What is there really left to say about Robert Allen Zimmerman? He’s a singer songwriter, author, disc jockey, poet, social crusader, fulltime philosopher and a part time bullshitter who has repeatedly raised the bar for popular music. Oh, legend has it he also makes a mean omelette.
Now a pensioner, Dylan shows no signs of slowing down. But for now we’ll have to make do with yet another compilation whoring his greatness, creatively entitled Dylan.
Boasting a tracklist picked by fans via Columbia’s homepage, the best of is available to punters in three editions: a single disc featuring 18 tracks, a three disc digipack featuring 51 tracks and a deluxe box set comprising the three disc set tarted up in replica vinyl packaging, together with 10 postcards and a booklet.
They say:
The Independent: “Contains an incomparable fund of classics – and is just as frustrating as previous Dylan compilations.”
We say:
Unless you’re a Dylan obsessive or your wallet causes you considerable back pain, the three disc digipack is probably the version to go for.
Here you’ll find a plethora of folk rock classics and obscure gems to over analyse and tap your foot to, such as the sometimes cryptic love is hell opus ‘Tangled Up in Blue’, the pioneering ‘60s political protest song ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, and the highly underrated ‘Jokerman’ which is steeped in disturbing biblical imagery.
Most pleasing of all is the inclusion of ‘Positively 4th Street’, which was a single only release in 1965 (albeit heavily represented on later compilations). Unfairly written off as a poor man’s ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ on release, it is a brutal tongue lashing that has stood the test of time and well deserving of its place on this latest collection.
Naturally, there are few puzzling omissions sure to leave purists fuming, with relatively new material like ‘You’re Gonna Quit Me’ making the grade at the expense of old favourites ‘Desolation Row’ and ‘Visions of Johanna’.
Still, mustn’t grumble. With over 500 songs to his name, keeping everyone happy was always going to be an impossible task. So just relax, pop the CDs in the tray and marvel at the genius that is Bob Dylan. At least until the next cash cow is unleashed.
Like this? Try these:
Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
Johnny Cash – The Legend
Neil Young – Greatest Hits
RELEASED
Out now
LABEL
Columbia
POSTED...
Thu 4 Oct 2007 at 9:11pm
