Somewhere during 1976 and early 1977 Bob Dylan found religion and became a born again Christian. Slow Train Coming, released August 20, 1979, would reflect that new found faith. At its best it is melodic and evangelical. At its worst it is an unforgiving sermon lacking in Christian charity.
Dylan had hired the legendary Jerry Wexler to produce the album. He had no idea as to what Dylan had in mind beforehand, but would provide guidance and ultimately an almost perfect production for the project. The other important selection was that of guitarist extraordinaire Mark Knopfler. He plays with a crystal clear sound and from the opening notes provides some of the best guitar sounds to grace a Dylan album in years.
This is an album that people either love or hate. It was controversial when released but sold well, reaching the number three position on the national charts. Many fans were angry at this change of direction but an additional group of admirers were attracted to his new found Christianity. “Gotta Love Somebody” is a smooth tune that just flows easily past the senses. It is insightful if unforgiving. The song would win the Grammy Award for the best rock vocal performance of 1979.
“Slow Train” is about the kingdom of God which is inexorably coming. “When He Returns” is another song about Christ’s return and is one of the better tunes on the album. The imagery is classic and the song’s presentation pure gospel.
“I Believe In You,” is representative, at least for me, of the album as a whole. The melody is beautiful but the lyrics are overwhelming. “Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking” is straight from Philippians, chapter 2 but with wonderful horns in support, which no doubt would have surprised St. Paul. “Do Right To Me Baby (Do Unto Others)” is the Golden Rule set to music. “Man Gave Names To All The Animals” is a welcome addition as it is humorous and finds Dylan in a playful mood. I wish more of the album would have taken this tone.
Slow Train Coming finds a passionate and serious Dylan. The music is catchy and there is a vision that runs throughout. It all depends on how a listener approaches that vision. There can be no doubt that the songs are a sincere expression of his beliefs but in some regards it remains a difficult listen and is not an album I reach for very often.
Article comments
1 - Al Barger
This right here was a great record, one of Dylan's best both in terms of songwriting - particularly MELODY writing, and arrangement/production sound.
The righteous Christian thing might put some folk off, but it's certainly of a piece for Dylan's personality and career-long personnae. He has ALWAYS loved to wag that FINGER OF JUDGMENT. Whether he's wagging it at evil racists over Hattie Carroll or sinners who won't accept Jesus, the underlying point is pretty much the same.
Also, "I Believe in You" is one of the most beautiful and loving songs (lacking that judgment thing) that the man ever wrote.
On a personal note, as a high school student at the time, I used to burn up "Gotta Serve Somebody" on the jukebox down the block at lunchtime - most often in combination with the thematically related Alice Cooper classic "Got to Hell." Good times.
2 - dan
at least get the song titles right for god's (pun intended) sake: gotta SERVE somebody (Not: gotta LOVE somebody) -- how anybody could take any of your review with even an iota of credibility when you can't get that right is beyond me
3 - David Bowling
Greetings Dan. Thanks for the pun and reading the review so closely. You were actually the first one to notice it so you have a good eye. I have contacted an editor and there should be a correction soon.
4 - Gary
Dylan actually converted to christianty in late 1978 or early 1979 but still a good review as has been all of your Dylan album reviews so far.
5 - El Bicho
"Bob Dylan has finally confirmed in an interview what he’s been saying in his music for 18 months: He’s a born-again Christian. Dylan said he accepted Jesus Christ in his heart in 1978 after 'a vision and feeling' during which the room moved: 'There was a presence in the room that couldn’t have been anybody but Jesus.'"
From an LA Times article on November 23, 1980, which I found within seconds by doing a little research on the Internet.
6 - David Bowling
El Bicho is speaking about the famous Tucson, Arizona hotel room conversion experience. It seems though that Dylan had been moving in a fundementalist direction for some time as he was under alot of pressure. His time with the Vineyard Fellowship would futher solidify his born again Christianty.
7 - kevin cramsey
I agree with some previous comments that this album is unique in that it is produced much better than most of Dylan's albums, obviously because of Jerry Wexler's oversight. Trying to take the preachiness out of the equation -- which is, of course, not easy -- the album still manages at least three or four songs that stand the test of time. "Serve Somebody," "Slown Train" and the beautiful "Precious Angel" rise above the heavy handedness and overt religiousness of the lyrics of the entire album. While the first two songs are somewhat angry in tone, "Angel" is a beautiful song made all the more so by Mark Knopfler's tasteful fret work. Unfortunately, "Saved" came next and that didn't have any songs that rose to the level of the best of the "Slown Train" songs.
8 - Mark Saleski
i love this record. sure, Knopfler was a big factor. heck, after all these years, i even like it when Dylan sounds like he just pulled something during "I Believe In You"
9 - JOHN T HUMPHREYS
PRAISE JESUS, AND PASS ALONG THE DYLAN ALBUMS ....... ALL OF THEM CAN BE USED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. AND HE DOES USE THEM ......... JOHN T HUMPHREYS "GOSPELS GLORY ROAD" HEARD ON KOHO 101.1 SUNDAY MORNS AT6AM PST .. GO TO ICICLE BROADCASTING INC IN THE NET TO LISTEN LIVE .... BOB IS STILL THE BEST I HAVE TO OFFER ....... JOHN T HUMPHREYS
10 - El Bicho
I am only going by what Bob said. You may well be right, but offer nothing in the article to back your position.
11 - Steads
Dylan Gospel Resources.