“Saved” was Bob Dylan’s second “born again” album. This series, starting with “Slow Train Coming” in 1979, stretches up to the disputed territory of “Infidels” in 1983. It’s a pretty short period of Bob history but a pivotal one that serves as one of the Great Walls of Before and After in his career.
It starts out with a traditional country gospel number, A Satisfied Mind, that was sung by a lot of cowboys before Bob got his hands on it. Maybe this is a leftover influence from his Nashville Skyline or other previous endeavours. Porter Wagoner had a pretty good run with it in 1957.
There is no country music on this album though. The opening track is a strained, rock influenced plea that begs you to listen to the whole album. There are a lot of soul-styled tracks, such as Saved, Solid Rock, and Pressing On. It’s also a lot of jangly piano rock, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Sheffield, Alabama.
One of the great mysteries of Bob’s born again albums is how earnest they all are. Every bit is on the nose and every lyric so convincing you can’t believe anything but what you’re hearing. And then for some 75 other albums he only hints at spirituality.
Don’t be fooled though, the Gospel according to Bob started some twenty years before this album. His early lyrics, and his later lyrics all talk about God and make direct references to the divine and our human relationship to it.
So with this one, enjoy the pleasure of Bob actually perhaps talking about what he’s talking about for once. Less metaphor in one sense, and more on the nose.
That doesn’t keep him from writing fantastic poetry throughout though.
“Covenant woman, got a contract with the Lord…”
“I’ve been broken, shattered like an empty cup / I’m just waiting on the Lord to rebuild and fill me up / And I know He will do it ’cause He’s faithful and He’s true / He must have loved me so much to send me someone as fine as you”
Now the spiritual talk and divine relationships cross over into human relationships. Nearly the opposite of his “secular” writings.
Lastly, let’s remember Bob’s voice. He has used several different voicings through his career, and this one is fairly nasal, putting some people off. But remember to ask your most highly trained singing friends and they will confirm – he knows how to sing. This is just how he does it. He puts every part of every word where he wants it and it works.
Tracklist
1 – A Satisfied Mind – 1:58
2 – Saved – 4:00
3 – Covenant Woman – 6:03
4 – What Can I Do For You? – 5:54
5 – Solid Rock – 3:55
6 – Pressing On – 5:11
7 – In The Garden – 5:58
8 – Saving Grace – 5:01
9 – Are You Ready – 4:42
Credits
Artwork [Cover] – Tony Wright
Bass – Tim Drummond
Drums – Jim Keltner
Engineer – Gregg Hamm
Engineer [Assistant] – Mary Beth McLemore
Guitar – Fred Tackett
Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica – Bob Dylan
Keyboards – Spooner Oldham
Keyboards, Vocals – Terry Young
Mastered By [Engineer] – Bobby Hata
Mastered By [Supervisor] – Paul Wexler
Photography By – Arthur Rosato
Producer – Barry Beckett, Jerry Wexler
Vocals – Clydie King, Mona Lisa Young, Regina Havis
Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
Distributed By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Inc.
Copyright © – CBS Inc.
Recorded At – Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Mastered At – Amigo Studios
Lacquer Cut At – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Don Mills, ON