New Morning-really soulful, even Dogs Run Free and the two closing songs that most seem to hate. Sign on the Window is one of his best.

Before The Flood-Some fans don't like it, many prefer Hard Rain. Dylan is shouting on pretty much all of this and Garth Hudson is adding some unnecessary accompaniment to the proceedings. But jesus he just pulverizes these songs. "At its best, this is the craziest and strongest rock and roll ever recorded"-Robert Christgau. I agree.

"New Morning" is a top ten Dylan album for me -- joyful, pastoral, it's "Nashville Skyline" steered back towards the center, Dylan's voice at a happy medium between that album's silken croon and the more recognizable Dylan sneer of the mid-'60's. Listening to that album makes me sad for him that that marriage didn't work out.

"Before the Flood" I don't much care for -- probably my second least favorite Dylan live album behind "Dylan and the Dead." The '74 tour produced its share of fun one-offs (such as the only ever live version of "As I Went Out One Morning" and a bunch of "Planet Waves"-era tunes), but from night to night it was a supercharged, oversung mess. "Hard Rain" -- by which point he'd learned to incorporate layers of nuance and melody into the shout-singing he favored during this era -- is about a million times better.

world gone wrong or gtfo

Top 10 for sure, maybe top 5.

His playing on that is just fantastic.

It's a flawless album for me. "Good As I Been to You" is almost as good.

I just got Desire, and I am having trouble getting over how good black diamond bay is. For some reason I had low expectations for the album but I've been pleasantly surprised.

"Isis," "Romance in Durango," and "Black Diamond Bay" are all-time favorites.

Desire-Need to listen to this more but I agree that Black Diamond Bay is great. Although I might give best song to Joey(Dylan can keep you interested on a story for 10 minutes longer than anybody)

Slow Train Coming-Precious Angel is the standout but overall it is good. Maybe the production is slicker than most are used to(in the book Down The Highway Dylan is quoted as saying he disliked the album due to this) but it fits the songs. When He Returns is powerful.

Planet Waves-Never Say Goodbye and You Angel You are nice tracks, slight as they are. Bridge?(part that begins "Grandma always said follow your heart") on Going Going Gone is special.

Empire Burlesque is great.

Desire and BotT are my first childhood memories. Road trips with just those two cassettes. I used to sing along with every word.

Maybe not my first childhood memories, but I know what you are saying there 'sleep. I remember those 2 and Infidels all getting lots of play around me as a kid. To this day those albums still give me a secure, nostalgic feeling like almost no others.

http://bobdylan.com/news/qa-with-bill-flanagan/

Pretty interesting read here, bob-folk.

Did anyone else use the Unofficial Bob Dylan Bootleg Tape Library. Simon did a stellar job. It was always a treat to get back a cassette or two. It was where I got my first complete version of the Basement Tapes (4 cassettes).

I just found a few of these in a box packed away. Now I need to find a tape deck.



Beware your eyes
http://freelib.org/dylan/freelib.html

Slightly before my time in traders' world, but man I'd have loved that.

This could not be more in my wheelhouse.

Bob Dylan Details ‘Trouble No More – The Bootleg Series Vol. 13 / 1979-1981’
https://www.jambase.com/article/bob-dylan-details-trouble-no-bootleg-series-vol-13-1979-1981

Slow Train is what got me in the door with Dylan. It still holds up but requires more of the listener than I am normally able to give. When He Returns stops me in my tracks every time. However, I spin Shot of Love regularly and can't get enough of Solid Rock. I'm really looking forward to this release!

I love, love, love the Christian period. Some of the songs are terrible but the musical performances are so passionate.

and who can not love what Mark Knopfler brings to STC?!

Will they be including Bob's anti-homosexual rants from his gospel tours? That would be a real hoot. Christian love and understanding on full display.