Product Description

Ever the spiritual nomad, the former Robert Zimmerman became a born-again Christian in the late '70s, a development strongly reflected in his work from that period. His second "Christian" album, SAVED celebrates the change just as emphatically as it's predecessor SLOW TRAIN COMING, with Dylan declaring proclaiming his faith in no uncertain terms on the title track. Even when he sings about the opposite sex on "Covenant Woman", it's a lady who has a "contract with God".
Backed by some of the most soulful musicians he's ever recorded with, including Barry Beckett, Spooner Oldham and Jim Keltner, Dylan wrings an unprecedented degree of emotion from his tunes. He even sings the hell out of the old country-identified spiritual "A Satisfied Mind" to open the album. Closing things out, "Are You Ready" finds Dylan (backed by a gospel choir) exhorting the listener to accept Jesus, over a sinuous funk-gospel vamp.

Track Listing

1. Satisfied Mind
2. Saved
3. Covenant Woman
4. What Can I Do For You
5. Solid Rock
6. Pressing On
7. In The Garden
8. Saving Grace
9. Are You Ready

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12980 in Music
• Released on: 2002-11-18
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Soulful Gospel-Rock
Recorded at Muscle Shoals studios, this spiritual album contains a variety of styles, from straight gospel with strong female vocals to folky ruminations. Besides the opening number, all songs were written by Dylan whilst the title track, a rhythmic and uptempo gospel song, was co-written by Tim Drummond.

The next two tracks, the intimate Covenant Woman and What Can I Do For You with its moving harmonica, are tender slow ballads with a comforting message. The urgent, driving beat and soulful backing vocals make Solid Rock a powerful blend of rock and gospel, while Pressing On leans more to gospel but still has a strong rock infusion.

One of the most moving songs is In The Garden, a mid-tempo ballad of great intensity. There is lovely organ on Saving Grace, a tuneful ballad passionately delivered, and the album concludes with Are You Ready, also with impressive organ flourishes.

At times Dylan approaches the devotional intensity of Van Morrison in his most transcendent moments, but overall Saved is not as satisfying as its predecessor Slow Train Coming or its follow-up Shot Of Love. It is still a worthwhile work for fans and for those who love gospel-rock.

Dylan as I have never heard him before
It is my humble opinion that this particular religious offering has been unfairly shunned by many Dylan fans. I'm a big fan of the man, but not too big to admit when he's made a mistake. This is the first of the Christian trilogy I acquired (solely for the harp work on What Can I Do For You?) and I was pleasently suprised by such refreshing material.
To me this seems like another case of Dylan doing something a little out of context and his fans being offended by a man who is supposedly the prophetic voice of generations. I suggest this should be overlooked in favour of the pure joy and excitement in some of these songs (Saved being my personal favourite). Dylan sings with conviction and none of the performances seem lackluster.
The religious sentiment may not to be to everyones taste, and I didn't expect such music from Dylan but it is not to say it isn't worthwhile music. The musicians on this album lay down some great tracks and though Dylan may not be the poet he was on earlier albums such as 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan' and 'The Times They Are A' Changing' he's having a good time.
I was always a firm believer in creating music for yourself, and this is Dylans journey, we're just along for the ride. Who are we to pass judgement on how he feels?
As the man himself once said 'Don't criticise what you can't understand'. Some of the truest words ever spoken, or sung.

Devotional
It is profoundly untrendy in some quarters to say anything positive about this album. Even the album cover, of a Hand reaching down to save us mere mortals seems to annoy some people? Why? I am not sure. All I can talk about is the conviction and considerable warmth on display throughout this album. This album did not judge, unlike its predecessor Slow Train Coming allegedly did (but that is another review). This record focuses more on the sheer joy that Dylan was experiencing at the time.....and although melody may have taken a backseat to an extent here, we have some songs right here which are among the most moving of Dylan's entire career. Others complain that the live renditions of these songs on Bob's US tour the year before were infinitely superior to these versions. Well, even though I am not sure about that, not having been there and having heard the quality of the live bootlegs in question, I maintain that this album is the only proper record of this set of songs on offer, and when I heard it for the first time I did not find the performances flat or ininspired. In fact many of them are no less than inspirational. From my perspective, one does not have to necessarily share in Dylan's beliefs here....but for sure this album are incredibly moving on most tracks. On 'Pressing On' Dylan sounds both vulnerable yet sure footed. Singing with the conviction of old, but on this occasion, gone are the bitterness, politics or mystique...here is a man simply striving to be happy and fulfilled. Is this not the goal of anyone? The same can be said about 'What Can I Do For You?' and 'Covenant Woman' and most especially on 'Saving Grace' which is just sublime in its heartfelt lyric and delivery and on this occasion a fine melody to boot. It is not too often that Dylan sounds humble....but he does on most of this record...and the effect is very endearing.

There are weaker moments like the unsatisfactory throw away cover of 'A Satisfied Mind' (a great song) and 'In The Garden' and 'Are You Ready' which both suffer from lack of melody, although still carrying a considerable emotional punch. But on 'Solid Rock' not only the emotion is there but he rocks like he hadn't done for years, well supported by his band feauring the reliable Jim Keltner among others on fine form.

So there we have it. Dylan's most criticized album. And probably at the time (1980) his most ignored. Yet here am I recommending you to buy it! Well all I can say if you appreciate the complex and intriguing personality that this man was and is, how can you ignore such a pivotal period of his career? I recommend this one, the previous one 'Slow Train Coming' (1979) and the next one 'Shot of Love' (1981). All three are special. And it is 'Saved' which is the personal and quietly devotional of the three. This is no 'Blood On The Tracks' but is immensely rewarding piece of work all the same.