(***) June 10, 1985. 23rd Studio Album.
Released smack in the middle of the 1980s, Empire Burlesque is certainly a product of its time, with a sound similar to what Steve Winwood, Don Henley, or even Phil Collins had with their albums of the same era. Recorded with some 28 musicians, including members of Tom Petty’s band, whom he would later tour with, at numerous different studios, the album was produced by Dylan, but completed by remix artist Arthur Baker. With lots of poly-rhythmic sounds, drumbeats, synths, backup singers and some great lyrics and vocals by Dylan, it all works, even if it seems a little dated today. The album contains tender love songs, “Emotionally Yours,” political songs “Clean Cut Kid,” and even the closest thing Dylan has come to Disco with the tour-de-force “When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky.” But after all the bombast, it ends with the quiet, acoustic “Dark Eyes,” another of my all-time favorite songs. It shows that with Dylan, regardless of the time frame, it’s all about the songs.
Another mid-1980s gem…top 10 of his catalog.
I too like “Dark Eyes”