May 3–10, 2001

cd reviews|roots

Various Artists

A Nod to Bob: An Artists’ Tribute to Bob Dylan on His 60th Birthday

(Red House)

Later this month the venerable Bob Dylan, magical weaver of word dreams who daringly paired Woody Guthrie’s folk legacy with rock, will turn 60. Red House Records, based in Dylan’s home state of Minnesota and particularly moved by the milestone, has prevailed upon its artists to contribute to this enthusiastic appreciation. As may be expected, some tracks are more heartfelt than others. Eliza Gilkyson puts her heart into "Love Minus Zero." However, her backup band sounds like perfectly competent musicians taking breaks on a song they’ve never heard before and don’t particularly care to again. The Paperboys, by contrast, give "All Along the Watchtower" an evolved setting, one they have clearly been working on for some time. Geoff Kelly’s flute and whistle make it clearly Celtic, as does the fiddle; flamenco-tinged guitar and banjo coloring outside the lines add fuel to the flames. Ramblin’ Jack Elliot tells a tale of "Don’t Think Twice" and then sings it with the same conviction he’s put into it for the last 35 or more years. Guy Davis’ reading of "Sweetheart Like You" is perfect. He gives it his quirkiest vocal twists, making us wonder if the character is drunk or cynical or both? The bluesy accordion only underscores our doubts.

—Mary Armstrong