Album #22: Infidels

 Released October 27, 1983


Secular music (but still a lot of Biblical imagery) and a return to protest songs! This album features fantastic musicians (Mark Knopfler, Mick Taylor, Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, Ron Wood) and some great songwriting from Dylan. It’s also famous for what’s not on it - “Blind Willie McTell,” which many consider one of Dylan’s best songs. Why he left it off the album is a mystery. It’s available on one of his bootleg albums. 

I have a lot of favorites on this album, including “Man of Peace,” “Union Sundown” and “I and I,” but my absolute favorite is “Jokerman”. I’ve listened to it countless times. I still don’t really understand it, but I find it both mesmerizing and strangely relaxing. 

Blind Willie McTell: Bob on piano, Knopfler on 12-string acoustic guitar:

https://youtu.be/_AIRdU6CPf0?si=4N2F_FqCkzl_Lsna

Jokerman:

https://youtu.be/-QlEFqVTjPk?si=B8PrNg_P3_SdV8Z2


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