Since the release Bootleg 16, I went back and revisited Empire Burlesque, and damn. I do not remember it being this good. Idk why it suddenly clicked for me, but it's been all I've been listening to the past week.

Tight Connection to My Heart, I'll Remember You, Never Gonna Be the Same Again, Emotionally Yours, When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky, and Dark Eyes are all freaking amazing.

I know lots of people dog on the production, but I absolutely love it. Dylan's first foray into production I believe? Before going on to produce all of his 2000s albums?

Does anyone else adore this album as much as I do?

[Had some fun and ranked all 39 albums by His Bobness. Everything you are about to read is simply my opinion; whether you agree or disagree, let’s have a healthy, respectful dialogue in the comments!]

 

#38 - Empire Burlesque

 

Released: June 10, 1985

Produced by: Bob Dylan

 

Although I know I’m not exactly in “unpopular opinion” territory with this ranking, I’m aware this album has its supporters. To some degree, I understand it. I’ve yet to meet a Dylan fan who doesn’t love “Dark Eyes”, and the songwriting isn’t uniformly lousy. I also respect that some people either a) take production out of the equation when assessing a collection of songs or b) actually enjoy or don’t mind the production on an album like Empire Burlesque.

Unfortunately, I don’t fall into either of those camps. There are a select few records I like that are steeped in heavy mid-80’s production, but this isn’t one of them. Songs I might potentially enjoy otherwise - “I’ll Remember You”, “Something’s Burning, Baby” - are ultimately tough sells, be they due to stale synthesizers, superfluous background vocals, or comically sheen guitar tones. Bob is still in full nasally shout mode - far from my favorite Dylan voice - and despite my aforementioned statement about the songwriting, there are a handful of clunkers in my book that further bog this album down (“Never Gonna Be the Same Again”, “Clean Cut Kid”, etc.).

None of this is to imply that Empire Burlesque isn’t fascinating; it’s deeply fascinating. I suppose you could say that for most of Bob’s releases, but given the critical reception of the record that came before this and the two records that followed, it’s especially interesting to examine how this album came to be and how it influenced the rest of the decade for him. Perhaps that alone is enough for some people to hold it in higher regard. Personally? I don’t think Bob is anywhere near the height of his songwriting prowess on this record, and it’s largely a sonic nightmare to my ears. Hence, the #38 ranking.

Least favorite track: “When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky”. I just can’t do it. Some solid lyrics, but the combination of the production and length cement it as my least favorite officially released Dylan trac

Just me who loves the empire burlesque album? I feel like it’s really underrated. Sure, it isn’t flooded with the genius lyrics like Blonde on Blonde or Highway 61 but compared to the late 70s and early 80s acts, this one stands out to me. So many good songs.

If you can listen through the dreadful production and arrangements, the songs are top notch. I'll Remember You, Emotionally Yours, Dark Eyes and of course Tight Connection

I noticed it hasn't been mentioned yet but the yearly burlesque festival is only 2 weeks away. Last year I posted afterwords and some people here mentioned they didn't even know it was going on. This will be my 3rd year attending.

Tickets are $20

Website https://www.EmpireBurlesqueFestival.com/
FB Event page https://www.facebook.com/events/360228124562774/
FB Group page https://www.facebook.com/empireburlesquefest/
Video of the 2018 show (work safe-ish) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMgVwnraCkQ

VOTE HERE: http://strawpoll.me/6045103

The winner of last week's match: 1963's The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan!

This week's match is between the 1979 album Slow Train Coming and the 1985 album Empire Burlesque

This match is available for voting via http://strawpoll.me/6045103

An updated bracket is here: http://images.challonge.com/bobdylanalbums.png

Please comment below and cast your vote at StrawPoll! Next week's albums: Shot of Love vs. Highway 61 Revisited!

Hello Everyone

The songs through from the "Infidels" album are:

Jokerman 52% (54 Votes)

I and I 12% (12 Votes)

I expected these two to be the ones through, though I did not expect the massive lead Jokerman had on I and I.

FULL RESULTS HERE

Album twenty three is "Empire Burlesque". Please vote for your FAVORITE song off the album. The top TWO go through to the next round.

VOTE HERE

This album is a sneaky favorite of mine. Will probably vote for I'll Remember You, but will have to have a think...

Happy Voting

How is it that this album always seems to be mentioned as one of, or sometimes, thee worst Dylan album?

I really don't think that i just have a soft spot for it, I feel like I'm taking crazy pills here.

I ALWAYS see it listed within the bottom three.. It's upsetting and I always feel like those that list it that way are just avoiding it because of the cover of the album or because they saw a list or some blog talking about how awful it is. Im starting to feel like nobody has listened to the damn thing, it is fantastic!

After years of avoiding it myself, i came across the video for "Tight Connection to my Heart".. the video is ridiculous in many ways, but also, in a way, amazing. But oh my god, the song!

Since then it has become one of my personal absolute favorite albums ever.

It's simple, then complex, sweet and then vengeful. It's unique and lovely, misunderstood and complicated. The lyrics are there, they are coming from the master himself, able to be laid out and puzzled over and have a different meaning for everyone that hears it.

Huffington post clip:

http://shows.huffingtonpost.com/video/the-empire-strips-back-a-star-wars-burlesque-parody-519473846

Website:

http://www.empirestripsback.com/

The contents of the album is irrelevant to your choice so if you pick and album you hate but you find the cover appealing, that’s totally ok.

1. Desire
2. Blonde on blonde
3. Blood on the tracks
4. Love and theft
5. Time out of mind
6. Street legal
7. Tempest
8. Modern times
9. Highway 61 revisited
10. Bringing it all back home
11. The freewheeling Bob Dylan
12. The times they are a changing
13. Another side of Bob Dylan
14. Rough and rowdy ways
15. Infidels
16. New morning
17. World gone wrong
18. Empire burlesque
19. Slow train coming
20. Shot of love
21. Under the red sky
22. Oh mercy
23. Nashville Skyline
24. John Wesley Harding
25. The basement tapes
26. Bob Dylan
27. Planet waves
28. Shadows in the night
29. Together through life
30. Patt Garrett and billy the kid
31. Good as I been to you
32. Knocked out and loaded
33. Saved
34. Triplicate
35. Dylan
36. Self portrait
37. Fallen Angels
38. Down in the groove
39. Christmas in the heart

I don't want to step on anybody's toes here, but the amount of non-dad jokes here in this subreddit really annoys me. First of all, dad jokes CAN be NSFW, it clearly says so in the sub rules. Secondly, it doesn't automatically make it a dad joke if it's from a conversation between you and your child. Most importantly, the jokes that your CHILDREN tell YOU are not dad jokes. The point of a dad joke is that it's so cheesy only a dad who's trying to be funny would make such a joke. That's it. They are stupid plays on words, lame puns and so on. There has to be a clever pun or wordplay for it to be considered a dad joke.

Again, to all the fellow dads, I apologise if I'm sounding too harsh. But I just needed to get it off my chest.

[Had some fun and ranked all 39 albums by His Bobness. Everything you are about to read is simply my opinion; whether you agree or disagree, let’s have a healthy, respectful dialogue in the comments!]

 

#1 - Highway 61 Revisited

 

Released: August 30, 1965

Produced by: Bob Johnston

 

The rumors are true; despite the repeated smokescreens that I’d be re-ranking Christmas in the Heart here, Highway 61 Revisited is, in fact, my #1.

There are many factors I could discuss in justifying Highway 61 as my favorite Dylan record. Most notably, I could talk about how it expanded upon and perfected the electric soundscapes that were introduced on Bringing It All Back Home, creating an atmosphere that is singular not just to Bob’s discography, but to all of rock and roll. This ramshackle blend of Chicago blues, jangle pop, and British influences is unique enough by itself; when you add Dylan’s distinct, pointed vocals into the mix and consider the breakneck vibe of the band’s performances, it’s simply unlike anything else in the history of popular music. It’s almost there on the previous record, but not exactly; there are similarities on Blonde on Blonde, but the change in backing band and Bob’s hazier vocal delivery lends to a noticeable shift in vibe; by the time The Basement Tapes are recorded and John Wesley Harding is released, he’s adapted a more stripped-down approach, and not only does he never return to the mid-60’s sound, it’s unlikely he could have even if he wanted to. None of this is a condemnation on any of these other records’ soundscapes; it’s simply to illustrate how exclusive the sound of Highway 61 is, a sound that I enjoy and cherish like no other.

Regardless of this or any other aspect I could comment on, all that needs to be said as to why it’s my favorite Dylan record is: you know. You know exactly why, even if it’s not yours. I don’t say this to be lazy or funny; it’s the same argument that could be made for Blonde on Blonde or Blood on the Tracks. Just look at the track listing: Highway 61 Revisited kicks off with a song with as strong a case as any for the greatest in rock and roll history and, until the second it ends, rarely strays from that caliber of grande

The doctor says it terminal.

Alot of great jokes get posted here! However just because you have a joke, doesn't mean it's a dad joke.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT NSFW, THIS IS ABOUT LONG JOKES, BLONDE JOKES, SEXUAL JOKES, KNOCK KNOCK JOKES, POLITICAL JOKES, ETC BEING POSTED IN A DAD JOKE SUB

Try telling these sexual jokes that get posted here, to your kid and see how your spouse likes it.. if that goes well, Try telling one of your friends kid about your sex life being like Coca cola, first it was normal, than light and now zero , and see if the parents are OK with you telling their kid the "dad joke"

I'm not even referencing the NSFW, I'm saying Dad jokes are corny, and sometimes painful, not sexual

So check out r/jokes for all types of jokes

r/unclejokes for dirty jokes

r/3amjokes for real weird and alot of OC

r/cleandadjokes If your really sick of seeing not dad jokes in r/dadjokes

Punchline !

Edit: this is not a post about NSFW , This is about jokes, knock knock jokes, blonde jokes, political jokes etc being posted in a dad joke sub

Edit 2: don't touch the thermostat

Do your worst!

How the hell am I suppose to know when it’s raining in Sweden?

Mathematical puns makes me number

We told her she can lean on us for support. Although, we are going to have to change her driver's license, her height is going down by a foot. I don't want to go too far out on a limb here but it better not be a hack job.

Ants don’t even have the concept fathers, let alone a good dad joke. Keep r/ants out of my r/dadjokes.

But no, seriously. I understand rule 7 is great to have intelligent discussion, but sometimes it feels like 1 in 10 posts here is someone getting upset about the jokes on this sub. Let the mods deal with it, they regulate the sub.