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04/01/2006

Empire Burlesque: Dylan for Downloaders 2

Following last week’s article on downloading the strongest tracks on Under The Red Sky, in response to a new Dylan fan’s request for recommendations, a couple of younger readers have asked for downloading recommendations from another weak album, Empire Burlesque.

The same proviso applies – I prefer to listen to Dylan albums, even the weaker titles, as whole albums, and they’re often available for under £5. But, if forced to select tracks to go on a compilation for the car, or as downloads (if available), I’d choose:

* Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love)

* I’ll Remember You

* When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky

* Dark Eyes.

All four are recognisably the work of a major writer/performer. But even these are overproduced genuflections in the direction of the early 1980s synth-dominated pop charts. The guitar fills on Tight Connection, for example, would fit well in many of the fluffily vacuous top 10 hits peppering the period.

Taken as a package, Empire Burlesque disappoints because it consists mainly of weak songs, made even less palatable by inappropriate arrangements and some puzzling production. I listen to it occasionally because it has some singing which counts among Dylan's best on record.



Gerry Smith

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