I've had this album since it came out as well, and love the whole thing. Isis is a cool story and One more cup of coffee is covered by more bands than most Dylan tunes. Smokey, southwestern feel to the whole thing. If I remember correctly, Mozambique got a bit of airplay off this in addition to Hurricane becoming a hit. Highly recommend this one.
I have never understood why this album is rated so highly. The songs with Levy are not very interesting and the solo offerings are mawkish. His vocal style is hortatory and off-putting. Not a single first-rate song on the album IMO, and Joey and Hurricane, his two "let's glorify a homicidal criminal" interminable epics are equally insufferable.
Why not get this album? Why not enjoy one of Dylan's most unique offerings? From the first song Bob goes back to what he does best - shining a light on what he sees as wrong and illuminating a subject so that all your senses are hit on several levels. This, along with Scarlet Rivera's haunting violin, makes an album much different than his previous work but very enjoyable. If you have any interest in Dylan, why not get one of his different albums?
Since its original release, one of my favorite albums of all time. Great story telling songs range from the derivative Romance in Durango to the intensely political Hurricane but are always engaging. Highly listenable, that haunting Gypsy violin provides the thread that hold the album together far better than most critics say. Don't listen to them.
