Bob gets together with his last touring band and quickly records a deep blues party record. I would be surprised if this wasn't recorded completely live in the studio because it has that feeling that you're watching it at some outdoor salty-air arena. Especially the tracks that float the accordion in the middle. Reminds me of looking out over the levee in New Orleans.
This album is notable for a first time collaboration in Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. It's hard for me to tell what he contributed, because it all sounds like Bob's style. But I was hooked nonetheless, especially when he gets wistful and romantic. (See "This Dream Of You" below.)
But Bob's voice has all but left him. The wispy content sighs of "Love And Theft" is apparant here and there, the aforementioned song below for example. But more often than not, he's more growly and gruff than ever before. As live as as this album feels, I'm afraid of what Dylan singing is going to be in a live setting this time out. But I'm nitpicking. We don't come to Dylan records for the vocals. We've always come for the lyrics and, more often than you realize, we come for the exciting arrangements of the people around him. No disappointment on those ends. (4/5 stars)
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