Original Album Classics

You can't go wrong with Bob Dylan.

This is new release of a previously released set of five cd's from the eighties. The highlight of the set is Oh Mercy, but I'll get to that in a minute.The set is Absolutely minimalist in it's packaging. The 5 discs are in mini versions of LP sleeves with barely legible text. No musician credits, lyrics or anything more than a tracklisting. The whole bundle in its slipcase is hardly wider than a single jewel box cd case.Shot of love and Infidels came at the tail end of Dylan's gospel period. Shot of Love retains some of the enthusiasm that made Saved and Slow Train Coming enjoyable even to non-believers, but it is not as musically or lyrically inspired. The exception to the rule is Every Grain of Sand, a beautiful song about faith vs. doubt. Dylan's tribute to Lenny Bruce is also worth a listen.Infidels is again less passionate but more preachy than the preceeding albums. Some of the better songs from these sessions were not used, most famously Blind Willie McTell. These are available on  The Bootleg Series, Vol. 1-3 [Rare & Unreleased] 1961-1991 There are two live albums that I have not taken the time to listen to then the set takes a big jump chronologically to Oh Mercy (skipping Empire Burlesque, Knocked Out Loaded and Down in the Groove all allegedly terrible albums but I haven't heard them).Much is made of Daniel Lanois's production making Oh Mercy a return to form, but it actually sits in time between the two albums Dylan made with the Travelling Wilburys. These were, for me, the best things he did in the 1980's. Possibly being part of a group where some members had more claim to legendary status than he did allowed him to relax and get back in touch with his muse.Whether you credit Lanois or the Wilburys, the songs here are fantastic. Everything is Broken, Ring then Bells and What Good Am I are my favourites, though other songs will suit other moods. Again, Dylan was in such good form that there are outakes released later that match what was released. Dignity, Series of Dreams and Mississippi being the three really worth searching out - versions of all three are on the  The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8 / Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989-2006  but not necessarily the best versions.So in conclusion, Oh Mercy is a five star classic. Infidels and Shot of Love have enough decent material to justify the cost of the box (£11.00 at the time of writing), and the live albums are neither here nor there. The packaging could only be worse if they supplied the disc in just white paper sleeves.

What to say? Great value for 5 albums. Not fussed on the 2 live ones but love the other 3. Especially Shot of Love, which has its fair share of haters. I love Dylan’s 3 gospel albums. Oh mercy is a great record too.

5 great albums from 1 of the world’s greatest songwriters ever

Who doesn't love Bob ? This man is more than a musical legend. He's God's gift to us all. Outstanding !

Bought this 5-album set to fill a hole in my Dylan CD collection, especially as it was a bargain price. The set doesn't contain any of his truly great albums but there are some nuggets making this worthwhile for more than just Dylan completists. 'Shot of love' highlights include 'Heart of mine', 'Groom's still waiting at the altar' & 'Lenny Bruce'. 'Infidels' is another mixed bag but 'License to kill' stands out, while 'Union sundown' comes across as rather confused, it not being completely clear if it's an indictment of union corruption or of the capitalist system (maybe both?). 'Oh mercy' has 'Ring them bells', the mysterious 'Man in the long black coat' & the gloomy, pessimistic 'Everything is broken'. The two live albums (one with the Grateful Dead) are what they are: offering some interesting variations in delivery & arrangements but not exactly the best collection of Dylan's live performances. As an aside, it's always amazed Dylan fans why he didn't include some absolutely gorgeous outtakes on these three studio albums, missing 'Angelina' & 'Caribbean wind' off 'Shot of love'; 'Blind Willie McTell' & 'Foot of pride' off 'Infidels'; & 'Series of dreams' off 'Oh mercy'... but at least you can get these & other gems missed off other albums on the 'Bootleg series' & other collections. All in all, a good value set for the Dylan fan wanting to get albums they have had previously not bothered with (or not replaced vinyl with CD) or those just curious to hear some of his less acclaimed work cheaply.

5 yes 5 original Dylan Albums for less than £11. That's barely £2 each! The albums have classic songs on them too. Start off by playing Oh Mercy CD and you'll see what I mean.

Really like the live albums which are like cover versions of his own songs.

Die CD kam schnell an und gefällt mir. Musik ist ja meistens Geschmacksache und diese Bewertung daher besonders subjektiv.

Great Collection. Arrived as described by seller.

Caja con 5 discos de Bob Dylan que reune sus trabajos publicados durante los años ochenta, dos de ellos en directo. Por supuesto no falta el que grabó con Grateful Dead.Muy buena oportunidad para tener en un solo pack cinco discos históricos del genio Dylan.Presentación muy bonita, CD's en forma de mini-réplicas de vinilo.

5 album a un prezzo speciale

5 stars for getting 5 Dylan albums, at a good price - not related the albums in the pack