“Shake Shake Mama” brings back the blues on this tale of infatuation. Considering the narrator’s baby is “walking with the village priest” in “I Feel A Change Comin’ On,” that change is likely marriage. The lyric, “And I just can't wait/ wait for us to become friends,” documents the best part of spending your life with someone, hopefully finding that best friend to live out the rest of your days with.
“It’s All Good” has an upbeat, Zydeco sound to punctuate the positive outlook about life in the face of many troubles. The narrator sings about “Big politician telling lies/…Wives are leavin’ their husbands/…Cold-blooded killer stalkin’ the town.” It would be understandable for someone to give up when “Everywhere you look there's more misery,” yet he makes clear while “It’s hard to believe”…“there’s nothing to worry about, cause it’s all good.” This is a great song to dance the blues away.
While the lyrics don’t contain the same level of poetry and wordplay Dylan has delivered in the past, as evidenced by weak lines like “Down every street there’s a window/ And every window’s made of glass,” the music is the album’s driving force. Dylan and the band delving into different folk music genres on Together Through Life is reminiscent of the field recordings by Alan Lomax, making for a good sampler of the Southern United States.
Article comments
1 - lono
sounds good, I may just finally iTunes it. Sadly, I am not a fan of much Dylan post 1974 (blood on the tracks). However, Mike Campbell rules as does Hunter. Remember, Robert Hunter was Jerry Garcia's lyricist. Chances are, every single Dead song you know... Hunter wrote it. Great work, nice piece.
2 - El Bicho
Thanks. Not a fan of Time Out of Mind, really? I debated mentioning the Dead and Hunter and figured since I see it so much I would give it a pass.
btw, chances are you don't know how many Dead songs I know. ;)
3 - Glen Boyd
Good review EB, but I'm surprised you didn't make mention of the track Forgetful Hearts...killer vocal phrasing on that one.
-Glen
4 - Josh Hathaway
Nice work, El Bicho. I quite enjoy this record myself. It's not a towering force of lyrics, but there are some nice pictures painted with the words and some very good music. It's a pleasant album.