolutely Sweet Marie" are two of Bob's most underrated rockers.

Elsewhere, however, Blonde on Blonde is soaked in mediocrity; "Temporary Like Achilles" is a decent-at-best stab at slow-burning country. After the barrroom novelty of the music wears off, the song just drags and ambles its way past the five-minute mark. "Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat" contains a few decent blues licks (the guitars actually sound really good in this song), and some reasonably funny lyrics, (one of my favorites on the whole album is "I asked doctor if I could see you/ It's bad for your health he said/ Yes, I disobayed his/ I came to see you but I found him there instead") but is on the whole a pretty dull number, full of verses that go absoltely nowhere and bogged down by a cliched song structure. "Obviously 5 Believers" is a bland, boring rocker. "Fourth Time Around" is Bob's practical joke on John Lennon (the similarity to "Norwegian Wood" are entirely intentional), and although it's a fairly good comedic folk ballad, it's got nothing on its Fab Four counterpart. "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35," one of the most beloved tracks on this album, has never really done anything for me- sure, it's a fun song, but not more so than anything else that Dylan has recorded, or even more so than anything else on this album ("Absolutely Sweet Marie" and "Most Likely..." are blasts). Plus, the lyrics are terrible- Bob basically just repeats variations on one joke that isn't even funny the first time, culminating in insufferabl refrains of "everybody must get stoned!" "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" could have been a wonderful song if it wasn't so darn long and monotonous- which is a pity, considering that Bob is usually great at writing lengthy songs that hold your interests all the way through.

Certainly, Blonde on Blonde is an ambitious album. Dylan's lyrics are miles and miles away from the typical boy-meets-girl fare that populated the pop radio stations of the time. Musically, it takes the experimentation of Bringing it All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited a few thousand steps further- Bob seamlessly combines folk, blues, country, and rock 'n' roll, often in the course of one song. Plus, Blonde on Blonde was one of the first double LPs ever released (alongside Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention's debut, Freak Out!), which shows that people were beginning to think of albums as complete artistic statements rather than just a collection of one or two singles and a bunch of filler. As such, Blonde on Blonde is an incredibly important moment in the evolution of rock, and its influence can still be felt today. However, influence and importance do not make a great album- that takes great music, and Blonde on Blonde only meets half of its quota.

Still, the best tunes here truly are masterpieces- most artists would be so lucky to just write a song half as good as "I Want You" once in the course of their careers. And because of that, anyone who cares about rock and roll (especially Dylan fans) should not be without Blonde on Blonde. However, don't expect the greatest thing ever recorded. Highway 61 Revisited and Blood on the Tracks are better candidates for that.

A Masterpiece.......2007-03-08

Did a previous reviewer actually spend all that time talking about Dylan's voice? Is there a person on the planet who doesn't already know Dylan's voice isn't "good"? I don't think saying it's "an acquired taste" is being an apologist, it's the truth.

There's not a weak track on this album, and even if you aren't listening intently to the lyrics and the melodies, it'll still run you through the gamut of human emotions and leave you ready to go through it all again.

Average customer rating:

Great album but you haven't heard it till you heard in mono.
A perfect starting point.
Double Albums (Even from the Best) Ought To Be Banned
They'll Stone Ya If Ya Don't Like This Release!
made me appreciate bob dylan

Blonde on Blonde
Bob Dylan
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Highway 61 Revisited
Blood on the Tracks
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bringing It All Back Home
The Times They Are A-Changin'

ASIN: B0000C8AVU
Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Pledging My Time
Visions of Johanna
One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
I Want You
Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Just Like a Woman
Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine
Temporary Like Achilles
Absolutely Sweet Marie
4th Time Around
Obviously 5 Believers
Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

Amazon.com essential recording

Considered an unprecedented magnum opus when it arrived on two records in May of 1966 (1997's Time out of Mind is actually only about a minute shorter), Blonde on Blonde featured Dylan continuing to demonstrate remarkable powers over the course of 14 new numbers. Working in Nashville with session men and a few conscripted recruits (Al Kooper, Robbie Robertson), Dylan continued to bend minds with his warped lyrics and phrasing. Even dashed-off numbers such as "Obviously 5 Believers" and "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" contribute to the crazed, fun-house ambiance. Dylan will never be this wild again. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Great album but you haven't heard it till you heard in mono........2007-06-15

Anything great you can say about this release has already been said so I am going to tackle the audio. I own a vinyl "mono" copy of this album, which was originally mixed under his Bobness' supervision back in 66. A house engineer at Columbia in New York mixed the stereo version. So the mono version is more what Bob intended the record to sound like since then not everybody had stereo players and AM radio was still the king on the block. Now we flash forward to today and the album has been re-mastered for SACD and remixed for SACD surround, which is puzzling to me since the album was recorded at Columbia's Nashville studio on a 3 track machine. How much "immersion" you would get is minimal. Maybe you will hear a little more room ambience but that's about it. The stereo SACD is pretty good but a tad bass heavy. If you have to be state of the art you can't go wrong with these re-issues but if you really want to hear `Blonde On Blonde" or any other of Dylan's albums from the 60's hunt down the Sundazed mono vinyl re-issues. They are taken from the original mono masters which have seen less abuse then the stereo versions so the audio is punchier and more in your face.

A perfect starting point........2007-03-15

I have been listening to dylan for 30 years.He has had good and bad albums throughout his brilliant carrer.One thing to remember about Dylan is that first and foremost he is a poet wraped in a storyteller.My wife hated him because all she ever heard was the same ten songs the radio plays for thirty years of her life.Once she was exposed to his finer works,she was hooked.Granted,he's probably not for everyone but if you realy "listen" to what he plays you will develop a deep understanding and appreciation for all that is Bob Dylan.I would have to say that blood on the tracks is in my opinion his best but this album is a close second and a perfect starting point for"newcomers" to his music.

Double Albums (Even from the Best) Ought To Be Banned .......2007-01-31

OK, this is unbelievably good music. Not Dylan's best, but close to his best. John Wesley Harding remains my favorite. (I never quite understood why Blood on the Tracks often comes up as Dylan's best: taste and lack of musical knowledge, I guess)

Disc 1 is fantastic. 'Stuck Inside of Mobile' could possibly be Dylan's best song. 'Visions of Johanna' is incredibly stylish and cool: Dylan was in some other planet when he recorded this song? 'One of us must know' keeps growing on you and has to be the most listenable song. Memorable lines, great music, and that voice at its best!

Please throw away Disc 2.

This reminds me of that other great double (triple?) disc: Sandinista by Clash. The only difference is that with Dylan, most of the weak efforts seem to be in Disc 2. With Clash, one would have to do a cut-and-paste with more cutting than pasting, and, voila, there would be one of the greatest albums of the last century!

They'll Stone Ya If Ya Don't Like This Release!.......2007-01-29

Then they'll stone ya 'til ya get down on your knees
They'll stone ya 'til yer beggin' for forgiveness
They'll stone ya then they'll beat your head with switches.

I kept hearing how great Blonde on Blonde is supposed to be. I love Highway 61 Revisited but this... when I purchased it I tried playing it over and over and over again. I kept wondering "when am I going to finally get it?" "why don't I get this?" Sometimes it takes a while for something to sink in. I give up. Finally I must say it. I don't understand what all the fuss is about. I was alive and listening when this stuff first came out and it's ok stuff. I like Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat quite a lot because it's good fun, but the rest of it I can pretty much take it or leave it. Really. Stuck Inside of Mobile has the goofiest lyrics I've ever heard sung over a progression that just plays over and over and over except for the occasional "ah mama could this really be the end?" I wish it could be, but no, there's another verse. Sorry "Well the rag man..." And maybe goofey was the point and I missed it? "Be discovered beneath a truck"? really now.

Sorry Dylan fans, I know this is very shallow of me. You're probably wanting to "stone me" What can I say? I love Subterrainian Homesick Blues, Highway 61 and Time Out of Mind. Four stars because it's Dylan but really, I can do without this one. Ah mama!

Maybe I'll pull it out and try again next year. I'm going back to my Miles Davis records now.

made me appreciate bob dylan.......2006-11-20

before this i just had the best of bob dylan and hardly ever listened to it, but i was in best buy and saw this cd and decided to take a chance, glad i took that chance, this cd is classic from beginning to end and i reccomend it to all music lovers

Average customer rating:

Pinnacle Achievement for "The Bard of Hibbing"
Songs that Paint Pictures on the Inside of Your Eyeballs
Without question one of the greatest albums of the rock era
Very Long, but Not Long Enough, My Favorite Dylan Record
I Need More Stars for Blonde on Blonde

Blonde on Blonde
Bob Dylan
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Highway 61 Revisited
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Blood on the Tracks
Bringing It All Back Home
The Times They Are A-Changin'

ASIN: B0000024OG
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Rainy Day Women #12 And 35
Pledging My Time
Visions Of Johanna
One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)
I Want You
Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Ag..
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Just Like A Woman
Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine
Temporary Like Achilles
Absolutely Sweet Marie
4th Time Around
Obviously 5 Believers
Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands

Amazon.com essential recording

Customer Reviews:

Pinnacle Achievement for "The Bard of Hibbing".......2007-01-16

Those who believe Dylan's title as "The Bard of Hibbing" is an exaggeration most likely haven't ever listened to 'Blonde on Blonde,' his finest achievement ever. Remarkably, he delivers a double-c.d.'s worth of hypnotic, propelling music with fluid lyrics that are filled with wit and magnificent imagery. The album gives the greatest folk-rock delivery, but is varied enough to draw from country, blues, and cajun jazz. Topically, they are mostly about love that's gone sour, but there are also love songs stunning in their devotion.

"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35," gets the album started with perhaps the least remarkable song. While perennial commentary has focused on drug use, the song cleverly is really about, well,...rainy day women. The music recalls Bourbon Street in New Orleans and contains the refrain, "Everybody must get stoned," as in stoned drunk after bad relationships. Of course, Dylan is clever enough to bring more than one meaning to most of his songs. 'Blood on the Tracks' can also be detected on even better songs, like the masterful "Temporary Like Achilles," and the aching longing of "Visions of Johanna". While these songs are imploding at the seams with intricate and quiet passion, other songs deliver more deliberately. "Stuck Inside a Mobile (with the Memphis Blue Again)" and "Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat" are simply great fun, overflowing in indelible imagery and rich stories. "Obviously Five Believers" and "Absolutely Sweet Marie" raise the bar even further. These two songs are frenetic and mesmerizing, showcasing a phrasing simply not found elsewhere. The latter song is a masterpiece. Crescendoing into a frenzy by his able band, Dylan sings with great finesse a surreal nightmare version of 'Romeo and Juliet' as only an alchemist like he can do and with enough originality to transcend the task. But, wisely, even Dylan has the sense not to dwell too long on bitterness in courtship. "I Want You" demonstrates that his vocal style is accessible enough on this effort to broaden his appeal. (The song was one of two top ten hits from this album, afterall.) Next, his tenderness and devotion are well represented by the classic, "Just Like a Woman" and the langourous and brilliant closer "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands". All of the rest of the songs deserve mention, but they represent the ebb and flow of brilliance that make this c.d. a classic with nothing close to being extraneous. The highlights should underscore what the allegedly lesser songs do as well. If you never experience a Dylan album again, at least start or end here.

Songs that Paint Pictures on the Inside of Your Eyeballs.......2006-08-27

Without question one of the greatest albums of the rock era.......2006-06-28

The amazing thing about BLONDE ON BLONDE is that the worst thing you can say about it is that while it is easily one of the ten greatest albums of the rock era, it is possibly only his second best album. The eternal debate: HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED versus BLONDE ON BLONDE. Dylan fans almost always prefer one or the other, but it is in the end a not very important debate: all Dylan fans agree that both are masterpieces of the highest order.

I realized that I was not a genius while listening to this album. Let's face it: many of us, if we were to devote our lives to songwriting, could probably write songs as good as many performers. But the second I heard a line from "Visions of Johanna," I knew that Dylan was a genius and I was not. In the second verse (the entire first verse, by the way, is as good a verse as anyone has written) he sings:

The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face

Now, I know for a fact that if given a hundred years I could never come up with a line that striking and unexpected. Apart from Dylan I'm not sure who could. Leonard Cohen can sometimes match Dylan for lyric brilliance, so perhaps him, but possibly no one else.

In the debate between Dylan fans about which of the two main candidates is Dylan's supreme masterpiece I tend to go with HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED. I have a few reasons for preferring it. First, its historical importance. There is a near universal consensus that "Like a Rolling Stone" is the greatest single in the history of rock. You could almost divide the history of rock and indeed of popular music as pre- and post-"Like a Rolling Stone." The lyrical content of songs was relatively unimportant before this song. Afterwards it was crucial. The song rippled through the entire musical community, causing songwriters as diverse as Lennon and McCartney, Jagger and Richards, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Pete Townshend, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, and a host of others to rethink their approach to songwriting. Almost overnight rock and roll took on a new depth it didn't previously possess. No other song of the past fifty years had such an impact. And this song is included on HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED. Furthermore the album contained several other songs of the highest order, including "Ballad of a Thin Man," "Highway 61 Revisited," and "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues," and this is before the album raps up with the astonishing "Desolation Row." There is not a single weak cut on the disc while at least five songs are exceptional by any standard. I don't think BLONDE ON BLONDE quite matches it on the musical level and it certainly did not have the impact on music as a whole that the earlier album did.

Nonetheless, BLONDE ON BLONDE was and is a stupendous achievement. If it isn't quite as consistently superb as HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED, it amazes by its sheer length. And though it does not possess as many musical highpoints, there are at least three or four songs as good as Dylan ever wrote. The album as a whole was as diverse as any he would ever record, with songs popping up written in a variety of modes. It is also somewhat mellower than the earlier one, possible a result of featuring Robbie Robertson on guitar than the exhilarating Michael Bloomfield. But for myself I find that some of the songs simply aren't among Dylan's finest.

"Visions of Johanna" is simply one of Dylan's greatest songs. A lot of people like to accuse Dylan of not being a good vocalist, let alone a great one. Widely viewed as a song about his break up with Joan Baez, it contains a host of unforgettable images and wonderful lines. The entire first verse, as I noted above, is especially marvelous. It reminds me of those paintings of Edward Hopper in which he presents a scene that has quiet undertones of desperation and despair and longing. But anyone who doesn't think Dylan is a great singer should try to sing along with him. His phrasing is impossible to imitate and one quickly realizes that despite the rap he is in fact a very special vocalist.

Though "Visions of Johanna" is one of Dylan's greatest compositions, the album boasts several very nearly as good. "Just Like a Woman" is one of Dylan's best known song, though I must confess that I find it a tad too pop and lacking the complexity and depth of the other songs on the album. "Absolutely Sweet Marie" is, along with "Visions of Johanna," perhaps my favorite cut on the disc. The title alone is one of my favorites of all time. What does it mean to be "absolutely sweet"? The adverb is vague but delicious. The song itself is stuff with imagery that is typical Dylan with its humor and wit. The song is driven by the brightest, hardest beat on the album with some of his best harmonica work. Though this is one of the songs where you wish that Bloomfield rather than Robertson were on guitar. Many songs on the album are nearly as rich as these, from the almost ramshackle "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" to "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" to "I Want You" to "Temporarily Like Achilles." There are a couple of weak links, however. "Sad Eyed Lady of the Low Lands" is one of the less stellar songs included on any album from Dylan's peak years and there are a couple of others almost as week. My own thinking is that if Dylan had cut the weakest numbers and settled for a single vinyl disc on its initial release instead of two, the album would have been fully the musical equal of HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED.

But like I said, even if this is Dylan's second finest album, it is nonetheless one of the very greatest albums ever released. It might even be in the top five. I personally would put HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED. When the less and less authoritative Rolling Stone did their list of the 500 Greatest Albums ever they put HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED #4, but only after three albums that were profoundly influenced by the Dylan: SGT. PEPPER'S, the hideously overrated PET SOUNDS (which I truly do not believe belongs in the top 100), and REVOLVER (which I personally think is the Beatles best). No Dylan and none of these three albums would exist. They put BLONDE ON BLONDE #9, but I think this was a bit low. But see, I said that the worst thing one could say about the album is that it is merely one of the ten best albums ever.

Very Long, but Not Long Enough, My Favorite Dylan Record.......2006-04-02

This record opens with "Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 36" and I can remember driving from LA to TJ with that record on the cassette player. I was riding with three friends and we played that record all the way there. Over and Over listening to that refrain, "Everybody must get stoned." We were college girls out for a good time. We did tequila shooters south of the border, but we were back Stateside by dark, I guess we weren't quite as daring as we thought we were. In the motel in Chula Vista we played the whole album on my portable cassette player. We cried during "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" even though it's probably not a crying song. "Vision of Johanna" is just the best. "I Want You," is a gripping rocker. "Just Like a Woman," is just like this whole record, Just outstanding, superb, really.

I Need More Stars for Blonde on Blonde.......2006-04-02

I own the record, the cassette and the CD of this record. The album was a double gatefold with a startling, good looking picture of Dylan on the cover. From looking at this cover, you get the impression of a young Brando. And like the defiant Brando of those early years, we see a defiant Dylan here, making music his way and damn the critics. This is a rocker, just witness the lead off song. It's also got the long "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" taking up the whole last side on the second disc of the double record. That must have really blown some minds back then. There is dynamite organ work, terrific piano work, knock 'em dead guitar work on this record. Every song is a gem and every song seems to redefine Dylan, a man who has been defined and redefined so many times in his career. Not only is this record one of his best, but it's one of the best records ever made. I know that's been said before, but it's true.

Average customer rating:

Witty and wry, like the master himself
Clever Title, Beautiful Music
Red Bluegrass
Don't think twice
Sweet Pretty Things

Red on Blonde
Tim O'Brien
Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Traveler
Fiddler's Green
The Crossing
Away Out on the Mountain
Cornbread Nation

ASIN: B000000F52
Release Date: 1996-06-18

Tracks:

Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power)
Tombstone Blues
Farewell Angelina
The Wicked Messenger
Father Of The Night
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Everything Is Broken
Man Gave Names To All The Animals
Masters Of War
Oxford Town
Maggie's Farm
Forever Young
Lay Down Your Weary Tune

Customer Reviews:

Witty and wry, like the master himself.......2006-06-09

In the familiar genre of bluegrass meets everything in sight, Tim O'Brien succeeds by broadening his outlook to include old-timey and early country influences. Almost without exception, these interpretations rock, to borrow a phrase. A nice extra: one hears the lyrics in all their irascible logic, without strain -- yet without the excessive attention to diction that makes certain interpreters sound like public-speaking-class parodies. Dylan belongs in his special space lyrically, and O'Brien makes that work without fail. The instrumental work is a delight; even oddities such as "Oxford Town" as old-timey work, if one chooses to ignore the lyrical content (James Meredith in Mississippi) and the melodic source of the song (Anglo-Irish). There is one crushing disappointment for me: "Lay Down Your Weary Tune," an incredible song for those who first heard it by the Byrds (whom O'Brien mentions), but which comes off here as a run-through afterthought, too quick, too unconnected to its power as music and word. Well, 12 out of 13 is better than not bad, Mr. O'Brien. This is as convincing a reconsideration of Mr. D as we're ever had the pleasure of hearing.

Clever Title, Beautiful Music.......2005-10-15

Tim O'Brien's all bluegrass recording of Bob Dylan songs has a clever title-- I assume he is referring to his own reddish hair-- but more important than a catchy phrase is O'Brien's renderings of thirteen titles that span Dylan's songwriting career from 1963 to 1989. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the music of the protean Dylan works well in a bluegrass setting complete with mandolins, banjo, fiddle, harmonica and guitar of course. After all, Dylan over the years has dabbled in country music ("Nashville Skyline") and has recorded with the likes of Johnny Cash.

Of the thirteen songs included here, my favorites are "Farewell Angelina," "Man Gave Names To All The Animals," "Oxford Town," and "Lay Down Your Weary Tune." In his excellent notes, Mr. O'Brien pays tribute to Joan Baez and her arrangement of "Farewell Angelina," saying that she "may be Dylan's best interpreter." (I would suggest it may be a toss-up between Ms. Baez and Judy Collins.) Even though O'Brien suggests that "Man Gave Names to All The Animals" is from Dylan "at his silliest," the song for me has a great beat and makes me smile. "Oxford Town" of course is about James Meredith's integrating the University of Mississippi. O'Brien at times sounds a little like Dylan here. "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" is a beautiful hymn-like song with the backup singers adding beautiful harmonies.

This CD is everything you hoped for and then some.

Red Bluegrass.......2004-10-22

The purchase of this CD, I unashamedly confess, came from my Dylan curiosity. Having had 'Lo & Behold' from McGuinness/Flint/Coulson & Dean devote an entire albumn to some of Bob's less well known 60s material, what could a bluegrass boy come up with over similar terrain? Well, nothing as bluesy as the aforementioned, successful translations.But the answer is absolutely thrilling. I never tire of O'Brien's treatment of these songs, 'Farewell Angelina', the rap version of 'Subterranean Homesick blues', the whacky,'Man Gave Name To All The Animals',and a definitive version of,'Forever Young'. The whole CD is an infectious pleasure. He mentions the possibility of taking a second bite at Dylan's catalogue & I hope the response to this effort encourages that. Subsequently, I followed his musical course back to Ireland, on 'The Crossing', which is every bit the equal of 'Red On Blonde'; a superlative set of original, traditional, and borrowed material. Joining him on this course, amongst a host of legendary folk musicians, was Paul Brady. Not an Irish blood relative, but a musical one to be sure. It struck me what accord O'Brien's sweet tenor has with the Brady I first heard in the late 70s before he shifted from singing, pretty much, traditional or traditionally-inspired songs. What company!

Don't think twice.......2004-05-13

Tim O'Brien's selection of reinterpreted Dylan tunes delivers plenty of strong moments.

O'Brien has chosen an interesting set of songs for this CD. There are 3 major multi-CD retrospectives of Dylan's work: Biograph (the best), The Essential Bob Dylan, and the 3 Greatest Hits CDs. 6 of O'Briens 13 selections appear on none of those sets. O'Brien has chosen from the whole of Dylan's catalog, from "Freewheelin" to "Oh Mercy" while using unique criteria: "Freewheelin" isn't represented by the familiar 'Blowing in the Wind' or 'A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall' but the less familiar 'Masters of War' and downright obscure 'Oxford Town'. From the classic "Highway 61 Revisited" we get not 'Like a Rolling Stone' but 'Tombstone Blues'; from "John Wesley Harding" not 'All Along the Watchtower' but 'The Wicked Messenger'. Indeed, most of the selections will be unfamiliar to casual fans of Dylan's career.

O'Brien makes this unusual selection work - ironically, 'Forever Young', probably the most widely recognized song on this CD, is also about the least interesting cover. 'Maggie`s Farm' was probably a poor choice as well - the snarling contempt of the lyrics simply fits Dylan's straightforward rock arrangement better than O'Brien's traditional stylings. But the strong entries outnumber the weak: 'Farewell Angelina' is a straight performance of a beautiful song, 'Senor' is superb, 'Everything is Broken' is a fine cover of a strong song from Dylan's less prominent later work. 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' is done marvelously as a sort of bluegrass rap, a choice which works perfectly, as do the strong picking and fiddle on 'Tombstone Blues'.

For some who can't get past Dylan's questionable voice, this will be a more accessible introduction to the man who is probably the greatest living songwriter. Dylan fans will enjoy hearing familiar songs presented skillfully from a fresh slant.

Sweet Pretty Things.......2004-02-03

No one ever pretended Bob Dylan had a pretty voice, but he did do definitive versions of his songs. So why should we pay money to hear a bluegrass artist do covers that sound markedly different from Dylan's originals?

Because the real magic of Bob Dylan's music is that it is so malleable. Every important song he wrote has more than one meaning, more than one interpretation, and his body of work has been a gold mine for intellectual musicians looking for a strong voice to adopt.

Mercifully, Tim O'Brien avoided the best-known Dylan tunes like Blowin' in the Wind or Mr. Tambourine Man. This isn't just a greatest hits retrospective; it's a cohesive artistic statement, like Blood on the Tracks or John Wesley Harding. One could imagine Dylan himself running Tombstone Blues up against Farewell Angelina, mustering little-known pieces like Oxford Town to keep the listener's attention through the middle portion, and crowning the sequence with Forever Young and Lay Down Your Weary Tune.

Yet for this artistic integrity and loftiness, it's still an album you can listen to more than once. The bouncy upbeat tunes on most of the tracks carry you along easily, and even when the pace slows on songs like Wicked Messenger or Masters of War, the flawless ensemble playing and clear vocals make you want to continue listening.

Tracks:

Wenn Ich Vergnn
Uch Wollt' Ich W Ein Huhn
Veronika, Der Lenz Ist Da
Bin Kein Hauptmann, Bin Kein Gros Tier
Ein Freund, Ein Guter Freund
Creol Love Call
Bist Nicht Die Erste
Baccarole
Der Sch Blauen Donau
Quant il Pleut
Ein Bisschen Leichtsinn Kann Nicht Schaden
Ich Hab' Fh 'Nen Blumentopf Bestellt
Jetzt Trinken Wir Noch Eins
Ist Die Liebe Der Matrosen
Liebling, Mein Herz L Dich Gr
Irgendwo Auf Der Welt
Ali Baba
Maria Marie
Auf Dem Heuboden
Liebesleid
Tout le Jour
Wir Sind Von Kopf Bis FuAuf Liebe Eingestellt
So Ein KuKommt Von Allein
Musketier Marsch
Mein Kleiner, Graktus

Tracks:

Hoppla, Jetzt Komm'ich
Kannst du Pfeifen, Johanna
Tea for Two
In Der Bar Zum Krokodil
Eine Kleine Frsweise
Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier Glh Bin Ich Nur Mit Dir
Die Liebe Kommt, Die Liebe Geht
Heute Nacht Oder Nie
Hallo, Was Machst du Heut' Daisy
Ich Khre Hand Madame
Auf Wiedersehen Mein Frein, Auf Wiedersehen Mein Herr
Kleiner Mann, Was Nun
Hein Spielt Abends So Schuf Dem Schifferklavier
Mein Lieber Schatz Bist du Aus Spanien
Onkel Bumba Aus Kalumba
Perpetuum Mobile
Leb' Wohl Gute Reise [Farewell, Have a Good Journey]
Wenn Die Sonja Russisch Tanzt
Morgen MuIch Fort Von Hier
Wenn Der Wind Weht er das Meer
Puppenhochzeit
Was Dein Roter Mund Im Fr Sagt
Es Fein Anderer Weg Zur Seligkeit
SchLisa, Ssa
Wochenend und Sonnenschein
Auf Wiedersch'n My Dear

Customer Reviews:

Comedian Harmonists.......2003-05-23

A wonderful Selection of great Harmonies and Novelty Tunes by this Relatively Unknown Group in America , This terrific German Group is a must for anyone that enjoys Good Harmony and just Plain Vocal Fun with Sounds and Lyrics. Highly Recommended and Enjoyable.

Average customer rating:

Pure pop heaven.
Do you like my song, eh?
seems to lack something
Simple, great music !
Simply wonderful

White on Blonde
Texas
Manufacturer: Fontana Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Hush
Southside
Ricks Road
Careful What You Wish For
Mothers Heaven

ASIN: B000001EQI
Release Date: 1997-08-05

Tracks:

0.34
Say What You Want
Drawing Crazy Patterns
Halo
Put Your Arms Around Me
Insane
Black Eyed Boy
Polo Mint City
White On Blonde
Postcard
0.25
Ticket To Lie
Good Advice
Breathless

Amazon.com

Great pop music is driven as much by raw emotion as it is classic textures. While this Scottish band excels in the latter trait, Texas has grappled with finding its own voice ever since making its 1988 debut. White on Blonde is the perfect example of an album that sounds right, but feels wrong. The band may borrow key traits from pop history in constructing its gentle blues style, but it woefully fails to give its songs any resonance. From the Motown influenced "Black-Eyed Boy" to the delicately gritty "Halo," the grooves fall into place just fine, but the sentiments ring hollow. Singer Sharleen Spiteri's voice--radiating warmth and soft-focus edginess--is still sweet on the ears; and the band's impenetrable sound will make radio programmers get down on their knees and praise the album-oriented rock gods. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

Pure pop heaven........2007-04-16

My favorite songs:

Say What You Want
Halo
Put Your Arms Around Me
Insane
White on Blonde
Ticket To Lie
Breathless

In particular I want to nominate "Put Your Arms Around Me" for one of the best pop songs ever, for the way it build up to the 3:00 minute mark and then just goes to another level. That's what differentiates the good from the great.

Do you like my song, eh?.......2006-02-11

Here's my stab at songwriting. See if you can come up with some more verses.

(Verse I) "Charlene Spiterri a coffee-table queen
A sort of Chrissie Hynde might-have-been
Her songs annoy me
Oh, they cloy (at) me
And her rock posturing's just obscene

(Pre-chorus)I'm not saying this to be mean
It's just the blandest thing I've ever seen

(Chorus) I'm not just saying this 'cos she's Scots
But to me she's just a poor man's Juliet Binoche
Her songs are bland and her voice too
Texas make Simply Red look like Neu!"

seems to lack something.......2005-12-01

There's some really nice songs on this album, Black-Eyed Boy, Halo, Say What You Want. Those three were released as singles in the UK and got loads of airplay. The rest of the album is equaly well produced, there's no bad songs, but I just find I get bored of this album too easily, it seems to lack something, and I dont listen to it often. When I do, the feeling always surfaces that the music isnt pulling all the right strings.

If you see it in the bargain bin it's worth a shot, but I wouldnt pay full price for it. There's usually loads of copies available second hand.

Simple, great music !.......2005-09-12

True beauty of Texas' music is its simplicity. They really can write amazingly simple, yet catchy songs which just grow on you with every time you listen. "White on Blonde" is the culmination of their work through the years which I believe paid off very well for them. Buy this album, enjoy good soft rock music, save live music, love Texas !

Simply wonderful.......2004-07-26

The very first time I ever listen to this band (Texas) was during the spring of 1997...I was in Amsterdam and I immediately fell in love with this group....Well its 7 years later and I still love them...it bring back good and wonderful memories...God bless them :)

Average customer rating:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane
The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3
Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Honey West
The Saint/Secret Agent

ASIN: B0006SSQ7U
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season End Title
Vulcan Affair (Suite No. 2)
Iowa-Scuba Affair
Shark Affair
Deadly Games Affair (Suite No. 2)
Meet Mr. Solo
Giuoco Piano Affair
King of Knaves Affair: Suite No. 2
First Season Main Title [Revised]
Deadly Decoy Affair
Spy With My Face
Second Season Main Title
Alexander the Greater Affair
Ultimate Computer Affair
Very Important Zombie Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Seadly Goddess Afair
Moonglow Affair

Tracks:

One of Our Spies Is Missing
Third Season Main Title
Sort of Do-It-Youself Dreadful Affair
Galatea Affair
Pop Art Affair
Come With Me to the Casbah Affair
Off-Broadway Affair
Concrete Overcoat Affair
Napoleon's Tomb Affair
Alternate Fourth Season Main Title
Fourth Season (End Title)
Test Tube Killer Affair
Prince of Darkness Affair
Seven Wonders of the World Affair

Customer Reviews:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane.......2005-10-19

Volume 2 (comprised of 2 CDs) is another first rate compilation of the series' original music and not to be missed by U.N.C.L.E. fans. The liner notes are wonderful and add a lot to ones appreciation of the music.

My only problem is that THE CDs ARE COPY PROTECTED! Considerable work is needed to get the music onto your iPod, if you really want the music in your mp3 collection. This is a major hassle and a surprise, since the first set in the series was not copy protected.

The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.

Average customer rating:

Very Long, but Not Long Enough
I Need More Stars for Blonde on Blonde
One of the All Time Best Records Ever Made
Stuck Inside a Masterpiece
Super Mix of That Thin Wild Mercury Music

Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary Edition
Brothers in Arms
Blonde on Blonde
Thriller
Beggars Banquet

ASIN: B00004SGNK
Release Date: 1999-11-23

Tracks:

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Pledging My Time
Visions of Johanna
One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
I Want You
Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Just Like a Woman
Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
Temporary Like Achilles
Absolutely Sweet Marie
4th Time Around
Obviously 5 Believers
Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

Customer Reviews:

Very Long, but Not Long Enough.......2006-04-02

I Need More Stars for Blonde on Blonde.......2006-04-02

One of the All Time Best Records Ever Made.......2006-04-02

Listening to "Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 36" one almost gets the sense of Bob Dylan rolling on the floor laughing as he's singing. You really get the sense that Dylan is feeling pretty good about himself, even though there were many of his fans who were upset with the fact that he'd gone all electric on them. This ain't no folk record, that's for sure, but then again, the last couple weren't folk records either, but they came so close together and the some of the folkies of the day were apparently a little slow in getting the picture. From "Rainy Day Woman" Dylan seques right into the rockin' bluesy "Pledging My Time," which is my favorite song on the record, though I really like rollickin', rockin' "Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat" as well. Oh heck, I like the whole bloody record. What's not to like?

Stuck Inside a Masterpiece.......2006-04-02

This record builds on the excellent "Highway 61 Revisited" enhancing not only Dylan's musical genius, but his mystique as well. What is he here? I mean what did they think of him back then, back when this record came out. Rock and Roll star, sure. Poet, sure. No longer involved in the politics of the day, but involved in so much more. Mr. Jones didn't get it on the last record and he's probably not getting it now. However lots of folks did get it, or thought they got it. I like to think I would've, but I don't know if I understand this record even now, after all this time, but I plan on listening to it over and over till I do finally understand this musical masterpiece, because I know it's important and it is just so very good, so wonderful.

Super Mix of That Thin Wild Mercury Music.......2005-04-27

This is an earlier SACD release, but in my opinion it has not been made obsolete as some people would say, by the newer version. They claim the mastering process is much better today then it was a few years ago, but this CD sounds very good to me. Better than the original. But I suppose if you by into all the hype (well I did and I have both versions) you'll want the newer one. Still this is a wonderfully clear mix.

Blonde on Blonde came out as a double album in May, 1966. Two months later Bob Dylan broke his neck in a motorcycle accident. Till then, every album was better than the last except this one. Blonde on Blonde just about equals Highway 61, which in my opinion is the best rock album of all time. I guess that would make Blonde number 2. Still with the Beatles, Stones, Zep, Eric and the Boss out there making music, having the number 2 record is pretty good, especially if you already hold the number one spot. Rolling Stone Magazine calls the record number ten, but hey, what's eight places when you're talking about the hundreds of thousands of rock records out there.

This amazing record was the third electric album done by Dylan and by now he'd won over many of his fans, though some did boo him when he toured in Europe in Sixty-six, but those Europeans, what do they know? And do any of us know what would direction Dylan's music would have taken, had he not been in that accident, would he have built on this record, delivering more of the same? Who knows? But what I do know is that this record opens with a dynamite song. Can you imagine what it must have been like for those establishment types hearing the lyrics, "Everybody must get stoned," blaring from their car radios.

The backing band on this record is both tight and loose, if that makes any sense, ripping through songs like "Stuck Inside a Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again," like a meteor streaking across a desert sky. This record is Thin Wild Mercury Music at its very best. Just incredible.

Jack Priest, Writer from the Darkside

The Collection, Vol. 3: Blonde on Blonde/Blood on the Tracks/Infidels

Average customer rating:

Here are the Songs that Paint Pictures on the Inside of Your Eyeballs
Three Masterpieces in This Collection
Three Records for the Ages
Three Dylan Rockers that will Knock the House Down
Raw Rock and Roll Power

The Collection, Vol. 3: Blonde on Blonde/Blood on the Tracks/Infidels
Bob Dylan
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Collection, Vol. 2: Freewheelin' Bob Dylan/Times They Are A-Changin'/Another Side
The Collection, Vol. 4: Nashville Skyline/New Morning/John Wesley Harding
The Collection: Oh, Mercy/Time Out of Mind/Love and Theft
Highway 61 Revisited
Bringing It All Back Home

ASIN: B000AAIXS6
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Tracks:

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Pledging My Time
Visions of Johanna
One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
I Want You
Stuck Inside of a Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Just Like a Woman
Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine
Temporary Like Achilles
Absolutely Sweet Marie
4th Time Around
Obviously 5 Believers
Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

Tracks:

Tangled Up in Blue
Simple Twist of Fate
You're a Big Girl Now
Idiot Wind
You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
Meet Me in the Morning
Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts
If You See Her, Say Hello
Shelter from the Storm
Buckets of Rain

Tracks:

Jokerman
Sweetheart Like You
Neighborhood Bully
License to Kill
Man of Peace
Union Sundown
I and I
Don't Fall Apart on Me Tonight

Customer Reviews:

Here are the Songs that Paint Pictures on the Inside of Your Eyeballs.......2006-08-27

Close your eyes and listen to "Blonde on Blonde." Every song on the album is so jammed with imagery that they paint pictures on the inside of your eyeballs. Though "Blonde on Blonde" was recorded way back before I was even a twinkle in my daddy's eyes, you can still listen to it today and be amazed. From the first note all the way to the end of "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" this is a record so full in imagery, power and raw poetry that it will never cease to stun. Sooner or Later, if you play Bob Dylan records, you're going to have to admit that this is one of his best.

"Blood on the Tracks" is one of Bob Dylan's better known records and one I really love. I've been listening to it as long as I can remember, thanks to my dad, who is a huge Dylan fan. I am as well. How can you not be. Just give a listen to "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts" with your eyes closed. If that eleven minute long cowboy ballad doesn't paint pictures on the inside of your eyeballs. A couple other picture painters are "Tangled Up in Blue" and "Idiot Winds," though I must say, I prefer the version of "Idiot Winds" on the official "Bootleg Series." Then there is the pain of Dylan's separation from his wife Sara throughout this album. Bob Dylan has always been right out front with his feeling on his albums, especially so on "Blood On the Tracks." I've read that this is considered one of the best albums ever made and I have to say that I agree.

I really like the way "Infidels" rocks out. I also like the imagery in the songs, especially in "Jokerman." The just keep coming after you, burning themselves into you eyes, etching themselves into your hear, impinging themselves on your mind. Once heard "Jokerman" is never forgotten. Dylan has had several bands throughout his long and prolific career, but I think the group he has on "Infidels" is the best ever. You really feel that they click as a unit and the music is all the better for it. Some other songs I really like on "Infidels" are "Man of Peace," "Sweetheart Like You" and the album's closer, "Don't fall apart on me Tonight." "Infidels" is Bob Dylan at his very best.

Three Masterpieces in This Collection.......2006-06-02

Three Masterpieces in This Collection

I own the record, the cassette and the CD of "Blonde on Blonde." The album was a double gatefold with a startling, good looking picture of Dylan on the cover. From looking at this cover, you get the impression of a young Brando. And like the defiant Brando of those early years, we see a defiant Dylan here, making music his way and damn the critics. This is a rocker, just witness the lead off song. It's also got the long "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" taking up the whole last side on the second disc of the double record. That must have really blown some minds back then. There is dynamite organ work, terrific piano work, knock 'em dead guitar work on this record. Every song is a gem and every song seems to redefine Dylan, a man who has been defined and redefined so many times in his career. Not only is this record one of his best, but it's one of the best records ever made. I know that's been said before, but it's true.

From the first chord of "Tangled Up In Blue" on "Blood on the Tracks" you know you're listening to something special. The song draws you in, sends chills up your spine, it's so good. Then it chews you up and spits you out right into "Simple Twist of Fate", another chiller of a song. I've read that Dylan was going through rough times when he recorded this record and in typical Dylan fashion he's put his life on his sleeve for all to see. He's in pain and you really feel it when you listen to these songs.

Like my friends, I just love the pulsating power of "Infidels." I also appreciate the way Dylan gets his spiritual message across without jamming it down your throat. "Jokerman" for me is reminiscent of "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and I can just picture a younger Dylan with those signs tossing them away during the singing of "Jokerman" the way he did in "Don't Look Back." I'm not a very spiritual person, but the biblical references in "Jokerman" did have me going to my Bible (everybody has one, religious or not, right?) and checking them out. Then there is "Sweetheart Like You," a song covered so well by Rod Stewart, but even more sentimental when you hear it sung by the writer himself. This is just a super rock and roll record, every song a gem.

Three Records for the Ages.......2006-06-02

"Blonde on Blonde" opens with "Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 36" and I can remember driving from LA to TJ with that record on the cassette player. I was riding with three friends and we played that record all the way there. Over and Over listening to that refrain, "Everybody must get stoned." We were college girls out for a good time. We did tequila shooters south of the border, but we were back Stateside by dark, I guess we weren't quite as daring as we thought we were. In the motel in Chula Vista we played the whole album on my portable cassette player. We cried during "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" even though it's probably not a crying song. "Vision of Johanna" is just the best. "I Want You," is a gripping rocker. "Just Like a Woman," is just like this whole record, Just outstanding, superb, really.

"Blood on the Tracks" is an album of broken love. There is so much sadness here. But there is also the best cowboy ballad on this record since Marty Robbins' "El Paso" and "Big Iron." "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts" just goes on and on, seemingly without end, then poof, it's over and the Jack of Hearts has gotten away with all the cash. You need a refreshing, uplifting song like this to balance out all the heartbreak. Once again, Bob Dylan has proven that he is the absolute best at whatever he attempts. Once again he's turned out a record that once listened to, becomes a part of you. It seems he's done that a lot, is still doing it.

On "Infidels" I just love the way Dylan says, "They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings" in the song "Sweetheart Like You." That phrase is timeless, more true today than ever. But than that's the way with a lot of Bob Dylan's songs, they never seem to age. I saw Dylan when he was touring for this record and he did a rocking version of "Masters of War," that is just ripping. "Neighbor Hood Bully" on this record is performed pretty close to the way he did that song, "Sundown On the Union" is too. This is a rock and roll record and I just love it!

Three Dylan Rockers that will Knock the House Down.......2006-06-02

"Blonde on Blonde" builds on the excellent "Highway 61 Revisited" enhancing not only Dylan's musical genius, but his mystique as well. What is he here? I mean what did they think of him back then, back when this record came out. Rock and Roll star, sure. Poet, sure. No longer involved in the politics of the day, but involved in so much more. Mr. Jones didn't get it on the last record and he's probably not getting it now. However lots of folks did get it, or thought they got it. I like to think I would've, but I don't know if I understand this record even now, after all this time, but I plan on listening to it over and over till I do finally understand this musical masterpiece, because I know it's important and it is just so very good, so wonderful.

I must have worn out a dozen copies of "Blood on the Tracks on record before I got the CD and I've gone through a couple of those. This record simply never gets old. It's as fresh now as the day Bob Dylan recorded it. It sends chills up my spine every time I hear it and I can't hear it enough. I play it in the car, at home, have it on my iPod and on my iBook. This is the kind of record that sets the standards for all the rest. It's on the top of the heap, rivaled only by Dylan's own "Highway 61 Revisited", "Blonde on Blonde," the Rolling Stones powerful bootleg "LiveR Than You'll Ever Be and the Beatles' two wonderful records, "The White Album" and "Abbey Road." That's a pretty powerful group of records. You should own them all, "Blood On the Tracks" especially.

Supposedly "Infidels" is another in a series of comeback records for Bob Dylan. It seems many thought he'd abandoned them when he did the Gospel flavored "Slow Train", "Shot of Love" and "Saved", but there are those like me who thought he never went away. I thoroughly enjoyed those records. This one I like better though as I think it's one of the best Dylan has done. Perhaps it's ex Rolling Stone henchman Mick Taylor's driving guitar, I don't know, but this record is a rocker through and through. It just makes you want to get up and jump. It's got that raw rock and roll power my friend Sara is always going on about.

Raw Rock and Roll Power.......2006-06-02

Listening to "Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 36" on "Blonde on Blonde" one almost gets the sense of Bob Dylan rolling on the floor laughing as he's singing. You really get the sense that Dylan is feeling pretty good about himself, even though there were many of his fans who were upset with the fact that he'd gone all electric on them. This ain't no folk record, that's for sure, but then again, the last couple weren't folk records either, but they came so close together and the some of the folkies of the day were apparently a little slow in getting the picture. From "Rainy Day Woman" Dylan seques right into the rockin' bluesy "Pledging My Time," which is my favorite song on the record, though I really like rollickin', rockin' "Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat" as well. Oh heck, I like the whole bloody record. What's not to like?

Bob Dylan pulled out all the stops when he made "Blood on the Tracks." His voice is as good as or better than it is on anything he's ever done. Both bands play their hearts out (He pulled the record just before release and rerecorded half the songs with a different band) and Dylan sings like he's singing the blues and means every line. There is not a misstep on this record. It is just impossible to have a favorite song, they are all so good. This album is just too good for me to describe. I just don't have the words.

Supposedly "Infidels" is another in a series of comeback records for Bob Dylan. It seems many thought he'd abandoned them when he did the Gospel flavored "Slow Train", "Shot of Love" and "Saved", but there are those like me who thought he never went away. I thoroughly enjoyed those records. This one I like better though as I think it's one of the best Dylan has done. Perhaps it's ex Rolling Stone henchman Mick Taylor's driving guitar, I don't know, but this record is a rocker through and through. It just makes you want to get up and jump. Like all three records in this set, Infidels has that raw rock and roll power.

Average customer rating:

Very Best of
Jessye Norman
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Brava, Jessye!: The Very Best Of Jessye Norman
Very Best of
The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]
Jessye Norman Classics
The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles

ASIN: B000083GOL
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

Dich, Teure Halle (Tannhauser, Act III)
Allamacht'ge Jungfrau, Hor Mein Flehen (Tannhauser, Act III)
Johohoe! Traft Ihr Das Schiff
Mild Und Leise
I. Dr Engel
II. Stehe Still!
III. Im Treibhaus
IV. Schmerzen
V. Traume
Dem Unendlichen D291
Der Winterabend D938
Auflosung D807
Ihr Habt Nun Traurigkeit

Tracks:

Barcarolle: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour
Venus Dit A Fortune
Qui Connait Donc La Souffrance...O Dieu, De Quelle Ivresse
Jusque-La Cependant Affermis Mon Courage...Aujourd'hui, Aujourd'hui Les Larmes
Premiers Transports Que Mul N'oublie!(Romeo Et Juliette, Part I)
No.1 Nahandove, O Belle Nahandove
No. 2 Aoua! Aoua! Mefiez-Vous Des Blancs!
No. 3 Il Est Doux De Se Coucher
Chanson Du Rouet
Si Morne
1. Rayon Des Yeux
2. Le Matin Les Branches Attisent
3. Tout Disparut
4. Dans Les Tenebres Attisent
4. Dans Les Tenebres Du Jardin
5. Unis La Fraicheur Et Le Feu
6. Homme Au Sourir Tendre
7. La Grande Riviere Qui Va
Amours Divins! (Act II)
On Me Nomme Helenw La Blonde (Act II)
La Vrai, Je Ne Suis Pas Coupable (Act III)
Elle Vient! C'este Elle! (ActIII)

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
2. Pledging My Time
3. Visions of Johanna
4. One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
5. I Want You
6. Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again
7. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
8. Just Like a Woman
9. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
10. Temporary Like Achilles
11. Absolutely Sweet Marie
12. 4th Time Around
13. Obviously 5 Believers
14. Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands