(***) September 10, 2012. 35th Studio Album.
Another winner from Dylan’s latter years, Tempest follows a similar pattern to other albums of the era. Members of his touring band deliver an old-timey, R&B feel to many of the songs, and Dylan’s self-production style is plain yet effective. .I find both the songs and the music more engaging than similar albums of this era, with Dylan showing more emotion in his vocals than he has in similar albums. The album features a return of the epic with the title track about the sinking of the Titanic (complete with a nod to Leo DiCaprio), along with 14 minutes and 45 verses delivered in an Irish-waltz style. Other notable songs are “Narrow Way,” one of the more rock ‘n’ roll numbers on the album that also comes with a snide attitude and the train imagery of “Duquesne Whistle” The album ends with a salute to John Lennon on the nostalgic “Roll on John.” Besides my appreciation of it, Tempest was a critical and commercial success as well. While many people belived there were hints throughout that it would be his last studio album, that, of course, was not the case. But even if it were, he would have gone out on a high note.