Together Through Life
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4.7
Average of 12 reviews
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I'm a huge Bob Dylan fan, I'm sure that's no surprise to anyone ... but at the same time, I've had a complicated relationship with his music my whole life, and I finally think I understand why. It all comes down to his voice and what that voice brings to the songs. Honestly, I've never been a fan of his early folk work, and I've come to realize that I didn't connect with the music because it lacked a certain authenticity. Sure, the songs were brilliant, any of them could have been performed by Woody Guthrie, or by countless other artists who emerged from the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. But the thing is, Dylan didn't come from that world, yet here was this young guy trying his hardest to emulate his heroes, singers with voices that carried the weight of miles walked, voices weathered by years of performing without amplification, and decades of smoking and drinking. I can only imagine what Dylan's early works would have sounded like if he had just been himself, embracing the voice he was born with. Of course, Dylan's styles have evolved over the years, from the folk hero of his early albums, to the electric blues/rock genius of Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61, the surrealistic poet of Blonde On Blonde, the down-home country boy of The Basement Tapes, to the sweet country sounds of Nashville Skyline, and right up to the present. All of these voices were authentic in their own way, though one could argue that each represented a different facet of Bob Dylan, meaning none were entirely genuine. But here, on Together Through Life, I finally feel like I'm hearing the real Bob Dylan after nearly forty years of music. And I think that's why this album has been so poorly received by many. People have dismissed this album, saying it sounds like it was hastily put together during a tour, others have criticized Jack Frost's production, while some argue that the songs were just fleeting thoughts that should have been revisited and polished before being released. But not me, for the first time in my life I feel that Dylan has truly embraced his voice, a voice that after countless years of touring is finally authentically his ... damaged, raw, blistered, exhausted, grinding his words out from the back of his teeth, and shaking with an honesty that demands more than just a casual listen; and to me, that marks perhaps the first real turning point in the career of Bob Dylan. The songs capture a moment that stands proudly alongside Beggar’s Banquet by the Rolling Stones [perhaps their most honest record, though Let It Bleed could certainly be mentioned in the same breath]. Together Through Life takes us on an adventure again, something Dylan hasn't done in years, and something I've been eagerly waiting for. Where does this record take you? Well, that's up to you ... for me, Together Through Life finally brings Dylan back to Gallup, New Mexico, the place he says he first learned to be a song and dance man while working for the carnival, a place where there's always dust in the air, and the trains run right through the middle of town 24 hours a day. This album was old and tired before it was recorded, the jacket was worn, the record scratched, and has pops in just the right places. This is the album it took Bob Dylan nearly 50 years to grow into, and as I listen to it, there’s a smile of satisfaction crossing my face as I look into the old man on the cover who’s looking back at me, for the first time in his life, owning his voice, and the honesty that goes with each of the songs you’re gonna hear.
I suppose this one's no longer in print? Fantastic album. I'd love a gatefold, but the cover's still pretty good as is
... this is simply amazing, it even brings back memories of NOBEL WORTHY lyrics and live music!! Thanks a lot Mr. Dylan,
Found some tiny imperfections on the vinyl towards the end of side B, leading to a few clicks, but apart from that, the pressing is fantastic. It's perfectly flat, well-centered, and has no surface noise. Plus, Daniel Krieger's mastering is top-notch, giving the songs a lovely warmth and ensuring each instrument is crisply distinct.
The audio quality is incredibly crisp and sharp. I was really just looking forward to hearing the cymbals resonate.
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