Album: Various artists, Theme Time Radio with Your Host Bob Dylan (Ace)

By Phil Johnson

Sunday 02 March 2008

There's no actual Bob Dylan but this canny double CD compilation of 50 songs aired on his celebrated XM Radio show is filled with wonders.

The original structural themings (Radio, Guns, Food, etc) are all mixed up so what we get is a bran-tub of old-timey blues, gospel, country, pop, R&B and a little jazz, reggae and punk ("Tommy Gun" by the Clash), with nary a duff track. Dylan seems attracted by linguistic quirks and strong, singular (even deranged-sounding) performances. Juxtaposed with the genius of Memphis Minnie, Aretha or Billie Holiday, it makes you yee-haw with joy.

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