Bob Dylan
Unplugged

(Columbia)

First Appeared at The Music Box, January 1997, Volume 4, #1

Written by John Metzger

Unplugged features an outstanding performance from Bob Dylan and his band. Some of the older songs like All Along the Watchtower sound fresh and revitalized, obviously inspired by the sounds created on his last two releases, World Gone Wrong and Good as I Been to You. Throughout the album, Brendan O'Brien plays Hammond organ, adding an Al Kooper-esque feel to many of the tracks. Dylan, whose concert appearances are often criticized for sloppy vocals, is on the mark this time with an emotional vocal and instrumental performance. Some of the strongest tracks include Shooting Star from the 1989 album Oh Mercy; a Desolation Row that is filled with hopelessness and despair and also is paired nicely with Dignity; and a very sweet version of Knockin' on Heaven's Door. As if this isn't enough, Unplugged closes with a wonderful acoustic performance of Like a Rolling Stone as well as a haunting With God on Our Side.

Unplugged is available from Barnes & Noble.
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Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 1997 The Music Box