Triplicate

Give me Dylan singing his own creations because thats what his voice was meant to do. Him sing other people's stuff especially when the orchestration is so bland & uninspiring is something I cant tolerate.

These songs and interpretations can only be understood if you've survived the ups and downs of life and the desire to have faith in love, finding love, losing a love. The songs are impeccable, poetic and timeless. Dylan's delivery of them is sublime and restrained. Be brave and download some of the most unfamiliar songs. I'm glad I did. I took a chance. I skipped the too familiar Sinatra tunes. Reminds me of my parents' era a bit too much. But I find the following tunes irrestable and I continue to listen to them over ane over again. Where Is the One, I Could Have Told You, Why Was I Born, It's Funny to Everyone But Me, But Beautiful, PS I Love You, Imagination, Once Upon a Time, My One and Only Love, This Nearly Was Mine and That Old Feeling . . are interpretations that will win you over as to their significance and why Bob has offered them. They are melodic, universal, warm and insightful moments we all know or hope to know. Dylan and band keep it warm and straight forward. The simplicity works because less is more. The songs I've listed are melodic, mellow. Imagination is upbeat . . all of them are charming. Dylan doesn't quite croon, but he doesn't cross a line he shouldn't. As he sings these tunes, (too me) he testifies love can really hurt sometimes . . and explains how he manages to actually sing in pitch, tune. Knowing that, any voice can carry a tune on the subject if you've been there. You just have to admit you've been crushed a time or two . . and you'll be singing along. And that's why I say it might not be for the younger listener. With that, the band is "all in" with Bob wherever he wants to go. These songs are about heart and soul-so is music. I'm with 'em. Dylan, I didn't like you as a kid growing up in the 60s and 70s, but I sure love you know. Thanks brutha.

He’s out of tune. He’s wobbly. He’s creaky. He was supposed to have been the one that killed off this type of song. Now he embraces them in all their mundanity. He not busy being born is busy dying, indeed.

Dylan has never performed for you or me. He performs for himself and goes where his muse takes him. While turning to the 'GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK' could have been the act of an old man who ran out of ideas, this is anything but. Dylan is serving up a magnificent tribute to the musical culture of his youth. He isn't angry anymore, he doesn't sneer or indict. He is now the troubadour who invites us to join in. His voice, while still evidencing the gravelly blues man vibe he's been rolling out for the last 20 years or so, is as gentle and (dare I say it) melodic as one could hope from a 75 year old 'rock star'. The arrangements are tight; the band is wonderful. I view TRIPLICATE (as well as SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT and FALLEN ANGELS) as a continuation of his salute/homage to folk (the abortive SELF PORTRAIT, and GOOD AS I BEEN TO YOU and WORLD GONE WRONG). He's laying out his influences...his foundation, but not in an overtly sentimental or maudlin manner. These songs still live for him. He doesn't roll out a schmaltzy big band treatment...he reveres these songs too much to make them novelties. At the age of 75, he is working harder than 'artists' 50 years his junior. He's revolutionized the music world at least twice...he's done the rock star cliche...he's had the women, the drugs, the press adulation. Now he's doing this for himself. And, as has been the case for the last 54 years, he doesn't care if you follow along or get it. He shares his muse and invites you to come along. It's almost dark...I wonder what the next leg on his journey will be.

Why do this?

So many top artists of his time signal the end of their career 2 ways. 1. an album of old standards covers (like this), and stints in Las Vegas! (I live in Las Vegas - and see it all the time). More power too them. 2 stars because I was never a big Dylan fan.

Swell interpretation of standards. Listen accordingly.

Love this exploration of the Great American Songbook. Of the three this one was the best. First, I want to say that the arrangements here blew me away. I love the addition of the horns this time by his co-arranger, but Dylan's own arrangements add new quality to the sound of these songs. Second, Bob Dylan's Frank Sinatra covers stand on their own as a body of work by a monumental figure about another one and a predecessor, and for that alone it is both enjoyable and revelatory. Third, I have purchased and reviewed the two previous volumes and addressed the haters, and I now think that was a mistake as they are not willing to see one bit of influence from Traditional Pop music on Dylan's work. Truth is Dylan was not born in a vacuum but as a human influenced by everything that was going on around him, and not just a few things like rock 'n roll or beat poetry. He was influenced by Sinatra and the Great American Songbook. Fourth, Dylan adds to these works not only by his arrangements but by taking works he would never create in a million years and breathing new life in them! Finally, I now listen to older Bob Dylan songs in a new way and that is the true gift of these three albums of covers! It's yours too if you choose to be open and really listen. Bravo Bob, Bravo!

I think Bob's having one on us. What makes him great is his songwriting (and arguably the delivery of his own material.) He's never been a great singer and these songs need a great singer. An extra star because he's Bob Dylan.

The 21st century prophet speaks without speaking.