If only Dylan just grabbed his acoustic guitar and played these tunes live into a microphone - no band, no production. I'm grateful for all his records, though, just as they are. I guess I wouldn't really change a thing. Real good review, John. I like how you managed to say some nice things about even this one. - Bob
Agree that it was over produced....seem to remember many of the lyrics had film noir references/quotes. The songs were far better live and stripped down. Enjoyed your review...as always.
I guess I’m the exception. I love the record. I think people are way too hard on this collection. Production wise, it brings to mind the work of the Waterboys. And who cares what clothes he wears on the cover? The songs overall are quite strong.
Good job John. Well, this is a disappointing album albeit with one or two highlights, Dark Eyes being my standout track. I love the bootleg version of Tight Connection, shame the one on this album is so overdone. Will look forward to the McCartney reviews.
Have you heard the Girl from the North Country musical version of Tight Connection To My Heart? I think it's absolutely brilliant and would make most people re-evaluate the song, especially the Has Anybody Seen My Love chorus. For me it's one of those cover versions that shines a whole new light on the original composition.
James Woolf is that the same JW of Fulham theatre with beer bottle fame?! I always liked the original version from Infidels session entitled ‘has anybody seen my love?’...will check out this other version you mention
@@johnheaton5667 Great, me too. You bringing Grolsch to open at the same time as Colin Warrant. Simon says he's going to make contact and arrange an evening where we chat and listen to Dylan remotely.
Nice nuanced review John. My opinion of “Empire Burlesque” has shifted a lot over the years - I’ve always loathed the 80’s production and the cover art, but the last few times I’ve listened, I’ve felt that there are good songs to be found - most of them actually, but there just is something oft putting about the overall presentation to me... I went to a dreadful Dylan concert within a year after this album came out, (Tom Petty opened for him), and strangely, the only thing that stood out to me was the performance of “Clean Cut Kid”, which had a great groove - but the rest of the show was a mess. Bob did a tribute to Ricky Nelson, who had recently passed away, with a cover of “Lonesome Town” which was well meaning, but Bob’s vocal, unfortunately, was awful...I’ve always felt that “Trust Yourself” was an underrated Dylan song - You may be familiar with the bootleg version of “Night Comes Falling From The Sky” with members of The E Street Band performing on it, but apparently Dylan felt that it was just too Springsteen sounding to put it on the record - understandable, but the version that ended up on the album was just ridiculous, lol - I guess it remains as a real oddity, is the best thing I can say for it... P.S. I’ve long felt that the woman pictured on the back cover looked rather like Olivia Arias to me..
H you went to Exeter - I was at Bristol being a Weston Super Mare native. I love infidels but stopped buying Dylan until the Daniel Lanois years, So I haven’t ever heard Empire Burlesque. Think I need a listen.
When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky is actually my favourite song from Empire Burlesque...only the version on the album is terrible. But if you watch the live doc Hard To Handle from 1986, Bob with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers perform the song as it should be, a real rocker.
Hi John. I will be visiting Budapest next weekend. Are there any Vinyl Shops worth checking out. Also any Budapest insights/must sees would be appreciated. Not a great Dylan Album at all. Cheers E
Was top ten really because at that time they listed various artist compilations in the same chart..A brilliant album, with overbearing production on most tracks..
Hi John. Would you believe my mum had a Colin Baker coat made for me back in '87. I'm actually at my folks' house at the moment, so I'll get her to take a photo of me in it, and send it along on FB later. I don't know Empire Burlesque at all, doesn't sound like one to put on top of any wants lists. Squire of Gothos is a fantastic Trek episode.
Artist like Dylan should never go for contemporary commercial success. His worth was always destined to be what he would accomplish over the long term. I think this is something Neil Young understood early in his career and so was able to avoid these mistakes.
I don't see it that way at all. Neil was experimenting with a lot of different sounds during that time. Trans is experimental and a pretty interesting listen. It is a little out there, I'll give you that. Albums like Hawks And Doves, Reactor, Old Ways, Life, This Note's for you, Freedom are all pretty solid efforts and very much what would be expected from Neil. Everybody's Rockin is a fun album that he put together as a metaphorical finger to David Geffen. Ironically it did net him some commercial success as well, as did This Note's For You.
I wound go that far to call it his worst. That honour is still between knocked out loaded. Which is only saved by brownsville girl. So it has to be down in a groove. Or down in a rut my fiancy calls it.
