Bob Dylan-Nashville Skyline

[ironbut]

When it comes to early Dylan records, I've been pretty satisfied with Sundazed vinyl reissues. After all, when I was in high school and anxiously waited for his latest tome to arrive, it wasn't to see how he might mix up those same 3 chords.
But "Skyline" is different. This was his first release after taking singing lessons (dream or nightmare job?) and they hired some of the best sidemen to back-up this new improved voice. Even though the music on this release is far more melodic and at times, even danceable, it's still monotone in mood. From the opening duet with Johnny Cash to Country Pie with it's twangy guitar licks, it's pure Dylan. And even though when it was first released the pedal steel seemed so out of place, it seems like it always belonged there now.
I have a minty original of this record that I prefer tonally to any reissues I've heard, but the overall sound is veiled and muffled. I don't mind the overall presentation of a small honky tonk, but it's more like the sound of a well worn juke box with a 7 man poker game going on in front of it,.. in a small honky tonk.
It may be an unfair comparison, but I listened to it today right after side one of Allison Krauss' "New Favorite" whose sound is pretty much, universally appreciated. Maybe it's asking for the moon, but if the guys could work some magic on this master and get some clarity and elbow room on this release, there'd be a couple of hundred thousand Dylan fans beating your doors down.
Bob Dylan "Nashville Skyline"
Columbia KCS 9825

[Scott D. Smith]

As much as I am a fan of Dylan's music, virtually every recording I have heard of his on Columbia just plain sucks. It is truly disappointing, as I keep hoping that it was just an artifact of poor mixing and mastering, but I'm afraid that the troubles lie in the original recordings. "Nashville Skyline" was probably the best out of the lot, but that ain't saying much.

Columbia, I'm afraid, has done more than any other major label to destroy what should be some very good recordings. While there are some exceptions, I must say I can't really think of any Columbia recording that I would bother putting on the turntable based on it's audio merits. Too bad, as they had some great artists pass through their doors that deserved much better.