World Gone Wrong - Dylan, Bob (CD 1993)

A decent collection of acoustic songs that Dylan didn't write. If this CD has a flaw it's that it seems to drag halfway through as it runs out of the little bit of steam it started with. Dylan's voice certainly is the redeeming quality so if you don't care for his voice out front you might want to avoid this. Seeing as how I hardly ever reach for this when I'm in a Dylan mood I'm going to be a bit cruel and only give it 3 Stars.

This 1993 collection marked a second consecutive "change-of-pace" release, where Dylan played old tunes from artists that he grew up listening to. Thus, none of the tunes are his own - but they offer an interesting look at what his influences were like. While 1992's "Good As I Been To You" was longer-playing, and overall my favorite of the two, this one is a very fine follow-up, and another display of raw Dylan. There is again noone but him on the recording - just acoustic guitar, rare harmonica and his just-turned 52-year-old, rugged voice.

If you are a Dylan fan, you love it. If not, well, you probably aren't even reading this. Although I hate to pick favorite tracks, (but knowing people expect them in reviews) mine are probably "Broke Down Engine," "Jack-A-Roe" and "Two Soldiers" (the last of which also appears on a CD by another artist I am very impressed by, Julie Miller's 1999 "Broken Things," where she and Emmylou Harris do a fine rendition as well). However, just like its predecessor, absolutely every track here is a keeper.

I picked this copy up (new/sealed CD) for just under 9 bucks total from "bargainbincds" in 2008 after waiting 6 weeks for Amazon to try to locate one - and they had wanted over $12! I don't know why eBay flagged this for a buyer-review - I have purchased hundreds of CDs here, and don't recall ever seeing that feature. But, I am honored to do it for Bobby, my favorite artist. With this purchase, I now have all of his original studio releases (other than 1973's controversial DYLAN, which has never been released on CD), and now can concentrate on collecting his Live, Bootleg, and Compilation discs. Want to chat about him, or comment on this review? fouards@hotmail.com