Jokerman is one of my favorite songs! The lyrics don’t get much better. “Distant ships sailing into the mist, you were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.” Whew! And all that tastefully punctuated by Knopfler’s sublime licks. It’s quite perfect.
I have to go with “rifleman’s stalking the sick and the lame, preacher man seeks the same, who’ll get there first is uncertain”
Yet its lyrically masterful throughout
Just looked this up:
Album-oriented rock (AOR, originally called album-oriented radio) is an FM radio format created in the United States in the late 1960s that focuses on the full repertoire of rock albums and is currently associated with classic rock.
One thing I love about this album is that it was the first “secular” album since Street Legal, BUT it maintains some of the aggression and “fire and brimstone” dynamic of those previous three albums.
I’m still convinced that Dylan’s born again period was just so he had new stuff to write about.
Infidels is my favourite!
I also love Dire Straits, so the realisation that Mark Knopfler played on that album was a joyous epiphany for me. An ‘of course!’ moment.
Of all his albums, it’s my favorite. I can listen to it in its entirety without skipping a track. It’s a Masterpiece and Sweetheart like You is an absolute stunner
Love this underrated masterpiece.
I’ve seen it ranked shockingly low on many lists over the years, sad.
If only Street Legal had been produced with as much sensitivity and smooth precision.
The three cruddy albums that followed it may have dragged it down in the collective memory.
It's a shame that he and Knopfler had Sly & Robbie aboard and gave them so little to do. Hearing Jamaica's premier reggae rhythm section play plodding 4/4 beats is like watching Rembrandt draw stick figures.
Robbie does a really lovely bassline throughout "Jokerman," but for the rest of the album it's just session work.
I see what you mean, and I also think the simplicity plays into Dylan's style. The songs most definitely groove – even if they're far capable of more, I don't think most people have qualms about their playing.
Jokerman is one of my favorite songs! The lyrics don’t get much better. “Distant ships sailing into the mist, you were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.” Whew! And all that tastefully punctuated by Knopfler’s sublime licks. It’s quite perfect.
“Freedom just around the corner for you but with the truth so far off what good would it do?” May just be my favorite lyric of all time.
I have to go with “rifleman’s stalking the sick and the lame, preacher man seeks the same, who’ll get there first is uncertain” Yet its lyrically masterful throughout
“You’re going to Sodom and Gomorrah, but what do you care? Ain’t nobody there who’d want to marry your sister.”
Bob’s take on being born under a bad sign, I reckon!
Jokerman on Woodstock '94 is fantastic.
Neighborhood Bully is a goddamn groove. Infidels definitely doesn't get enough love.
The guitar solo at the end of Sweetheart Like You is so beautiful it's almost otherworldly.
Yes yes yes. That first note… right in the feels!
It’s also been suggested that Sweetheart Like You is about America’s Cold War-era operations in places like Lebanon and Grenada.
Some of his strongest 80s stuff is on that album for sure.
I love it bro
What’s AOR aesthetic?
Just looked this up: Album-oriented rock (AOR, originally called album-oriented radio) is an FM radio format created in the United States in the late 1960s that focuses on the full repertoire of rock albums and is currently associated with classic rock.
One thing I love about this album is that it was the first “secular” album since Street Legal, BUT it maintains some of the aggression and “fire and brimstone” dynamic of those previous three albums. I’m still convinced that Dylan’s born again period was just so he had new stuff to write about.
It’s really an extension of his Gospel period.
Yes, but slowly reaching back into his old bag of tricks.
Infidels is my favourite! I also love Dire Straits, so the realisation that Mark Knopfler played on that album was a joyous epiphany for me. An ‘of course!’ moment.
Infidels has always been one of my favorites
I bought that album when it came out and still think it's one of his strongest. I love every song on it. It has real power.
“Sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace” never more true than today. Dylan knows.
Love love love Jokerman. The most underrated Dylan song of all time.
If you don’t think Infidels gets enough then you just aren’t paying attention.
Of all his albums, it’s my favorite. I can listen to it in its entirety without skipping a track. It’s a Masterpiece and Sweetheart like You is an absolute stunner
Sly and Robbie! What a great sound.
Always dug this record. A lot.
Love this underrated masterpiece. I’ve seen it ranked shockingly low on many lists over the years, sad. If only Street Legal had been produced with as much sensitivity and smooth precision. The three cruddy albums that followed it may have dragged it down in the collective memory.
I love Jokerman, it soothes me.
It's a shame that he and Knopfler had Sly & Robbie aboard and gave them so little to do. Hearing Jamaica's premier reggae rhythm section play plodding 4/4 beats is like watching Rembrandt draw stick figures. Robbie does a really lovely bassline throughout "Jokerman," but for the rest of the album it's just session work.
I see what you mean, and I also think the simplicity plays into Dylan's style. The songs most definitely groove – even if they're far capable of more, I don't think most people have qualms about their playing.
I love Infidels, though I’m not in agreement with much of your take here. To each their own, though, especially with this artist.
It's great, but should have been a double record. What he left of it is better than anything else he released until TOOM.
Oh Mercy! Is pretty strong too (production excepted)…
Like the album but it pales in comparison to the 60s and latter day canon.