As the music released over the past twelve months is assessed, Bob Dylan’s Tell Tale Signs invariably emerges as one of the best albums of 2008. You won’t get any argument here that it ranks among the finest (if not the overall best) music released this year. Regarding it within the context of an album, though, strikes this writer as a bit precarious in describing this staggering collection.
Primarily comprised of alternate, live, and demo versions of tracks previously issued on proper albums, it isn’t comparable to altogether original recordings issued as isolated creative efforts.
As well, considering the caliber of music in question – that it’s culled from one of the strongest, most fertile eras in Dylan’s storied career – with rare exception, any possible contender inevitably pales in comparison. It’s like critiquing the latest crop of new fiction and then, incidentally, a Faulkner manuscript is unearthed and submitted for analogous scrutiny.
That said, what Tell Tale Signs undoubtedly achieves is in demonstrating how Dylan, rather than being overshadowed by his own back pages – a fate he’d succumbed to with ambivalence for much of the ‘80s – reassessed his creative purpose and recommitted to his craft.
Even in this set’s most embryonic performances, like the piano demo of “Dignity” or the transitory shuffle that drives the first of two included takes of “Mississippi,” the foundation is solid and primed for more refined productions, culminating, in these instances, on Greatest Hits Volume 3 and Time Out of Mind, respectively.
Other alternate cuts, which feature more fleshed-out arrangements, rival and in some cases arguably eclipse the quality of their more familiar counterparts. Such is strikingly the case with “Someday Baby,” as Dylan steels an incessant rhythm and swagger, asserting a far more ominous tone than the honky-tonk rumble on Modern Times. Also, his guttural, unctuous romp through “Can’t Wait” and pensive, unaccompanied take on “Most Of The Time” could have just as well made the final cut on their intended albums.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
The only thing that could have made this collection better was liner notes by Dylan explaining why these versions didn't work for him. I imagine plenty of musicians would sell their soul to have the ability to create music this good, yet Dylan didn't think they made the grade. Crazy.