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After using SLOW TRAIN COMING, SAVED and SHOT OF LOVE as sounding boards for his born-again Christianity, Bob Dylan took a trip to Israel amidst rumors that he was repudiating his new faith and embracing his Judaic roots. Upon returning from his overseas excursion, Dylan went straight into the studio with co-producer Mark Knopfler and emerged with INFIDELS, a record that found the legendary singer-songwriter recording songs that were more of a political nature than a religious one.
Backed by a band that includes Knopfler and ex-Stone Mick Taylor on guitar and the legendary reggae rhythm section of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, Zimmy's biting songs don't lack for solid musical support. Speaking out with conviction, Dylan uses the hard-driving "Neighborhood Bully" to praise Israel's fortitude amidst a sea of hostile Arab relations, while the feisty troubador rips into corporate greed within the barrage of twangy country guitar that defines "Union Sundown." "Jokerman," one of Dylan's most enduring songs, offers a flirtation with reggae, with Dylan blowing away on harmonica as Knopfler provides the perfect accompaniment with his distinctive guitar work.
Recorded at the Power Station, New York, New York.
Personnel: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar); Mark Knopfler, Mick Taylor (guitar); Alan Clark (keyboards); Robbie Shakespeare (bass guitar); Sly Dunbar (drums, percussion).
Personnel: Bob Dylan (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Mark Knopfler, Mick Taylor (guitar); Alan Clarke (keyboards); Robbie Shakespeare (bass); Sly Dunbar (drums, percussion); Clydie King (background vocals).
Infidels - Let's Not Begrudge the Questioner His Answers The enduring enigma of Dylan's personal beliefs permeates "Infidels".
When it was released, the now clearly ridiculous wave of baby boomer's misplaced anger and rampant revisionist hysteria regarding Dylan only continued. Ironically, those who had so benefited from the one person who had the guts and genius to ask the brutal questions that his time demanded now seemed to begrudge Bob his own attempts at some answers.
While the relentless riffs and stainless steel rhyhmes of "Jokerman" and "Sweetheart Like You" clearly demonstrate a great artist at the hight of his powers, the track of tracks of this overlooked masterpiece is "I and I". Here Dylan confronts his own rambling soul and the costs of a life of suspended disbelief. And he does so in a fashion that makes the gods of poetry weep.
Buy it. If you conclude I'm wrong, listen harder. And use an amp that goes to eleven. Submitted by matthew__delaney (Denver, CO, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
One of my favorite Dylan CD's It's pretty intense too, in terms of mood. There's some highly cryptic lyrics in some songs I've never figured out while others are fairly obvious. The cool thing is Dylan slams the deceivin' Devil in all its manifestations in the most chilling and wry manner, which sort of surprised me with the direct manner of lyric he does on that one with a desperate sounding vocal that chills to the bone. And then he tackles union and corporate corruption to the point that he makes your hair stand on end warning you that you might someday have your home garden outlawed. He also tackles a number of other deep issues on the guns and violence front, and writes one of his greatest songs ever, Sweatheart Like You which runs the gamut of the political and personal telling the story of what sounds like the tragedy of a woman trapped as the lover of a mobster or corporate criminal. Really great stuff, incredibly tuneful and rockin', but not easy listening. Submitted by Andrew M. (Santa Rosa, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Timeless lyrical content I was a freshman in '79 and remember "Serve Somebody" being the last new Dylan single I heard all through high school. Then I caught an episode of "Fridays" with Dylan as musical guest in late '83. "Neighborhood Bully" was the song I remember most, with Mick Taylor peeling off wicked slide licks throughout. I went to the record store the next day to buy the album and the hippie at the cash register exclaimed "This is a GREAT record". I say the same thing today. Neighborhood Bully is timeless, as are Union Sundown and Man of Peace. This record should be remixed and re-released! Submitted by crayryan (Martinsburg WV) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Bob's Lost Years Infidels sort of fell through the cracks during a time when Bob Dylan wasn't cool. At least not to reviewers. With the rock solid rhythm section of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare and with Dylan, Mark Knopfler and Mick Taylor on guitars this is, first of all, the work of a terrific rock'n'roll band. The fact that it also features Bob's best set of songs for the decade doesn't hurt either. Highlights are Jokerman, License to Kill and I and I.
Conclusion: Dylan the bandleader is in full control. Great stuff! Submitted by thomas_labelle (Thunder Bay ON Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful. This review is for a different format.
Not perfect but pretty darn good Bob album I was pleasantly surprised at this disc, which I somehow had overlooked until now. Jokerman is a great song, one that doesn't get a lot of attention. His pro-Israel song Neighborhood Bully is a bit obvious but still pretty rockin. Bob is at his best when he's angry, and he seems more overtly political than ever on this album, turning in his once-a-decade pro-union song here in Union Sundown. The reggae-ish I and I is unusual for Bob but very enjoyable. Only Sweetheart Like You and License to Kill really disappoint.
Mark Knopfler's guitar playing is sublime throughout. Sonically, the SACD layer sounds FANTASTIC. When I closed my eyes, I could imagine there was a 20 foot tall Bob Dylan in my living room. It was a little scary. Submitted by robm42 (Albany, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Infidels - Let's Not Begrudge the Questioner His Answers
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