Record of the Week #1: Nashville Skyline
Forty years ago, Bob Dylan recorded a country album, 'Nashville Skyline' with a new smooth. laid-back voice, with Johnny Cash, seemingly happy with his family, life. In the week following his 68th birthday (May 24, 2009), on the heels of the release of 'Together Through Life' - a deep, dark, beautifl album - I have been thinking alot about Bob Dylan's life and music. And I have been getting into listening to 'Nashville Skyline' again.
'Nashville Skyline' extended age old rural themes begun with 'John Wesley Harding.' A modern country album, Dylan's 'Skyline' fuses folk, rock and country music. But country dominates. Like the Byrds before him and many after, Dylan takes on the role - and sound - of a country singer to tell simple, timeless tales of love and life. Its how he felt at the time and what he wanted to sing about.
Its not 'Blonde on Blonde' - my favorite album - or 'Desire' or 'Blood on the Tracks.' Its not ambitious like those albums. Not dark and deep. Sometimes, on a hot spring day, you just want to lie back, relax, and listen to familiar tales. You don't want to be shaken or stirred - you want to be soothed.
After enjoying a particularly relaxing Memorial Day weekend in the country, its been a hectic week back here in the city, the typical modern American family week of work and school, soccer games and piano recitals. Nothing fits neatly and easily into place. The phrase, "I guess it wasn't meant to be" was uttered more than a few times.
This week, I didn't feel like difficult, challenging, dark.
I felt like 'Nashville Skyline.' Maybe you will,too.
Next Week: Richie Havens.
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