Album #31: Love and Theft

 Released September 11, 2001


Despite the (accidental) horribly bad timing of the release, this is a fantastic album, recorded just after his Oscar win for “Things Have Changed”. This time Dylan (as Jack Frost) produced it himself, and the process was apparently quite streamlined. He had a great collection of musicians. 

The album has been called “a tribute to the blues pioneers of American ballads” and includes many references and influences, including Charlie Patton and even Bing Crosby. It also has more touches of humor than he’s used in many years. It won the Grammy for Best Folk Album. 

I’ve listened to this album many times. The first three songs - Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Mississippi, and Summer Days - are probably my favorites, but every song is excellent. It’s maybe best that Amazon Music can’t tell me exactly how many times I’ve listened to Mississippi. Hundreds?  And that’s not even including the many alternate takes! 

Mississippi:

https://youtu.be/Xaw-kODsFDE?si=5iAX3zqMTu9gSiu_

Well my ship’s been split to splinters and it’s sinking fast
I’m drownin’ in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it’s light and it’s free
I’ve got nothin’ but affection for all those who’ve sailed with me
Everybody movin’ if they ain’t already there
Everybody got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now



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