What Are You Listening To?

[Thraak]

1)"Wiggle Wiggle" – 2:09
2)"Under the Red Sky" – 4:09
3)"Unbelievable" – 4:06
4)"Born in Time" – 3:39 (later covered in 1998 by Eric Clapton on his 'Pilgrim' album)
5)"T.V. Talkin' Song" – 3:02
6)"10,000 Men" – 4:21
7)"2 X 2" – 3:36
8)"God Knows" – 3:02
9)"Handy Dandy" – 4:03
10)"Cat's in the Well" – 3:21

Often underrated album in Bob Dylan's extensive back catalogue. Received an utterly ruthless panning at the time of it's release and still to this day. It is pretty obvious though that this is not the quintessential Dylan record; it is a collection of light-hearted and laid back rock/pop songs which were evidently written for his then four year old daughter's enjoyment. This appears to be confirmed on the album's liner notes which read 'For Gabby Goo Goo' (a nickname for his daughter at the time).

On this record there are number of discreet collaborations, many of which with some of the most famous and much-loved musicians in the industry including pianist Elton John (2X2), Guns 'N' Roses axeman Slash (Wiggle Wiggle- which has been continously immortalised throughout the past 20 years as Dylan's all time worst song), Jimmie Vaughan & his brother Stevie Ray who died just months after his appearance on this album (10,00 Men, God Knows, Cat's In The Well). George Harrison even guests as guitarist on the title track.

Despite the heavy criticism from both fans & critics, I find this a very enjoyable album. 'Under The Red Sky' has been overly criticised IMO and after reading the reviews you would expect to hear something utterly repulsive to the ear and totally unlistenable although what you get is simply a less diverse and lyrically complicated album than the ones which Dylan is known for.

The problem that critics have with artists like Neil Young and Bob Dylan is that they expect them to keep churning out the same identical product over and over again so that it fits into their pre-conceived perception of what is 'acceptable' by comparing every single new release to the previous one. Fortunately, that is not how these guys work and they are constantly one step ahead of the critics producing exciting, varied and inspirational music even to this day.

After considering the above, I urge you to ignore all the negativity surrounding this album and instead listen to it and form your own opinion!

Wiggle Wiggle & selection of other tracks on the record:
http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/album/Under+The+Red+Sky/2361132