Bob Dylan

Shadows in the Night

Columbia Records

Street: 02.03

Bob Dylan = Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan’s 36th studio album is covers of Frank Sinatra pop standards—all chosen by Dylan. After spinning this, I have to wonder whether or not there are still signs of vitality in the genius of this artist or if it has packed up and left the building.

Certainly, this latest album demonstrates a certain bare-bones simplicity—a horn, the guitar and Dylan’s longing, signature somehow-this-is-singing vocals. In a way, this album comes across as remarkably humble in tracks “What’ll I do” and with a somewhat nostalgic and defiant attitude in “Why Try To Change Me Now.”

There is also “That Lucky Old Sun” and “I’m A Fool To Want You” that carry the air of painful regret. Unfortunately, I do not find Shadows in the Night capable of holding my keen interest, but it does make for a great 10 songs to get jaded while sipping a bourbon on the rocks. Now let the dissent to this review begin.  –Nick Kuzmack (Nix Beat)