Slow train coming

Slow train coming
Studio album by Bob Dylan
Publication (s)	1979
Label (s)	Columbia Records
Genre (s)	Rock , gospel , Christian rock
Title (number)	9
running time	46:19
occupation	Bob Dylan (git, voc) Barry Beckett (key, perc) Mickey Buckins (perc) Carolyn Dennis (background voc) Tim Drummond (b) Regina Havis (background voc) Mark Knopfler (lead e-git) Muscle Shoals Horns (horns) Helena Springs (background voc) Pick withers (dr)
production	Barry Beckett, Jerry Wexler
Studio (s)	Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
chronology Street Legal (1978) Slow train coming Saved (1980)

Slow Train Coming is Bob Dylan's 19th studio album , released by Columbia Records in August 1979.

History of origin

Slow Train Coming is the first of three albums from Dylan's religious phase after the heavily criticized Street Legal . The lyrics are shaped by his new understanding as a born again Christian , which led to some astonishment on the part of the fans but also the critics. In contrast to the previous album, the musical production was praised as being much more mature.

Accompanying musicians are Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers , who had been successful the year before with their debut album Dire Straits .

Dylan and Gotta Serve Somebody won the 1980 Grammy Awards for Best Male Vocal Performance - Rock.

Track list

1. Gotta Serve Somebody - 5:23
2. Precious Angel - 6:30
3. I Believe In You - 5:08
4. Slow Train - 5:57
5. Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking - 5:27
6. Do Right To Me Baby (Do Unto Others) - 3:52
7. When You Gonna Wake Up - 5:28
8. Man Gave Names To All The Animals - 4:25
9. When He Returns - 4:29

Chart successes

Slow Train Coming reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 , and the single Gotta Serve Somebody reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 . The album was certified platinum by the RIAA in May 1980 .

reception

• The music journalist Robert Christgau criticized the one-dimensionality of the lyrics, but called Slow Train Coming the best album since Blood on the Tracks . Mark Knopfler, who prophesied a studio career for Christgau, was mentioned positively. He also raised the question of why Dylan's Christian reorientation should be taken more seriously than other types of “hippie bullshit” . The album received a B + in the rating.
• In Rolling Stone , Jann S. Wenner wrote that it only takes a single listening session to realize that Slow Train Coming is the best Dylan album since The Basement Tapes . However, this is difficult to recognize due to the “shouting as born again” . Wenner highlighted the quality of the accompanying musicians and described Knopfler's angry solos. This is the best new guitarist in years. Musically the album is outstanding, but with When He Returns the lyrics do not play a role - Wenner only hears one voice there.
• Stephen Erlewine wrote on Allmusic that nobody could have guessed that Dylan would find Christianity on Slow Train Coming and that the philosophy of rebirth would be enthusiastically received. But the change seems to have had positive musical consequences, it is difficult to overlook the revitalized sound. In the rating, the album received three out of five stars.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Slow Train Coming at discogs.com
2. ↑ 36 Years Ago: Bob Dylan Begins his Born-Again Phase With Slow Train Coming by Michael Gallucci
3. ↑ Chart successes at allmusic.com
4. ↑ Awards at tsort.info
5. ↑ Reviews at robertchristgau.com
6. ^ Slow Train Coming at rollingstone.com
7. ↑ Slow Train Coming at allmusic.com