Description
Infidels is the twenty-second studio album by the American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan, released on Columbia Records in October 1983. The album was recorded April-May 1983 by Neil Dorfsman at The Power Station in New York; with Mark Knopfler and Bob Dylan producing.
Infidels was included among the Best Albums of 1983 by CCM Magazine, voted number three (tied with T-Bone Burnett’s Proof Through the Night) on a list featuring eleven albums released from the last quarter of 1982 through the last quarter of 1983. – In December, Thom Granger said of ‘Infidels’, “The word ‘infidels’ refers to people who have no religious faith, especially those who do not accept Christianity. The LP ‘Infidels’ contains some of Dylan’s most listenable music since ‘Slow Train Coming’ (1979). The spit and fire is still there, to be sure, but Dylan sounds healthier, more buoyant, even happier than he’s sounded since 1975’s ‘Desire’.”
After a trio of releases that mapped out Dylan’s conversion to Christianity, ‘Infidels’ sees him continuing to write songs drawing from his new faith. Recorded with reggae rhythms maestros Sly & Robbie, there’s an extra funkiness to the proceedings here and a few gems to be enjoyed. I’ve always loved the opening cut «Jokerman» but like so many Bob Dylan songs have no idea who it’s about. Who is the Jokerman? Dylan? The Anti-Christ? It’s got some great biblical imagery and a fab groove though! «Neighbourhood Bully» is built on a huge Rolling Stones-style riff which isn’t surprising when you consider former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor is playing guitar on the album alongside Mark Knopfler. The bully by the way is the nation of Israel. There are a couple of other highlights. «Man Of Peace» has one of those great grooves and a great angry vocal from the rock icon. «I And I» as the title might suggest draws on the Jamaican roots of the rhythms section and one final song worth mentioning is the ballad «Sweetheart Like You», wondering what she’s doing in a place like this. Old idea but a nice song with great guitar from Knopfler and it could have been a song on the Dire Straits ‘Making Movies’ album. Dylan’s albums in the ’80s were often a bit patchy and that’s true here. But there are some gems well worth investigating. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, December 2007]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/infidels/175434756)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Jokerman” – 6:12
A2. “Sweetheart Like You” – 4:31
A3. “Neighborhood Bully” – 4:33
A4. “License To Kill” – 3:31
Side Two
B1. “Man Of Peace” – 6:27
B2. “Union Sundown” – 5:21
B3. “I And I” – 5:10
B4. “Don’t Fall Apart On Me Tonight” – 5:54
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Columbia Records. Later re-issued on CD.
The January 1984 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Bob Dylan.
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