on 2009-05-31 dscanland Said:

Fantastic review Don! You've got me interested enough that I just might give Together Through Life a shot. Thanks!
Not Rated

on 2009-05-29 don1969 Said:

Bob's with his new self produced Together Through Life or maybe a more fitting title Dylan sings Howlin Wolf. The vocals are so raw and rough, it takes you back to the sound and vibe of the old Chess Records . I am sure they will not sit well with some who will say Dylan's voice is gone, but I like em. The opener sounds like Who's Been Talking the great Wolf tune, with some great Mike Campbell guitar work. How Dylan got the co-writer with Willie Dixon on My Wife's Home Town since Willie has passed on, but the performance is a down and dirty slow burn with more gravel edge vocals and a terrific accordion .

Forgetful Heart sounds like it could have been on Time Out Of Mind great mid tempo groove, but without the Daniel Lanois atmosphere style production. The thing Dylan's got going on with this record and in general, with his body of work is he is more like Muddy Waters and great jazz artists just laying it down, but it get precious when he gets the Pop Idol tied to him instead of a working artist.

The lyrical work is missing for me on this recording, with Robert Hunter of Dead fame doing the majority, in collaboration with Dylan, but the dry sense of humor does surface at times which leads me to believe Dylan still has his hand on the control.

Bob takes you out with three beauties Shake Shake Mama, I Feel A Change Comin' On and the closer It's All Good and I think it is, just ride that groove with some very tasty guitar a guy who can sing the blues with the best of them and ... It's All Good.

Stand Out Tracks: Beyond Her Lies Nothin', My Wife's Home Town, It's All Good.



Rating: 8/10