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The second half of the 1980s was a dark time for hardcore Dylan fans, as their hero released a string of overproduced, lackluster albums, but the trend was gloriously reversed in 1989 with OH MERCY. The record was produced by Eno acolyte Daniel Lanois, and would help make the Canadian studio wizard a first-call producer, in addition to righting Dylan's reputation. Accordingly for an album made in New Orleans, OH MERCY has a thick, swampy, organic feel that echoes the blues roots so fundamental to Dylan's aesthetic, while simultaneously re-imagining them in a fresh, contemporary setting.
The songs, too, were Dylan's strongest in years. The modal "Political World" and chugging "Everything Is Broken" accurately take the sociopolitical temperature of the times without resorting to pedantry. "Most of the Time" is as full of romantic regret as "What Was It You Wanted" (later covered by Willie Nelson) reeks of emotional aloofness, and "Man in the Long Black Coat" is a mortality meditation as foreboding as anything in Dylan's catalogue. Though Dylan would turn out one more sub-par album after this (UNDER THE RED SKY), OH MERCY nevertheless marked the master songwriter's powerful return and dramatic upswing.
Originally released in 1989, this reissue is a hybrid CD consisting of remastered regular version playable on all players and a super audio CD version for players equipped with the format. 10 tracks. Digipak. Sony. 2003.
This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
Personnel: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar, harmonica, piano, organ); Daniel Lanois (guitar, lap steel guitar, dobro, omnichord); Paul Synegal, Mason Ruffner, Brian Stoltz (guitar); Rockin Dopsie, Rockin' Dopsie (accordion); John Hart (saxophone); Malcolm Burn (keyboards, tambourine); Willie Green (drums); Cyril Neville, Darryl Johnson (percussion).
Audio Mixers: Daniel Lanois ; Malcolm Burn.
Photographer: Suzie Q.
Personnel: Bob Dylan (vocals, 6- & 12-string guitars, guitar, harmonica, piano, organ); Daniel Lanois (guitar, lap steel, dobro, Omnichord); Mason Ruffner, Brian Stoltz, Paul Synegal (guitar); Rockin' Dopsie (accordion); John Hart (saxophone); Malcolm Burn (keyboards, tambourine); Tony Hall, Larry Jolivet (bass); Willie Green, Alton Rubin, Jr. (drums); David Rubin, Jr. (scrub board); Cyril Neville, Daryl Johnson (percussion).
Rolling Stone (11/89) - Ranked #44 in Rolling Stone's "100 Best Albums Of The 80s" survey.
Q (3/93, p.94) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...OH MERCY put him in the studio with Daniel Lanois, who accordingly delivered his usual sticky-in-the-heat-of-the-night feel, and Dylan did the business with 10 superior songs..."
**Super Audio CD (SACD)**
A Super Audio CD player is required to play this CD.
This item will not play on standard CD players.
Bob Dylan - Oh Mercy Songs
Oh Mercy Music Review
Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)    Really good later album
If you read Dylan's book Chronicles, he tells an amusing story about the making of the record. He admits he was uninspired and then talks about a hand injury that made him wonder if he had to give up his career. After the injury, this album came from his new songs that he felt were the most inspired in a long time. And it shows, this was a really good record but it got forgotten in between a fairly poor period of albums by the man. The sound is kind of dark, mostly acoustic but with harder driving guitars and morose organ in the background. The songwriting's top notch and musically he and the session guys are truly inspired. Dylan called U2's producer Daniel Lanois because he thought he was the only guy he wanted to work with, and he wanted to be challenged instead of doing the same kind of production work he'd done before. If you like Dylan, this is one to have, it's very good. Several of the songs on this record have been covered by other artists, you might recognize them, but Dylan does it with the full passion of the original. Plus the songs, Political World and Everything is Broken speak to the cynicism and desperation of our times, so the CD is quite relevant today.
Submitted by Andrew M. (Santa Rosa, CA)
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 LISTEN TO IT!
If you don't like this album, I don't want to know you.
Submitted by crazyfingersjunkmail (portland OR)
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This review is for a different format.
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