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| Released September 10, 1990 |
Released a year after the well received Oh Mercy, Under the Red Sky failed to impress most fans and critics. Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by the Was brothers, the album featured guest appearances from some of the biggest names in the music industry including Elton John, Bruce Hornsby, George Harrison, Slash, and many others.
I like to think of Under the Red Sky as a coda to Oh Mercy in terms of tone. The former looks at life with an honest, serious, and ultimately tragic outlook. While the latter goes for a more child like wisdom, making the two albums suitable companion pieces.
"Wiggle Wiggle" may be the most despised song ever to open a Dylan album, a children's ditty with nonsensical lyrics. Easy now, the Beatles could get away with "Piggies" and "Wild Honey Pie" on The White Album.
The title track features excellent guitar from Harrison and some poignant lyrics, a dark retelling of Hansel and Gretel. "Unbelievable" was made into an amusing music video starring 80s icon Molly Ringwald. "Born in Time" provides some seasoned reflection on life and loss. "T.V. Talkin Song" reads like a lost passage from Tarantula.
"10,000 Men" offers up some leisurely blues with Dylan sounding like he's making it up on the spot. It's a fun jam. "2 X 2" continues the nursery rhyme theme. "God Knows" recalls on the Christian Rock on the Shot of Love LP. Dylan refined "God Knows" into an epic rock song for his live shows in the 90s. "Handy Dandy" introduces another eccentric character with "Like A Rolling Stone" evident in the melody. The closing track, "Cat's in the Well," became a mainstay of Dylan's live repertoire throughout the 2000s.
A collection of odds and ends lacking in memorable moments or high points, Under the Red Sky works strictly as a curio.
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| Released October 29, 1990 |
After the unexpected passing of Roy Orbison, The Traveling Wilbury's continued on as a quartet for one more album. Orbison's absence left a melancholy shadow over the proceedings that made the original so magical. Nevertheless the songs on Vol. III hold up and are defiantly retro in style and tone.
Dylan took a leadership role and his material dominates the album.
"She's My Baby" is an uptempo rocker and "Inside Out" features the Wilbury's working on all cylinders.
"7 Deadly Sins" and "Where Were You Last Night" bring some punch that the tracks on Under The Red Sky lacked. "New Blue Moon" belongs on every jukebox.
"Wilbury Twist" ends things on a playful note.
Unfortunately the Wilbury's never got back together and their music went out of circulation throughout the 90s and early 2000's. Both are now widely available. Great albums to get out on a rainy day!
