Bob Dylan And His Oh Mercy Album Needs YOU!
By: Paul Speed
Tags: 80s, Bob Dylan, Music, Rock, Album Review

I don’t really like Bob Dylan … and it’s late, it’s raining, and I have a train to catch! Get straight to the point and tell me why I should listen to this album?

Firstly, a lot of people don’t like Dylan.

They’re usually turned off by his nasally voice. But look beyond that.

He’s one of the world’s greatest living songwriters — so surely he deserves more than a cursory listen?

This album, No Mercy, was a real return to form after his string of lacklustre LPs in the ‘80s. It saw Dylan regain his muse and is widely regarded as the start of his renaissance.

The sheer quality of the songs slowly reel you in until you’re happily sitting among the vines, wrapped around its darkly joyous heart. Recorded down in New Orleans, it’s along the city’s bayous we mingle with lost spirits and nocturnal fables; the journey of faith and discovery lit by twinkling lanterns and the bright colours of Mardi Gras.

It’s a real night-time record, and Dylan himself has described it as having a ‘magical’ sound.

Hmm ok. But I’m not sure about THAT album cover …

Album cover of “No Mercy,” 1989. Copyright Columbia Records.

This was the late ‘80s, remember. Sure, the artwork looks kind of dated to modern eyes. But I find it quite striking. It has a sort of New Orleans/jazz thing going on. It was actually a mural on a wall of a Chinese restaurant in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen. Dylan happened to see it, the artist was tracked down, and the rest is history.

Why do YOU like this album so much?

Without wanting to sound overly pompous, I just think it has a real depth and gravitas to it. The lyrics in particular are stunning.

“Most Of The Time” is especially revealing. A contemplative ballad about a lost relationship, it’s full of wry humour imbued with bitter regret.

I love the subtlety in the way it merely alludes to sadness through the simple refrain “most of the time”.

“When the road unwinds, I can handle whatever I stumble upon, I don’t even notice, she’s gone, most of the time.”

Bluesy boogie “Political World” is another highlight. It kicks off the album with a real raffish charm. The scratchy, jittery guitar aggressively cuts through the throbbing bassline and vaguely menacing percussion.

“We live in a political world, wisdom is thrown into jail, it rots in a cell misguided as hell, leaving no one to pick up the trail.”

New Orleans photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan on Unsplash.

“The Man In The Long Black Coat” is also a gem. An oddly hypnotic folk tale about a faceless apparition dropping into people’s lives — before disappearing just as quickly. Perhaps a metaphor for death, it holds its secrets very close to its chest. Very Johnny Cash, and that’s not just because of its title!

“Not a word of goodbye not even a note, she gone with the man in the long black coat.”

I’ve actually heard “Man In The Long Black Coat” before. Sounds a bit like “House Of The Rising Sun?”

I guess it does a bit! This has better lyrics, though. And an all together spookier arrangement. I love the eerie noise of crickets in the background!

What are ‘Oh Mercy’s’ top three tracks, then?

Ooh, that’s a tough ask! Just three?

Just three. I have a train to catch, remember?

I’d say the three I have just mentioned are up there. An honourable mention must also go, however, to the hymnal “Ring Them Bells.” Chiming piano underscores Dylan’s soulful delivery on a quite frankly beautiful little gospel song. It sounds like light breaking through the storm clouds.

“Ring them bells ye heathen from the city that dreams.”

I like how Dylan lingers on the “m” in “from” in the above line.

Yes, he does have some remarkably interesting ways of getting his messages across. Both vocally and musically.

He does indeed.

So how would YOU describe this album to someone in three words?

Life-affirming, honest, real.

Ok, you sold me. I’ll give it a listen.

You won’t regret it. Now hurry, or you’ll miss that train!

“What Do I Have To Say To Get You To Listen To …” is part of a new series of brief-yet-informative looks at some stunning albums you may not have heard before. Keep an eye out for the next one!

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