May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
1. On a Night Like This (2:59)
2. Going, Going, Gone (3:28)
3. Tough Mama (4:16)
4. Hazel (2:49)
5. Something There is About You (4:43)
6. Forever Young (4:57)
7. Forever Young #2 (2:48)
8. Dirge (5:37)
9. You Angel You (2:54)
10. Never Say Goodbye (2:53)
11. Wedding Song (4:42)
Review: Planet Waves, recorded in late 1973 and released in January 1974, was Bob's first release of all original, non-soundtrack music since 1970's New Morning. Bob recorded it with 'The Band.' and indeed, it is credited to 'Bob Dylan and The Band', though all the songs were written and sung by Bob. This album was their first since recording The Basement Tapes in 1967. A live album of their 1974 tour would follow. As such, this album was highly anticipated.
The opening track is 'On A Night Like This' which is an uptempo accordion-filled little ditty. It sounds like a warm up for Bob and Band. Bob's voice sounds strong and confident as ever. This marks the beginning of a renaissance for Bob's voice that would last through the next few years at least. The line "if I'm not too far off, I think we did this once before" brings special meaning considering who Bob is playing with.
We suddenly shift mood and tempo with 'Going Going Gone' which opens with minor chords on an acoustic guitar, followed by the unmistakable lead guitar of Robbie Robertson. The Band comes in seconds later, at a deliberately slow tempo. Bob again shows off his vocal chops, sustaining long notes more effectively than ever before. The Band backs him up effectively on vocals during a brief stretch. This song is a minor masterpiece in Bob's career; a piece of heartbreak that would foreshadow many of the songs on his famous next studio album.
Things get raucous early on in 'Tough Mama', with drums giving way to Bob's harmonica in full force. A very catchy tune, with Levon Helm expertly keeping the rest of the instrumentalists on track with his drumming. Garth Hudson's organ can be heard well throughout, and he's even given a solo at the end. Who knows what the song is about, but I know everyone is having fun and playing great. And who can't love a song with the line "today on the countryside / it was hotter than a crotch"(!).
On 'Hazel' we get more focused harp from Bob along with some very pretty scales from Robbie opening it up. A moderately slow tune, it continue a great streak of songwriting on this album. Bob sounds simultaneously at ease and as if he's working at the top of his vocal range. He hasn't sounded this good in years, if ever. Bob would resurrect this one famously in 1976 for 'The Last Waltz', but it wasn't allowed to be recorded for the concert film. He would also play it during 'MTV Unplugged; but it only made the rehearsals. A shame, the performance was very good both times.
'Something There is About You' is a very nice tune that is overshadowed by others on the album. Bob played it during the 1974 tour a handful of times, but it sadly never returned to his set lists. Its a love song featuring solid lead guitar work from Robbie, lots of harp from Bob, and a rare reference to his childhood in the lyric "rainy days on the great lakes / walkin' in the hills of old Duluth."
'Forever Young' is the most famous song on the album by far. The song is such a straightforward expression of love and sentiment that it seems sappy coming from Dylan. As the story goes, Bob heard Neil Young's 'Heart of Gold', thought it sounded like him, and wrote this song with that in mind. As another story goes, upon recording the track, someone in the studio responded with something akin to "what, you getting sappy in your old age?" and this almost caused Bob to not include the song on the album. Its a song that I didn't really care for when I first got into Bob, then I grew to appreciate quite a bit, and now I've heard it so much I'm not sure where I've ended up with it. Its not a song I ever look forward to hearing live, but the studio versions are impressive in their sentiment and performance.
'Forever Young #2' is the same lyrics and general chord progression as the first, but it has a completely different feel as it is sped up. This version has been immortalized by prime time television ('Parenthood' opening credits). Either way, somber or sweet, the song displays an undeniable optimism regarding family and life.
That optimism, though, is quickly abated. 'Dirge' is one the most venomous lyrics to come out of Bob's lips - on par or close to 'Idiot Wind'' that would be released the following year, as well as 2012's 'Long and Wasted Years.' Its an anti-love-song of sorts. But not the sweet, oh well, sad-to-see-her-go sort (e.g., Boots of Spanish Leather or Don't Think Twice). Bob opens on piano in minor chords, quickly joined by Robbie Robertson's staccato guitar riffs. There is no other accompaniment; Bob's piano rising to a crescendo at the same time his voice does. Robertson pulls off a fine fine solo as well. "I hate myself for loving you" is repeated over and over, and Bob spits out "Can't recall a useful thing you ever did for me" and "I paid the price of solitude, but at least I'm out of debt." In the end, he hates himself for loving her, but he sure will get over that. A sign of freedom, but wow what an ordeal he went through with this woman!
And that is followed by a simply sweet love song, 'You Angel You.' In typical Dylan fashion, he flubs the beginning of the first verse but decided to keep the take anyway with no overdubs. Both this song, and 'Never Say Goodbye' even more so, appear as though they are not necessarily finished, and just sort of end. 'Never Say Goodbye' is a fine song with very attractive lyrics and some fine harmonizing by the Band, to help cover up a vocal by Bob that sort of falls down at times. But the ending appears brusquely.
'Wedding Song' is one of the more unique in Bob's canon. A desperately beautiful, solo performed, straightforward listing of his love for his wife, although also steeped in the metaphors and similes that Bob is so talented at spitting out. In my opinion it is one of the top songs on the album. The melody and the performance is outstanding. In typical Dylan fashion the guitar playing is not technically proficient; he even can be heard brushing his arm against the guitar at times, recalling some of his early recordings. The harp solos are especially good; they are some of the best and most melodic he has ever recorded.
All in all, a solid solid album by Bob and Band. If 'Planet Waves' fails to recapture the lofty heights of Bob's mid-60s output, it began a run of mid-70s albums that would be Bob's first renaissance. A year later that renaissance would be in full swing, with Bob releasing perhaps his greatest album of all time, and following it up with one of his most highly regarded live tours.
Rating: 8 / 10 ******** / **********
Best 3 Song Run: Going, Going, Gone - Tough Mama - Hazel (but really you can make an argument for any stretch that doesn't include the opener).
'Forever Young' is the most famous song on the album by far. The song is such a straightforward expression of love and sentiment that it seems sappy coming from Dylan. As the story goes, Bob heard Neil Young's 'Heart of Gold', thought it sounded like him, and wrote this song with that in mind. As another story goes, upon recording the track, someone in the studio responded with something akin to "what, you getting sappy in your old age?" and this almost caused Bob to not include the song on the album. Its a song that I didn't really care for when I first got into Bob, then I grew to appreciate quite a bit, and now I've heard it so much I'm not sure where I've ended up with it. Its not a song I ever look forward to hearing live, but the studio versions are impressive in their sentiment and performance.
'Forever Young #2' is the same lyrics and general chord progression as the first, but it has a completely different feel as it is sped up. This version has been immortalized by prime time television ('Parenthood' opening credits). Either way, somber or sweet, the song displays an undeniable optimism regarding family and life.
That optimism, though, is quickly abated. 'Dirge' is one the most venomous lyrics to come out of Bob's lips - on par or close to 'Idiot Wind'' that would be released the following year, as well as 2012's 'Long and Wasted Years.' Its an anti-love-song of sorts. But not the sweet, oh well, sad-to-see-her-go sort (e.g., Boots of Spanish Leather or Don't Think Twice). Bob opens on piano in minor chords, quickly joined by Robbie Robertson's staccato guitar riffs. There is no other accompaniment; Bob's piano rising to a crescendo at the same time his voice does. Robertson pulls off a fine fine solo as well. "I hate myself for loving you" is repeated over and over, and Bob spits out "Can't recall a useful thing you ever did for me" and "I paid the price of solitude, but at least I'm out of debt." In the end, he hates himself for loving her, but he sure will get over that. A sign of freedom, but wow what an ordeal he went through with this woman!
And that is followed by a simply sweet love song, 'You Angel You.' In typical Dylan fashion, he flubs the beginning of the first verse but decided to keep the take anyway with no overdubs. Both this song, and 'Never Say Goodbye' even more so, appear as though they are not necessarily finished, and just sort of end. 'Never Say Goodbye' is a fine song with very attractive lyrics and some fine harmonizing by the Band, to help cover up a vocal by Bob that sort of falls down at times. But the ending appears brusquely.
'Wedding Song' is one of the more unique in Bob's canon. A desperately beautiful, solo performed, straightforward listing of his love for his wife, although also steeped in the metaphors and similes that Bob is so talented at spitting out. In my opinion it is one of the top songs on the album. The melody and the performance is outstanding. In typical Dylan fashion the guitar playing is not technically proficient; he even can be heard brushing his arm against the guitar at times, recalling some of his early recordings. The harp solos are especially good; they are some of the best and most melodic he has ever recorded.
All in all, a solid solid album by Bob and Band. If 'Planet Waves' fails to recapture the lofty heights of Bob's mid-60s output, it began a run of mid-70s albums that would be Bob's first renaissance. A year later that renaissance would be in full swing, with Bob releasing perhaps his greatest album of all time, and following it up with one of his most highly regarded live tours.
Rating: 8 / 10 ******** / **********
Best 3 Song Run: Going, Going, Gone - Tough Mama - Hazel (but really you can make an argument for any stretch that doesn't include the opener).
