Street Legal | Discovering Bob Dylan, Ep. 19
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- čas přidán 11. 06. 2024
- The tables have finally turned between Joe and Dylan.
Just what that means... you'll have to watch and find out.
Street Legal, Bob Dylan's 18th studio album was a pretty big change for Bob's sound and some people were upset by it. Critics were mixed: Robert Christgau gave it a C+ and said that "This divorcé sounds overripe, too in love with his own self-generated misery to break through the leaden tempos that oppress his melodies, devoid not just of humor but of lightness--unless, that is, he intends his Neil Diamond masquerade as a joke." Ouch.
Some liked it. And audiences ate it up and it went gold in the US and platinum in the UK.
Did Joe like it? Obviously Joe's going to love it... it's got horns and female backing vocals and bridges aplenty. Or will he?
Will he be too busy comparing it to Steely Dan and Boz Skaggs and other late 70s AM Gold all-stars?
You'll have to watch and find out...
#bobdylan #streetlegal #podcast
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Excellent series so far! Thank you for the shout out. Yes, Slow Train Coming is my favorite Dylan album, but the follow-up Saved was very disappointing...
"I've seen all these decoys through a set of deep turquoise eyes and I feel so depressed." I'm a BobHead, I'm 49 and have been all in since I was 15-years-old. Seen the man live 50+ times etc... I was eager for this episode because Street-Legal is my all-time favorite album. My older brother got it on CD while he was in college from a Columbia House order that included nine other Dylan albums. Street-Legal came in a long box, so from the beginning it stood out. There's a desperation and intensity in the delivery, and an almost medieval quality to the lyrics (Changing of the Guards) (No Time to Think), that combined with the Vegas-style band and backup singers washes over me and always leave me in awe. It's also that fandom thing that allows you to feel ownership over an album when you're into an artist with a large catalog. This was MY favorite. In Dylan circles there is a bunch of folks who have it way up on their personal rankings which I find interesting. Fun episode and I didn't think that the biggest hot take of this series that I completely disagreed with would come from Dylan and not Joe! Changing of the Guards is a fundamental Bob track and would be in my ten if I were to do a career-spanning greatest hits. No cover can compare! One other rando note, Robbie Fulks did a complete cover of the album called "16" that he released on vinyl only and it's another favorite in my record collection.
I totally agree on Robbie Fulks' 16!
Street Legal was underrated at the time, glad to see that Joe likes it
I was listening this morning and it's got some real catchy tunes. Changing Of Guard and No Time To Think are my earworms today.
One of my fav Dylan albums. Very underrated.
I like Street Legal a lot, for a long time I didn't realize it was looked down upon since my dad always liked it and spoke positively about it. I agree with it being a good patio record, I've been inspired to add it to my Summer albums rotation - sounds perfect.
What else is in your summer rotation
@@alincoln8377 A bit of an eclectic mix:
- Mac DeMarco - Salad Days
- Eric Slick - New Age Rage
- The Lemon Twigs - A Dream is All We Know
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes
- Jorge Ben Jor - A Tabua De Esmeralda
- Supergrass - Life on Other Planets
- Bob Dylan - Street Legal
I’m with Joe on this one. It’s my 2nd favourite 70s Dylan album behind Blood on the Tracks. It’s bright and breezy patio rock we all need in our lives.
Joe, your Desire takes are killin me.
😂 💯
What do you mean? You mean his opinions on the Desire album?
@@xvx5872 yes
Maybe it's because I'm in the UK, but that remastered version on CD is pretty easy to find, and it's very much an improvement imo. 4 star album for me, with 3 stone cold classics - Changing Of The Guard, Senor, and Where Are You Tonight? Have no problems with his voice personally. I think it's fine. Loving the videos, thanks. Stuart
I really like this album, i find it to be one of his most underrated in his discography. Dylan is in a "now what?" peroid and looking for a new sound and direction.
Its got a LA Pop and philly soul sound to it, with cool use of organ and harmonium and amazing backup vocalists.
Lyrically, its on the philsophical side with tracks like Changing of the Guards, No Time to Think and Is Your Love in Vain asking some big questions. My favorite track is New Pony, which is an absolute banger.
Great video guys!!! See you in the born again trilogy
This record doesn't have the best Dylan voice style but for me it has one of his best vocal melodies. Love Street Legal, it's happy and bright and powerful. Happy that Joe liked it, probably he will like the next three 🙏
Street-Legal was the first Bob Dylan I ever owned, buying it when I was 18 in ‘78 and all I really knew of Dylan was that Rolling Stone loved him. I thought it was really cool, very sophisticated, deep, moody…so much mystery in the lyrics that I didn’t appreciate at the time. It was so out there as compared to my Cars or Elvis Costello LP’s, and it was cool to be unique among my friends in getting into Dylan. It was unlike anything I had heard to my ears, and began my life-long love of the Bob. I always liked it, but over time and compared to other Dylan albums, it’s definitely slipped for me. I agree with Mr. Sevey, that it sounds muddy and rushed (I would love to find the late Nineties re-mix on vinyl!) and just doesn’t grab me like some (most) of his other albums. A number of great songs, but too often covered with sludge. A solid 3.5 stars, but well inferior to both Blood and Desire. And I love the Live 1975 Rolling Thunder Bootleg series…and even the recent Complete Budokan release…all better than SL…but it’s still time spent with Bob, always rewarding, always challenging, but in the B list in his overall unsurpassed catalog. Thx as always for a great discussion! The next one will be very interesting. Cheers, JPE
The thing to keep in mind about Dylan going forward is that up until his career renaissance with Time Out of Mind in 1997, you are really looking at a mixed and unpredictable bag as far as studio album output. There are some really good albums he made in this period like Slow Train Coming, Infidels and especially Oh Mercy which finished out the 80s on an incredibly high note even though the rest of the decade was not that strong. The point I am trying to make is that even though Dylan might have lost some fans with the christian trilogy or in the 80s, he always managed to win people back again with something amazing. Since Time Out of Mind, he has done nothing but put out critically acclaimed records, so there is a lot to look forward to in this journey of discovering Dylan
Street Legal is the most underrated album in his catalog in my opinion. Very emotional, direct and powerful. Besides Blonde on Blonde these are my favorite Dylan vocals ever. I love it. Is Your Love in Vain? is one of my favorite Dylan songs ever and Changing of the Guard is hands down one of his best. I think the background music adds a lot to the album. Dylan's best work is where he is at his most direct and emotional - Blonde on Blonde, Blood on the Tracks, Highway 61, Street Legal, Infidels, Time out of Mind. I had a good feeling Joe would like this album but still can't believe he didn't like Blood on the Tracks but I am not shocked lol.
I always liked this record. one of the ones that got me into Dylan. I think its great and underrated.
I love the saxophone on this record
Me too
Love budokon, love street legal. He wanted the big elvis band sound so it's quite deliberate and something of a nod to the recently departed King.
Street Legal is a triumph. Definitely in my top 5 Dylan albums. Love the band, arrangements, backing singers and his vocal delivery is simply sublime. The 1999 remix sorts out all the sonic issues and is easy to find. Can’t understand why this album is so maligned. Fuckin’ love it.
I've always thought this would be a make or break album for Joe - if he didn't like it well... I adore it and especially what comes next!
Yes, Joe is right, it's a step up over Desire and a strong 4.0😊 great reviews, great background information from Dylan as always!
Dylan fan for nearly 50 years now and not surprised about Joe. Pop listeners do like this album.
Nezt surprise Iguess will be Red Sky
If forced to take a side, I take Joe with pleasure! I really like this album.
street legal is awesome, backing vocals, sax's vibe, its all great
Slow Train Coming is going to be good.
There is a certain joy for me when I listen to "Street Legal." I pretty much dismissed this album years ago, but my views have improved dramatically over the last several years. I put it on periodically because I want to listen to it. I feel it ranks as one of Dylan's most underrated albums of the 70s. Especially with the improved mix. With that said - "Blood on the Tracks" is a top 5 Dylan album. "Desire" and "Planet Waves" rank higher. "New Morning" ranks higher. I'll hold off discussing "Slow Train Coming." I still like it a great deal. "Changing of the Guards" is amazing. I love "New Pony" and especially "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)." So much to like here.
70s Output:
Blood on the Tracks - 5 stars
The Basement Tapes - 5 stars
Desire - 4 1/2 stars
Planet Waves - 4 1/2 stars
New Morning - 4 stars
Street Legal - 4 stars
Self Portrait - 2 stars
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid - 2 stars (great move, though)
Dylan - 1/2 star (ripoff)
My recollection was that in 1978 the reviews for Street Legal were very positive (at least in the few publications I was reading). You have implied that John Wesley Harding was not well received, and I recall that album receiving nothing but rave reviews. I personally consider it to be one of Dylan’s masterpieces and feel it was vastly influential, as it radically and abruptly shifted pop music away from psychedelia and foreshadowed how The Band would soon alter the FM radio landscape. And New Morning was viewed with a general sigh of relief from the critics who almost universally trashed Self Portrait. But you are correct about the reception At Budokan received, even though I instantly loved it upon its initial release here in the states as a Japanese import that I taped off the radio when it was played in full. To this day I consider that album’s version of It’s Alright Ma to not only be the best version of that song but the best live performance in the entire Dylan catalog.
Must be reading too much Rolling Stone. But no I have not implied JWH was not well received. - Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic Ahhh, I see my error. I guess I wasn't listening too closely when Mr. Sevey said "You were ready to count him out after John Wesley Harding" (33:02) and assumed the "you" was meant collectively (addressing music listeners in general), and not to you, Joe, specifically. My bad.
glad you liekd it! love it too
Last week it was Billy Joel who got an eyeroll. This week it's Toto.
Have we found ourselves a music snob here?
Aren’t we all?
@@dylanseveymusic Some ..... are bigger than others.
I think Jason's favorite Bob Dylan song is "True Love Tends To Forget."
Renaldo and Clara is a great watch. And Hard Rain is my one of my favorite live recordings from Dylan (along with the Bangladesh recordings.)
I recommend my uncle Bob Shiel's Dylan book. 61 Highways Revisited. It was written around 10 years ago when Dylan apparently had 61 albums, and it critiques each one. With some personal anecdotes that are interesting especially if you happen to be familiar with Chicago.
I just wanted to say how much I love this channel. You guys are the best! I especially like this segment Joe…I love how you are really trying to gain appreciation for an artist you don’t necessarily dig. You have inspired me to do the same! (Mine is Zappa). Dylan. Your knowledge of Dylan is impressive and I look forward to all your insights. Keep up the good work boyz!!!
Another instalment, sweeeeeta!!
To Dylan:
Your reaction reminds me of Joe's early understanding of Bob. He has
continued to greatly grown in his appreciation of Bob. You have suddenly
adopted Joe's earlier approach of placing this or that barrier to accepting.
this or that sound, a lacking bridge, a wrong instrument, etc. Bob makes very few mistakes.
Pavarotti gave advice to a group of aspiring student opera singers. After listening
to one of them, he praised the man's gifts and then said "You need to put more 'trompeta' in your voice."
You Dylan are rejecting this fabulous album because Bob is singing
too nasally! Shame on your requirements. I give you a shaky two stars for your reaction.
To Joe:
We are all counting on you to lead Dylan back to the path of truth, light and beauty concerning Street Legal.
Take the cotton out of Dylan's ears. I was so terribly impressed with Dylan. Suddenly I just didn't know what to think or say.
I then listened to SL for
the 50th? time. Like Dylan, I too can say that I have never loved this album more.
That is not the only reason I don’t love this album, but thanks for the comment.
The original bass 🔊 player Rob Stoner & drummer 🥁 Howie Wyeth from this album quickly joined Robert Gordon & played on & toured in support of his excellent Rock Billy Boogie album with ace guitarist 🎸 Chris Spedding. Bob should have kept them on board for Street Legal. Solid players.
“Are you so fast that you cannot see that I must have solitude?
When I am in the darkness, why do you intrude?
Do you know my world, do you know my kind
Or must I explain?
Will you let me be myself
Or is your love in vain?
-Me to the woman when I’m playing video games.
Look. It was Los Angeles in the late ‘70s. Fucking cocaine city. Dylan was mired. Renaldo and Clara bombed. His marriage was over, custody issues.
For a year I lived in a mud hut in Kenya and this was my only Dylan, midst my cassettes of punk and reggae. It grew on me -- particularly Senor and Changing. You can almost feel the Christianity coming on, emerging from the LA sound. For me, it says as much as the preceding two classics - musically and lyrically.
I think Joe listened to the same album I did. I love this coming at the end of the magnificent trio starting with BOTT. I love this one but would like to hear it with the backing vocals mixed out, just to hear it, but I really like this one.
Surely we see the dissolution of Dylan's life over this period (could this be why Dylan doesn't like the arrangements and mix - he's had everything blow up, why not the sound?) So why was everyone surprised when Slow Train Coming came out. We can't live much less thrive living with constant chaos. Can't wait for the review, STC is one of my favorites but will leave the story for that one.
Dylan, you gently chided me for not letting Bob be Bob in the late 60's-early 70's era and understand the context of the time issued. And I appreciated the comments and insight then. I think given Bob's state of mind at the time, I think this recording perfectly captures this. But, I could be wrong.
I continue to love this series, you guys did a great job with this record. Joe, Dylan, thanks for your efforts. It has been well worth it.
🙏
I’m glad I was gentle with my chiding haha. I don’t think you’re wrong at all; it just personally doesn’t translate to being one of my absolute favorite Bob albums. Still very good in my book, though.
@@dylanseveymusic hahaha - Thanks Dylan, you guys are the best!
I agree with Dylan in that his vocals have declined but its still one of my favorites. It was remixed in 1999 which greatly enhanced the sound and brought
the vocals up in the mix. some really strong songs and some great bridges!!! cheers.
I think Dylan is right about Desire (it’s amazing) but Joe is far closer to the mark on Street-Legal: it’s a killer album with great musicianship.
There’s no way Bob sounds anonymous here. At its peak, Street-Legal is a lyrical tour de force that comes close to matching Blood on the Tracks. You guys really did not do enough justice to Changing of the Guards, every verse is a masterpiece that matches or supersedes the very best of work on Highway 61 or Blonde on Blonde. And what about Señor? The song is one of Dylan’s most captivating and thrilling, as is the closer Where Are You Tonight (although I think it just should’ve been titled ‘Journey Through Dark Heat’). These three tracks are among Bob Dylan’s best ever! Is Your Love In Vain is also a heartbreaking song in the context of Dylan’s divorce. Such a powerful opening line: “Do you love me. Or are you just extending good will”
Production-wise, it’s fantastic. So different from Desire, but just as good and shows again how Bob can so effectively change his sound. I can’t think of three consecutive records in the 1970s from the same artist that sound so sonically different as Blood on the Tracks, Desire, and Street Legal!
The horns on New Pony match the raunchy nature of the lyrics, enhances what is otherwise a fairly standard blues track into this hypnotic rave up, with frantic backing vocals chanting “how much longer” with these strong powerful drums. Such a cool track.
With all that being said, I do think the album is a bit weaker than the previous two in that there are a number of tracks that fall in the good but not great category (Baby Stop Crying, True Love Tends To Forget, We Better Talk This Over). I enjoy listening to these tracks a lot, but I’m never really blown away by them. I also don’t know whether I love or hate “No Time To Think” but it’s just too long either way.
So for that reason, I would give it 4 1/2 Stars, not quite in my top ten of Dylan records even though it probably has two of my top ten Dylan songs on it.
I cannot wait to hear Joe’s reactions to the Christian albums. Spoiler: these are three of my favourite Bob Dylan albums!! I hope Joe enjoys the song ‘Slow Train’, such a great rocker, and ‘Precious Angel’ is a beautiful song that I consider as my personal favourite Bob Dylan song.
Also I hope Joe gets a chance to listen to a few tracks from the ‘Trouble No More’ bootleg series. Bob’s performances here rival Rolling Thunder in terms of the passion he brings to these songs, sometimes eclipsing their studio counterparts.
Some good songs hampered by busy arrangements. Mix out most of the backing vocals and saxes and it might go from a good to great record. I do like it more now than when it first came out; I'm hoping for a Bootleg series of demos without the "tasty" playing. The Slow Train Coming episode should be interesting. "On the slow train time does not interfere and at the Arabian crossing waits..."
I really enjoy SL, quite a lot. I am not surprised by each others comments and affection for it. My leanings are with Joe.
Am a bit perplexed about the negative comments re the production/sound/mix etc of it. I find it all pleasant to the ear and the playing quite good. And I LOVE when Dylan delivers a bridge! I also like the backing singers. Yeah Dylan is a bit nasally, but it’s Dylan 🤷♂️
Looking forward to Slow Train 👍
Dylan mentioned a cover. Reminded me I like Danny Schmidt cover of Buckets Of Rain
The first Dylan album I bought at 14 years old was Biograph (yes, because I had heard 'Lay Lady Lay' at night on the radio and I was blown away by it, I had never heard anything like it. I spend all my savings on it. In the local record shop they had only two other Dylan albums at the time, Street Legal and Slow train Coming. So that was my introduction, I loved those albums, came in totally free of expectations or any real knowledge or appreciation about the massive body of work that had come before. In fact, it took me awhile before I fully realised that not every artist was like this. I love your podcast, guys!
I realized how good this LP is about 25 years too late ….
Despite being quite a Dylan fan, I've never heard anything off this album as far as I know, so I'll immediately go off and listen to it before coming back here.... Thanks so much for this series!
Okay, I had actually heard Changing of the Guards and remember not liking it at all, and still don't. New Pony is great -- the kind of blues lyrics that the old blues masters, and Dylan, and absolutely no one else ever, could write. And I just hit the first verse of No Time to Think. I wasn't expecting to be so knocked off my horse by 70s Dylan lyric. I will go back to listening and will enjoy the discussion, but will not comment again tonight. (I've already had two beers and I'm ready for the broom. And no one should be commenting on You Tube in such circumstances!)
❤❤❤ Street legal
Have to agree with Dylan here. Definitely in my handful of least played Bob.
Interesting. I have not spent that much time with it but "Journey Through Dark Heat" took the roof off my head. It's imo one of his greatest songs, an astonishing pouring out of the heart of rage, grief, resignation and longing and far surpasses Idiot Wind in the same terrain. It is more authentic and better than anything on Desire. I liked the full sound. Didn't bother me at all, Guards is a very interesting song. Album is underrated. But NOT as good as BOTT, a much more complete and consistently superior creation. Great discussion.
This is an album I've never owned. I've listened to it before, but it never felt as immediate as 10-15 other albums (and numerous official bootleg releases) felt. Let me give this a listen.
1) Changing of the Guard - very Springsteen - nothing wrong with that - while not up to the level of other "major" Dylan songs, this is good
2) New Pony - I like the bluesy aspect as well as the backing vocals - not sure about the sax solo...I think I could have done without it
3) No Time To Think - this sounds like a new take on an old structure - I like the violin refrain(s) - not sure we need all of those backing vocals...they sound a bit too much. I guess, at this moment, the album doesn't sound intimate. I like the songs but perhaps not the over-production.
4) Baby, Stop Crying - I guess I'm not liking all of those backing vocals; take them off, and this doesn't sound too different from the songs on "Desire"
5) Is Your Love In Vain? - I like this one. The song sounds reminiscent of "If You See Her, Say Hello." But a lot more produced. Listening to this album is giving me an idea as to why I love Desire and Blood On The Tracks so much. They are so much more intimate than this.
6) Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) - this is...a song. It doesn't do anything for me.
7) True Love Tends To Forget - I like this. The backing vocals don't seem overbearing like they are on other tracks.
8) We Better Talk This Over - this song seems pleasant enough. But not necessarily essential listening. I swear it sounds like something from the "A Mighty Wind" movie...there's something very folksy about it.
9) Where Are You Tonight (Journey Through Dark Heat) - I think I like this one the most...mostly. He sings this one with confidence. Not sure about the "hey hey hey hey" backing vocal parts during the guitar solo. And it's not much of a guitar solo. But otherwise, I really like this song.
Verdict: I like it. A LOT more than something like John Wesley Harding. Perhaps more than Another Side. But it's not close to the upper echelon albums of Freewheelin', Times/Changin, BIABH, Highway 61, Blonde, Blood or Desire. Perhaps a step down from Nashville Skyline.
Street Legal is my favorite of the seventies Bob. probably due to the code of the road in where are you tonight?
I like this album a lot! I understand the take that the backing tracks could be from any rock artist of the time, but I think they fit the material. The masterpiece of this album is Changing of the Guards, and I love the bombastic arrangement with the gospel background singers, organ, and big saxophones. It just sounds like one of those songs that has been around forever in one form or another. Although I'm not really a fan of his Christian era, I love when the Christian imagery pops up in songs like this, Sign of the Cross, half of John Wesley Harding, etc. The title drop on this song is one of my favorite moments in Dylan's catalog.
The album may not have another standout like that, but it never gets dull. I really enjoy the melody of Is Your Love in Vain (even if it is something of a rewrite of Can't Help Falling in Love), and Senor is pretty great. The musical arrangement on Desire is more interesting, but this one has a nice, consistent sound. I had a feeling Joe would like this one!
Loved this episode, both Joe and Dylan have some astute observations about Street Legal. As a 16 year old back in 1978 I can tell you that there was a lot of positively towards Bob here in the UK, culminating in the 200,000 strong "picnic" at Blackbushe. Personally I love Street Legal, I know the muddy production is an issue for some, but it has a magical vibe (but yes the 1999 mix is significantly better from an audiophile point of view). Can't wait to see what Joe makes of Slow Train Coming, this ain't Johnny Cash, it's fire and brimstone all the way! 😈 😂
Highway 61 and Blood on the Tracks will always be 1A and 1B for me in terms of my favorite Dylan records, but Street Legal has a pretty steady hold at #3..which is saying something because obviously Blonde on Blonde is one I cherish just as closely. For lack of better articulation, I think it is just such a sexy album. It truly stands out in it's own way, like all Bob albums do. I disagree very much with Dylan's opinion that his voice is lacking on the album, there are certain small deliveries of words throughout the songs on the album that I believe to be some of his most objectively beautiful singing. Such as his "anddddddd" at the 3:00 mark of Changing of the Guards. I hold every song on this album very near and dear to my heart. Usually when I'm introducing someone to Bobby, I know that Street Legal will be more accessible at first to them and it has rarely disappointed in that capacity. Which is why it's so damn good to me, yes it's sound is that of the time, however that blend of late 70's production and Bob's undeniable lyrical magic is a perfect combination to me. Was really looking forward to this episode and I think Joseph will appreciate the dynamic sound of Slow Train Coming, it's undeniably groovy.
Right there with you. I respect Dylan's reasoning for the dislike of the singing and he explained it well but it's probably my fav Dylan studio vocals (along with Triplicate). There's a desperation in the delivery that is up front and demands attention.
I would say the most under-rated, under-appreciated album so far. It falls in the shadow of the BLOOD/DESIRE peak and the controversial Christian albums. Dylan S. has wrestled in vain with STREET LEGAL for some time so it's doubtful he'll ever come around to it any more than he's admitted above. For myself, the murky vinyl mix left me indifferent. Bob infamously self-produced the album, having the band play live in the studio. The result was a mix that sounded muddy, confused and flat. It was only after getting the 1999 remix/remaster version on CD that the true performances were reveal to me. As Joe alluded, this is a fun sounding rock record with plenty of room for the soloist to show their stuff. The use of a female chorus was also fairly unique up to this date and gives a nice push/pull tension to many of the songs. Central though are the intricate lyrics and impassioned vocals by Dylan. His performance seems an extension or outgrowth of what he did on the "Rolling Thunder Revue". He's driving his voice hard and varying his inflections to extend the meaning of each line... like the Dylan of old.
Although the album title is hinted at in the final song, a more accurate title could have been borrowed from Leonard Cohen: SONGS OF LOVE AND HATE.
Street-Legal seemed too anonymous to me on my first listens. There's a couple of songs I don't love on it still. But slowly Señor, No Time To Think, Where Are You Tonight? and Changing of the Guards appeared to me as really good songs. And the latter is just, to me, one of Bob's best songs. A top 10 song, and I'd struggle to choose my top 100. The way he sings every verse just a tiny bit differently and puts the emphasis on different words in the verses. The way he waits a bit here and rushes a bit there. "And the waaiiiiiiiiling of chimes!" It just feels so dynamic. The bass line is awesome. I love the crazy, disjointed backing vocals. And the last minute of music is incredible. Beautiful!
16 years!
I cant wait to hear your opinions on Oh Mercy. I think it’s his masterpiece. I even put it above blood on the tracks.
I think Joe will really like Oh Mercy
I like this one - it is definitely a step down from blood on the tracks and desire which are both 5 star albums. Love every song on street legal and there is great energy to the album. The production and the performances are flawed and there are a few clear mistakes, fluffed lines etc but that is part of the overall charm for me
Good morning guys, i like Street Legal, it would be a good choice for a car trip, better than Blood on the tracks, which is more earphones friendly, Changing of the guards is a great song, my only gripe is the lenght of some songs. It could be at number 7 or 8 in my Bob Dylan albums ranking
One last comment. Check out Patti Smiths version on Changing of the Guards. It’s brilliant and nearly as good as Bobby’s!!
I had it on cassette as a kid in the 80's and I loved it. Steet Legal was dirty and sloppy sounding and that's one of the things that makes it unique. I now have the remastered version on CD which gave it a new life. Although I still wonder why Bob's voice went full nasal at this point and through the 80's.
I love Street-Legal. Like mentioned in the video it is my second favourite Dylan album, but no it is not my second favourite album of all time.
We better talk this over... is my new favorite song
Happy to see Joe enjoy this album. Street-Legal may not be everyone's favorite and I can understand why some or maybe even most Dylan fans would be a bit turned off from it but Street-Legal will always be the best Dylan album to me
The first Street Legal mix wasn't good (not much time was invested), but later that was corrected. The album grew a lot over the years for me.
Señor (the strongest song and the single B-side) always sounded to me like Bob's spiritual search reaching Carlos Castaneda at this point.
Budokan was from the wrong leg of the tour, the concert in Nürnberg was among the best in his career.
I only really like Changing Of The Guards and Señor. I think I would like it more without the horns and backing singers.
Never been a big favourite of mine, but then again the mid seventies when everyone wanted to sound like the Saturday night live band..never did it for me...Bowie's young Americans...Lennon with Walls and bridges...all just soaked in that Sanborn sound...well...here's another...except he's got a choir repeating the last 3 words of every line...I don't hate it, but it's not my favourite..
Never knew you as a Boz Scaggs fan, Joe. Would love for you and Jason to rank his catalog. His albums other than Silk Degrees, Slow Dancer and Middle Man certainly deserve a listen.
Fantastic episode!! I can't wait to see what Joe thinks of Slow Train Coming... It sounds like a Dire Straits album with Dylan singing instead of Knopfler in my opinion. I love it but don't blame anyone for not. Street legal in my opinion is his 14th best album which isn't bad
Jason LOVES Street Legal. He's got it at number 6 (!) He actually has it above DESIRE 🙃
Alternately catchy and chilling, the spiritually hyperactive "Slow Train" is a very interesting album. Hope Joe enjoys it!
i see Joe loving it, the production, grooves and guitar work is all fantastic
New Pony is way too fun to get a 'meh'
Dylan is my favorite artist and Street Legal is my favorite record of his. I don’t think I’d feel this way if I hadn’t heard the early 2000s remix. I really don’t like the original mix. Senor and Changing of the Guard are peak Dylan for me.
Have to admit that the violin sound on Desire doesn’t change enough from song to song. a couple songs would even be OK without it. Still love Desire, but I hear what Joe is saying.
I saw Dylan deep into his born again phase. Sparsely attended, but excellent band.
Not my favorite. As I usually do on this series I mostly agree with Dylan S, except for one element: the lyrics. In '78, I was measuring his work by the sublime '60's masterpieces, so for me he faced a huge task -- living up to his own earlier achievements. When SL came out, I thought the lyrics were pseudo--Dylan: that he was struggling to get back to the other-worldly '60's heights and not succeeding. Now, though, I see that was unfair. For any other songwriter the lyrics to several songs are incredible -- No Time To Think, Where Are You Tonight. Changing of the Guards is much more interesting to me now than in '78, when I heard the words "changing of the guards" as D reaching for the anthemic power of "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and not getting there. What can I say, the record disappointed me, especially after BOTT and Desire, both of which I loved (still do). The songs on those two didn't have the power of the '60's stuff, but were so different from the great 60's work that I felt he was breaking new ground, in a very different direction, whereas I felt on SL he was essentially imitating himself. hese days I take the words on their own merits, and they're remarkable (Tarot cards and all).
The music, though, still fails to rise to what the words are trying to say.
But I gotta say I'm very happy to hear Joe appreciating it. Pushes me to give it another shot.
I’ll take this music over the boring retread of the 60s that was BOTT. - Joe
Joe with definitely a hot take, no way is it better than BOTT or Desire, but Dylan is too harsh as well. I rank this 10 th in his catalog, just ahead of Planet Waves and Oh Mercy. Its highs , like the opener , the closer and Senor are awesome. He had a spat with Neil Diamond backstage at the Last Waltz. I wonder if that influenced this. A definite Neil Diamond vibe
An interesting note: 'hard rain' was recorded at the end of the Rolling Thunder tour and Dylan's voice was strong and powerful. 'Street legal' was recorded i believe only a few months after that and his voice had clearly diminished almost as if the bottom fell out. I think that is why fans were disappointed when it came out. It had nothing of the Hard Rain vibe. But it did have something else. Some undefined magic. Unlike many others i prefer it to Desire. It is one of my favourite Dylab records. Btw, the remix some 10 years ago (?) was a big improvement.
Not entirely accurate, there's the best part of a *two year* gap between Rolling Thunder Part 2 and Street Legal which was recorded in April 1978.
And to add: Street Legal has Dylan at his most naked and soulful. So, despite the musical mess it is alive and kicking. Desire sounds placid in comparison. Slow Train overly controlled. You either get it or you don't. Wee Dylan clearly doesnt. He doesnt hear. That's why he is analysing.
You are confusing diminishing vocals with deliberate vocal change up's like he always does. I have seen Dylan so many times live over the years and I can promise you, he is perfectly able to project his voice in a strong way when he really wants to. There are also tons of songs that never made it onto albums that prove my point further, go listen to Blind Willie Mctell, he sounds amazing and it was recorded in the 80s
Adam Ant penned “Why Do Girls Love Horses” in 1978 and Bob Dylan released the masterpiece “New Pony” the same year. Giddy up! The 80s are comin’
🎶 Ant 🐜 Music 🥁 🎶
@@davidellis5141 😍 🎶
Saddle up and ride your pony 🎶
@@terrybnad2959 😆🎠
Most importantly, I want to know if Joes book is worth buying? I’ve been Dylan mad for a couple of years now, obviously that means I have all the albums but I haven’t dived too much into each song individually, is it good for that?
Oh definitely buy it if you're into Dylan. So much more info in there that must be wonderful for people who actually love Dylan. -- Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic Thanks, I’ll get hold of it then! Love these videos by the way, by far my favourite series on YT right now, I do hope after the studio albums you stick it out for bootlegs and live recordings, but not being a big fan I would understand if you don’t.
After "Desire" this album didn't meet my expectations and as such Street Legal is one of my least listened to Dylan album. Thanks for your review of this album which at least resurrected a bit of interest.
Yeah, this is not as good as Blood On The Tracks or Desire - but it is interesting because of its differentness.
shot of love i my favourite "christian" one
I think Señor, Changing of the Guards, and New Pony are three of Dylan’s masterpieces. The rest of the record is kind of so/so.
Senor is such an amazing song
Journey Through Dark Heat is "so so'? Man, that's cruel.
nice job guys, blood on the tracks is the last bob album that I like. the comment Joe makes about letting the music in is bang on accurate. if bob never recorded a song and ghost wrote everything, the world would be a better place
Imagine not liking masterpieces like Oh Mercy or Time Out of Mind, you should really dig into some of the critically acclaimed later day stuff he put out
Insane comment
I had it on cassette.
This to me is a brilliant record.
It is not as strong as Desire,
but I think its unique and also better than the next 3 records.
The Christian trio albums that would follow do absolutely nothing to me at all.
I admire his devotion,
but I don't like "Preacher Bob".
Wait untill Infidels.
He gets his head on straight then.
Street Legal is great IMOO.
I like the album, bought it some years after Its release in one of my Dylan cold turkey phases, missed it because I hated Live at Budokan.the music sounds messy (background vocals, overall mix), murky (all Instruments together) and sometimes cheesy (saxophone), but ... for some strange reason it works for me. it doesn't sound really mainstream to me, but strange. the music is diluting the strength of the writing and the desperate repetitive pre-gospel energy in his voice. it is not a great Dylan record, but a good one, and i prefer any good Dylan album over any american "well played music". it is just playing in a different league. i especially loved Where Are You Tonight from the start, i love No Time to Think and Changing of the Guards, i always laugh at Is Your Love in Vain. my Dylan buddy back then (we had a band) convinced me of Senor, which is great. The album is not magic like others (Desire only partly, for me) , but it stands the test of time. it is all about voice and lyrics again, i think. (sorry, Joe.) the mainstream band is just a slightly off background Circus band. i like the Gospel singers: they are messy too, but in a strange way it is working for me. (great cover of Changing of the Guards by Patti Smith, and i will check out the cover Dylan Seevey mentioned.)
I've heard this album once, maybe 20 years ago. My verdict at the time was: "Meh".
Might be time to give it another spin...
love is your love in vain and baby stop crying!
One thing missing from Slow Train: magic. Its a super controlled ensemble w a lot of mediocre songs, delivered as if he was forced into it. Trying and not succeeding. It is the one Dylan record that makes me sad..
I like Disaer and Street legal more then Blood on track, SL is last great album from boby
I will not stand for this Street Legal and Changing of the Guard slander
One large reason the critics were unhappy with it was how shitty the original version sounded. I mean, really shitty. Sounded like listening through mud. Then add the horrible mix (what you could hear of it) and the sloppiness. I agree it's flawed -- I was very disappointed and frustrated with its sound when it came out, but I still liked it then for its songs, and still do. I was always saying that they need to remix it and was thrilled when they finally did. Not the best job, but at least you could now finally hear everything.
To be fair all of his albums are sloppy. But this one probably has the worst mix. -/ Joe
Let’s goooooooo
lettttttttttt''''''sssss go
So the bottom of line on this album for me and I bought it when it came out is that there are NO BOB DYLAN CLASSIC SONGS on it. So apart from that opinion I dislike the background gospel singers on every song, it just gets overbearing at times. I a guess I agree more with Dylan on this DYLAN. It is not one I listen to much. On the Sax…well it does not fit nearly as well as SCARLET RIVERAS VIOLIN as a second voice for Dylans music. It is a very live sounding record, you can tell it’s not slick… oh yeah I SAW RENALDO & CLARA in the theater here in L.A. when it came out…Its a trip…mostly a series of scenes featuring Sara as Clara , Joan Baez…as Joan Baez and oh yeah I believe Ronee Blakely Plays MRS. DYLAN !!
80s bob is better than what you hear really enjoying this series
I do think that Street Legal is the most underrated album of Dylan’s catalog. The 1999 remix version brings focus and clarity to both the sound and the lyrics. I like that Joe appreciates the soundscape. Jason, I have to be honest. I’m astonished that this is not one of your favorite Dylan albums. All I’ll say is that I think you over value “New Morning” ( Horrid production to go along with some half baked songs). And you undervalue “Street Legal”.
What do you mean? I like this way more than New Morning. I think it was my #7 when we ranked them. You know that’s not me in these videos right? -Jason
Forgive me , Jason. Meant to say Dylan. Should have had my coffee before responding. And yes, your ranking was right on target!
@@TastesLikeMusic hilarious
I’m just glad you think I’m as attractive as Jason. That’s how I choose to receive this comment.
This is neither here nor there, but would you agree that the last great album ever... is tug of war?
Hahaha….ummmm. No.
Ya, I guess I'll check out this album. I mean, there's worse albums to listen to.