Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. 3 CD

What could the poet, who has been called the spokesman of his generation, possibly have to offer on a third greatest-hits compilation?

Quite a lot, and by listening to these selections you realize the depth of Bob Dylan's musical inventory. This eclectic, quirky collection provides his best literate epics ("Brownsville," written with Sam Shepard), enigmatic gems ("Tangled Up In Blue" from the brilliant BLOOD ON THE TRACKS), masterful gospel classics (STREET LEGAL's "Changing Of The Guard"), effective political narratives ("Hurricane") and timeless pop classics ("Forever Young" and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door"). For the most part, these rock, folk, gospel and blues cuts are selected from less celebrated albums like OH MERCY, DOWN IN THE GROOVE and KNOCKED OUT LOADED. They should serve as entreaties to return to those overlooked treasures.

With all this album's pedigree, the unlikely show-stopper is the previously unreleased "Dignity"--it causes one to pause and note the continuing awesomeness of Dylan's craft and limitless lyrical talent. This album serves as a lesson to all aspiring singer-songwriters. GREATEST HITS, VOLUME 3, indeed--from an artist whose every song is complex perfection.

Personnel: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboards); Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Brent Mydland (vocals, background vocals); Ronee Blakley (vocals); Brendan O'Brien (guitar, keyboards); Daniel Lanois (guitar, percussion); Steven Soles (guitar, background vocals); Danny Kortchmar, Billy Cross, Ira Ingber, Ken Odegard, Mark Knopfler, Mason Ruffner, Mick Taylor , Robbie Robertson, Roger McGuinn, Steve Ripley, Waddy Wachtel, Fred Tackett (guitar); Chris Weber (12-string guitar); George Harrison (slide guitar); Rick Taylor (banjo); David Mansfield (mandolin, violin); Scarlet Rivera (violin); Steve Douglas (saxophone); Steve Madaio (trumpet); Alan Clark (piano, organ); Carl Pickhardt, Richard Manuel (piano); Carl Fortina (spinet, harmonium, organ); Garth Hudson (organ); Barry Beckett (keyboards, percussion); Gregg Inhofer, Al Kooper, Alan Pasqua, Malcolm Burn, Vince Melamed, Benmont Tench (keyboards); Cyril Neville (drums, talking drum); Michael Baird , Steve Gorman, Don Heffington, Pick Withers, Roddy Colonna, Jim Keltner, Kenny Aronoff, Levon Helm, Sly Dunbar, Bill Berg, Ian Wallace, Howie Wyeth (drums); Luther Rix (congas); Bobbye Hall (percussion); Clydie King, Jo Ann Harris, Donna Weiss, Elesecia Wright, Muffy Hendrix, Regina Havis, Helena Springs, Regina McCreary, Madelyn Quebec, Carolyn Dennis, Peggi Blu, Queen Esther Marrow, Brenda Patterson, Carol Hunter (background vocals).

Personnel includes: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Ronee Blakely (vocals); Brendan O'Brien (guitar, bass, background vocals); Mason Ruffner, Danny Kortchmar (guitar); Scarlet Rivera (violin); Steve Douglas (saxophone); Alan Clark (piano, organ); Barry Beckett (keyboards, percussion); Benmont Tench (keyboards); Nathan East (bass); Jim Keltner, Pick Withers, Kenny Aronoff (drums); Cyril Neville (talking drum); Waddy Wachtel, Al Kooper, Roger McGuinn, Don Was, Brent Mydland.

Producers include: Don Devito, Bob Dylan, Chuck Plotkin, Mark Knopfler.

Rolling Stone (5/4/95, pp.63-65) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...If the collection is debatable as a hits package....it's nonetheless classic Dylan..."
Q (1/95, p.265) - 3 Stars (out of 10) - "...these days he's merely a legend and nobody expects that much of legends...[but] there's plenty of things to relish here--Dylan's ability to come up with a new soundscape for every session..."
Mojo (Publisher) (1/95, p.105) - "...The famous tracks need no further comment. They are all, of course, rather more than good....as this collection shows, [Dylan] still chases a kind of vision that most of his contemporaries gave up believing in years ago."
NME (Magazine) (12/3/94, p.43) - 7 (out of 10) - "...These [songs] will remind you that Bob Dylan is human too..."