Of course, Bob Dylan's 1960s output is legendary and unassailable,
but I also have a great affection for his mid-1970s trilogy of "Blood on
the Tracks", "Desire" and "Street Legal" albums.
"Desire" is probably the Dylan album I have
played the most, and it has captivated me since I borrowed the record from
Chester library (remember to check for scratches) over 30 years ago. It closes
with the 5 minute "Sara", a heartfelt and sweet love song to Sara
Lownds, his wife since 1965. "Blood on the Tracks" had exposed marital
difficulties, but they had briefly reconciled by the time of this recording. Unusually
it seems she was actually in the studio for the first take of this song.
It is definitely his most personal and most explicit, as he
expresses real emotions - a affectionate portrait of his wife and family life
with the children. He flashes through their family holidays and precious memories
- children playing on a beach, camping in the woods, "drinkin' white rum in a Portugal bar"
or a marketplace in
Savanna-la-Mar (Jamaica). It is as if he is flicking through a family photograph
album. It is unknown whether these images
are from his real life, but they work as they are so evocative of any life.
There is also an
intriguing memory of writing the epic "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands"
song for her in the famous Chelsea Hotel. There is no disguising in the chorus
of "Sara, oh Sara, Beautiful lady, so dear to my
heart" and "sweet love of my life". Even in his simplest love song, he still cannot
resist a poetic flourish or mystical allusion (" Scorpio Sphinx in a
calico dress" "Glamorous nymph
with an arrow and bow").
His voice is warmer and
not as abrasive as the 1960s folk singer. The backing comes from his guitar,
his beautiful harmonica (I love his harmonica sound so much), unobtrusive drums
and Scarlet Riveria's swirling violin.
It is performed in a waltz pattern and a
minor key, again unusual for Dylan.
Towards the end, his doubts reappear, "You must forgive me my unworthiness".
The beach is empty now, there is a bleakness as he pleads " Don't ever
leave me, don't ever go.".
The song did not succeed in that respect, as she divorced
him in 1977, but it remains a rare moment to see behind the mask and Bob Dylan
at his most vulnerable.
Hear
Now
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma7BK2MJNqo
Hear
Next
- Again, "Blood on the Tracks",
"Desire" and "Street Legal" are truly great Dylan albums,
the best way to enjoy his "middle" years.
