(***) August 10, 1981. 21st Studio Album.
Considered by many to be the final chapter in the “trilogy” of born-again records, Shot of Love is more of a transition back to a rock sound. In many ways it is a journey out of his gospel period into a secular format. While it starts out in a similar lyrical vain as his two previous records with songs such as “Property of Jesus,” the album evolves into more heart-rendering songs including “Heart of Mine,” and the somber “Lenny Bruce,” a tribute to the groundbreaking comedian who died 15 years earlier from a drug overdose. But the best song on the record is saved for last. “Every Grain of Sand” is as classic as anything Dylan did from the 1960s, and is on my list of all-time favorites. The album is a nice mixture of ballads and rockers with a rough edge to them and a worthy addition to the Dylan catalog. (One note: “The Groom’s Still Waiting at the Altar” is included in the CD re-release and as the B side of the single “Heart of Mine” but was not included on the album. Nonetheless, the bluesy, cynical “Groom” received more airplay at the time than any other song from the album.)
A top 5 of his catalog! From the tour we saw at Penn State.