Bob Dylan: Fallen Angels - 2016


Dylan's "doing a Rod Stewart/Paul McCartney/Eric Clapton/Ringo Starr phase" continued apace here, with another album of "great American love songs", eleven of the twelve having been done by Frank Sinatra at some point. 

However, it is not nearly as much as a Sinatra tribute as Shadows In The Night had been. Its choice of songs is more romantic, lighter, more one of essential love songs as opposed to late night "my girl's left me, pour me another Bourbon" songs of misery. It sounds a bit like Dylan doing Bryan Ferry doing standards, if that makes sense. Dylan's much-maligned, ageing croak is actually on fine clear form throughout despite its obvious limitations and the music is immaculately played. 

Dylan knows his musical history back to front and the nostalgic atmosphere is most palpable. The album stands alone completely out of time, other than to the 30s/40s/50s time it derives its material from and it remains utterly incongruous in the Dylan canon, like its unique stablemates. Regarding analysis, I'll do as Dylan advises, and not look for any meanings or significance. 

I can't say much more than it is a lovely, pleasant and relaxing listen if you're in the mood for it at the end of a cold, dark winter's day. It is a historical document too, in many ways. 

Some may sneeringly condemn it as hackneyed cheese, but me, I see it as a fine Stilton, to be consumed every now and again, accompanied by a warming tot of port or brandy whenever the fancy takes you. It has a serene, calming effect, apart from on the groovy, rhythmic toe-tapper That Old Black Magic, that is. 

Although I am not a huge fan of this type of thing as a rule, I have to admit that this album is rather lovely.

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