Bob Dylan – Modern Times

Bob Dylan – Modern Times

Bob Dylan – Modern Times is the acclaimed 2006 studio album that marked a remarkable late-career return to original songwriting. Released on 29 August 2006, it was Dylan’s first new album of original material in five years, following “Love And Theft”, and finds him working with a tight band to create a richly textured collection rooted in blues, folk, country, rock ’n’ roll and the traditions of American popular song.

Produced by Dylan himself under his Jack Frost pseudonym, Modern Times has a deliberately organic, lived-in sound. The album moves from the raucous blues-rock of “Thunder On The Mountain” and “Rollin’ And Tumblin’” to the gentle swing of “Spirit On The Water” and the reflective “When The Deal Goes Down.” Dylan is backed by musicians including Tony Garnier on bass, George Receli on drums, Denny Freeman and Stuart Kimball on guitar, with Donnie Herron contributing steel guitar, mandolin, violin and viola.

The album's songwriting draws deeply on earlier American musical traditions while remaining unmistakably Dylan. “Workingman’s Blues #2” combines the language of the traditional folk song with a contemporary working-life perspective, while “Beyond The Horizon” and “Nettie Moore” explore romantic and nostalgic themes through old-fashioned melodies and arrangements. “The Levee’s Gonna Break” delivers another muscular blues performance, while the atmospheric “Ain’t Talkin’” closes the album with an extended, mysterious meditation on wandering, mortality and spiritual longing.

Modern Times also became one of Dylan’s most decorated albums of the period, with “Someday Baby” winning the Grammy for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance and the album receiving the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album.

For fans of Bob Dylan, American folk, blues, Americana, roots rock and singer-songwriter music, Modern Times is an essential later-period Dylan album, balancing raw blues energy with sophisticated songwriting and a deep connection to the musical traditions that have shaped his career.

Tracklist

1. Thunder On The Mountain – 5:55
2. Spirit On The Water – 7:42
3. Rollin' And Tumblin' – 6:01
4. When The Deal Goes Down – 5:04
5. Someday Baby – 4:55
6. Workingman's Blues #2 – 6:07
7. Beyond The Horizon – 5:36
8. Nettie Moore – 6:52
9. The Levee's Gonna Break – 5:43
10. Ain't Talkin' – 8:48