Tempest is the 35th studio album from Bob Dylan. Think about that for a moment.
Very few songwriters are as prolific and even less have the longevity that Dylan has given his fans and his critics.
As Woody Allen was beleaguered by fans in his movie Stardust Memories who “liked his early, funny movies,” Bob Dylan must wear a similar crown of thorns. For someone who was the spokesperson of a generation, the soundtrack of many lives, Dylan will always be compared to what he’s done before.
Tempest is a dark record with the religious allegories wrapped around the never-ending political metaphors that Bob is famous for. Such as “Early Roman Kings”, a sneering look at the shape of the world and the 1% that are running it. Combined with lovely accordion by David Hidalgo, this is a blues song that has the ghosts of Chicago’s West Side collaborating with Dylan’s band.
Of course the usual suspects are on board: Tony Garnier on bass, George Receli on drums, Donnie Herron, Stu Kimball and Charlie Sexton on guitars. The band takes us down the track on “Duquesne Whistle” but what we hear from the vocalist at times sounds like the end of the line for his vocal chords.
Critics and listeners of Dylan’s singing have been bagging him on it for years. His voice has always been an acquired taste, but now, it appears that the physical limitations of his vocal chords have peaked. It is not every song where Dylan sounds like he is gargling with barbwire and some work better than others.
“Soon After Midnight” could be taken from any of his 21st century releases and the playing and his singing come through with much more clarity here. Besides that, the arrangements, the recording process and the packaging of these 10 new songs are executed in the style we are accustomed to.
“Roll On John” is an endearing tribute to John Lennon, Dylan meditating on the fallen Beatle gives this record a sense of humanity and mortality. None of us ever imagined Lennon would leave us that way and Dylan visualizes that it would have been a better world for all of us if he had somehow dodged those bullets.
This is a record ardent Dylan fans will love. The nearly 70 minutes of music and excellent arrangements are played with beauty and warmth, which may be because Dylan is now a withering rose who can still write better than most.
Tempest will not be simply stashed away, and there are some gems to be found. He has the recording process and template for his records down perfectly now, and the record will surely sit in the middle realms of his work.
We should consider ourselves blessed to even have this artist here with us and know that whatever he throws our way will be intriguing and thought provoking.
