(**½) July 14, 1986. 24th Studio Album.
Loaded is a somewhat directionless album featuring a variety of styles, including the Soul/Gospel sounds of late ‘70s, early ‘80s Dylan albums, a children’s choir (“They Killed Him” by Kris Kristofferson), island sounds (“Precious Memories,” a traditional gospel song) , and straight rock “Got My Mind Made Up.” Recorded with 30-plus musicians at a variety of studios, the album lacks a coherent feel and not many lyrically interesting ideas. But the quirky 11-minute Tex-Mex sounding “Brownsville Girl,” co-written with playwright Sam Shephard, is the gem of this album. There is a line in that song referring to Gregory Peck movie: “He’s got a new one out now, I don’t even know what it’s about. But I’ll see him in anything so I’ll stand in line.” This pretty much sums up my opinion on this album as well.
#14–a 1986 RMS Music Society Award Winner!
Standout cuts include “They Killed Him”…”Drifting Too Far From Shore”…”Got My Mind Made Up”