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When Bob Dylan went born again in 1979,
it was considered by some as the most confused period of the
legend's career. Even with the overt messages to God and spirituality,
his gospel songs never really strayed from the themes of his
popular secular songs (problems, sin, desperation, loneliness,
uncertainty, hope) in offering clarity about the world around
us. Thus, it seems appropriate and honorable that today's top
musicians in gospel music pay tribute to the Bard on this wonderful
collection. Strong performances by Shirley Caesar ("Gotta
Serve Somebody"), the Fairfield Four ("Are You Ready"),
Chicago Mass Choir (on the rousing "Pressing On"),
Aaron Neville ("Saving Grace"), and Mighty Clouds of
Joy ("Saved") grace the collection, disproving that
Dylan wasn't off the rails when he wrote these songs,--it's the
type of material that a great like Mahalia Jackson would have
intepreted proudly. Ironically the final song to this collection
featurs Dylan himself on a duet with Mavis Staples of the legendary
Staples Singers, "Gonna Change My Way of Thinking"
in that it is more bluesy and rock than gospel but the message
stays true. Bob Dylan gospel pioneer? Gotta Serve Somebody
makes a strong case.
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