Best Of Bob Dylan 1978-81?

It always happens. Whenever a new compilation is about to be released, the urge to make yet more of my own re-emerges. The pre-release promo for the new 3CD has duly stirred a filleting of the weaker albums – the 50% of Dylan releases I don’t rate as unalloyed masterpieces - to focus on the gems hidden among weaker material.

Focusing on the three Gospel-era albums - Slow Train Coming (1979), Saved (1980) and Shot of Love (1981) – and their precursor/close relative, Street-Legal (1978), I made a compilation drawn from them (and, in the case of Caribbean Wind, the out-takes):

Changing Of The Guards
No Time To Think
Is Your Love In Vain
True Love Tends To Forget
Where Are You Tonight
Gotta Serve Somebody
Precious Angel
Slow Train
Man Gave Names To All The Animals
Caribbean Wind
In The Summertime
Every Grain Of Sand

I’ve been raving about the compilation ever since. The opening and closing tracks, in particular, are wondrous creations, and have been duly promoted to the Dylan Daily Pantheon of Major Works (many readers will have made the same judgment years ago).

But does this selection mirror your favourites from these four albums? Please let me know via best@dylandaily.com, and I’ll use the responses to draw up a composite The Best Of Bob Dylan 1978-81.


Gerry Smith