Great Rock Albums of 1978: Bob Dylan- Street Legal

I am convinced that Bob Dylan took note of going electric on "Hard Rain" and used it in the making of "Street Legal." This album marked a major departure for Dylan as he used a complete rock style band and included female backing singers. For some, including many critics in the American press, this was too much and many slammed him for it. Some even accused Bob Dylan of selling out. However, I definitely don't agree with that. Back in 1978, there was disco and there are no disco sounding tracks on "Street Legal." If anyone went disco that year, it would have been the Rolling Stones with "Some Girls."

All I know was when I heard the album back then, I liked it. I believed it was a natural progression from "Hard Rain" and his rocking performance in "The Last Waltz." Furthermore, I did read some good reviews in some good music magazines and others I talked to liked the album as well. Since, I have concluded that critics of this album were stuck in the mind of seeing Bob Dylan standing alone by the microphone, playing an accoustic guitar and singing through his nose. This was a bold change in direction and I think it was good.

Track Listing:

1. Changing of the Guards

2. New Pony

3. No Time to Think

4. Baby, Stop Crying

5. Is Your Love in Vain?

6. Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)

7. True Love Tends to Forget

8. We Better Talk This Over

9. Where Are You Tonight (Journey Through Dark Heat)

Musicians

• Bob Dylan – lead vocals, rhythm electric guitar
• Ian Wallace – drums
• Jerry Scheff – bass guitar
• Billy Cross – lead electric guitar
• Alan Pasqua – keyboards
• Bobbye Hall – percussion
• Steve Douglas – tenor and soprano saxophone
• Steven Soles – rhythm guitar, background vocals
• David Mansfield – violin, mandolin
• James Wright - wardrobe
• Carolyn Dennis – background vocals
• Jo Ann Harris – background vocals
• Helena Springs – background vocals
• Steve Madaio – trumpet on "Is Your Love in Vain?"

First, Bob Dylan will never don denim and leather and totally rock out, but "Street Legal" shows a different side to him. His willingness to pick up an electric guitar and incorporate it in his songs shows that he could adapt. This album is a good cross for die hard Dylan fans who also love a little rock.

Next post: Wings- London Town

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Bob Dylan- Hard Rain

Whenever anyone thinks of Bob Dylan, the first thought that enters people's heads is the image of him playing an accoustic guitar, accompanied by his harmonica and singing folk style songs through his nose. It is true that most of his albums sort of fall into this vein and like me, most people who like Dylan, like him for his lyrics than for his music ability.

Then in 1976, I heard the Hard Rain album and upon hearing it, thought the album really rocked. Gone were the slow accoustic songs replaced by much harder versions on electric guitars. Old classics like "Lay Lady Lay," "Maggie's Farm" and "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again" were given the rock treatment and in this blogger's opinion, sound better for it. Unfortunately, most of the critics at the time didn't share the same views as me and really came down on it. In spite of that, Hard Rain did go gold and peaked at 17 in the charts.

Track Listing:

1. Maggie's Farm

2. One Too Many Mornings

3. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again

4. Oh Sister

5. Lay Lady Lay

6. Shelter From the Storm

7. You're a Big Girl Now

8. I Threw It All Away

9. Idiot Wind

Musicians:

Bob Dylan- lead vocals and guitar

T-Bone Burnett- guitar and piano

Mick Ronson- ~guitar

Steven Soles- guitar

David Mansfield- guitar

Rob Stoner- bass

Howard Wyeth- drums and piano

Gary Burke- drums

Scarlet Rivera- violin

This album was recorded live on Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour and it shows Dylan in a different light. It also shows that Dylan can rock a little.

Next Post: Kansas

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Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle