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List Price: $7.98 | | Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
Salesrank: 9703
Released: February 1, 2008 |
| Our Price: $3.86 |
| Used Price: $4.89 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Empire Burlesque Track Listing:
1. Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anyone Seen My Love?)
2. Seeing the Real You at Last
3. I'll Remember You
4. Clean Cut Kid
5. Never Gonna Be the Same Again
6. Trust Yourself
7. Emotionally Yours
8. When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky
9. Something's Burning, Baby
10. Dark Eyes
Empire Burlesque Reviews:
Come On Bob 
2008-07-02 - Don't throw things please, but as a huge Dylan fan, who owns just about everything he ever released, this one just never did anything for me. I play this every now and then, and nothing ever jumps out at me. I have to put it among Dylan's 3 worst. There is a reason why Amazon is selling it for $5.97. It's just not very good.
It is a necessary item to have for the true Dylan fan, but if you are just a casual observer, stick with the classics---like "Blonde On Blonde", "Blood On The Tracks" or "Highway 61".
The neverending mystery of Bob Dylan 
2008-06-26 - I probably listen to this album more than almost any other of his, and I own a lot of Dylan. During his entire career, Dylan has resisted being pigeon-holed, and this album is a perfect example of that, since it doesn't fit neatly into any easy category such as folk Dylan, country Dylan, rock Dylan, or gospel Dylan.
Some people think Bob Dylan sounds as if he gargles with drain cleaner. Though I actually like Dylan's voice most of the time, in my opinion, it's his song writing that makes him unique. I consider him one of the best lyricists of the last 30 years. Although his lyrics are not as tightly worked as they were earlier in his career, many of the songs on this album nevertheless offer those inimitable phrases for which he is so justly famous, such as "Something is burning, baby; here's what I say. Even the bloodhounds of London couldn't find you today," or
"You're the one I've been looking for,
You're the one that's got the key.
But I can't figure out whether I'm too good for you
Or you're too good for me."
The only song on the album I don't like is "Mixed-up kid." Both the words and the melody seem to go "blam, blam, blam." I end up feeling as if I'm being hit over the head with a hammer.
My suggestion is to approach the album with an open mind and give it a listen. It might just grow on you.
THE PROPHET BOBBY
2008-05-12 - pauses, puts his fingers to his right ear, the handle of his guitar in case which is strapped to his back peaks from behind his left shoulder. The Messiah listens, and says to his followers and disciples--while leading them on the PATH through the dunes of the endless desert called No Direction Home as, with each step, the sands roll out for him a carpet of gold, "I think I hear the distant sound of a synthesizer." What?! Lo and behold, the Prophet Messiah Bobby strayed off the PATH less traveled and onto the beaten path for JUST a moment, but his loyal disciples determined to keep Him on the Straight and Narrow, panic with deja vu.
GET REAL FOLKS! HERE'S THE 80's DEAL:
Some people got ruffled and objected to Bob doing the 80's sound instead of trailblazing his own path as usual. This album is no strange album and Bob Dylan has not gotten lost, and he still sings JUST LIKE Bob (except for When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky which has a slightly different style from his usual). It simply has the 80's sound. He just wanted to try something new for a while--can't he do that? Stop limiting him! This is not a shock as when he went electric.
This album is GREAT except for some relatively superficial observations. The SUPERB Lyrics to ALL these songs COME WITH THE INSERT, plus a sweet picture of him in a straw hat (accompanied by a dark-eyed lady).
I heard Emotionally Yours which I thought was outstanding. The words are very sweet even though some phrases may have been borrowed from the timeless wind of lovesongs. However, it still remains VERY MUCH his own personal heartsong. The sound is 80's, but it is the best of the 80's in this one. I just melted away when I heard both Emotionally Yours & When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky. You could have scooped me up with paper towels when I first heard these songs. When the Night Comes Falling . . . is a VERY exceptional and exquisite love song that comes exclusively from Dylan's own heart. The lyrics are superb: See me returning across the fields while my letters burn in your fireplace and smoke gets in your eyes, but now I have walked two hundred miles, it's the end of the chase, the moon is high, now look me over, more or less starts When the Night Comes Falling . . . in the first two stanzas. Later he says, "Stick around, baby, we're not through," "For all eternity I think I will remember that icy wind that's howling in your eye." This is an INCREDIBLE love song to say the least, and I just had to give Bob LOTS of credit for this alone, and I just have to give this CD 5 stars because it wouldn't have been fair otherwise with this song present. Anybody who gives this album 1 or 2 stars must be jealous of Bob or envious in ONE way or ANOTHER. The melody to this song is very good.
How are the other songs? Some are ok good to very good. My judgment is that #5 is weak and maybe Clean Cut Kid is weak, but it's not his own composition anyway. Here's the thing: There are "since 1964 fans" out there that are forever hung up on Bob ever since he started out with his acoustic guitar. Will they ever really become open minded and allow Bob to do what he wants to do? Oh Mercy is A TOP NOTCH OUTSTANDING Album--don't let anyone tell you differently, and this one is not to be discarded just because he tried something different in the 80's. I was a teenager in 1968, so I am a "Re-Born" Dylan fan, but of a slightly newer breed. If you are new to Dylan, don't always listen to his ancient fans--the ones that like to boast they are fans since 1964 or so. They like to strut their authority, a few are narrow minded & want to lead the troops down Purist Lane, and some have written downright horrendous miscarriages of justice in some reviews I've read. Bob wanted to do what HE wanted to do--not always please his purist fans.
Oh Mercy has reached enlightenment. This album has not necessarily reached that level of perfection, but it is WORTH buying FOR SURE. I really LOVED #2, Seeing the Real You at Last, and Bob sounds just like the Bob we know (and he sings it SO well!) in this REALLY WELL DONE 80's twist song, and Trust Yourself--besides my two favorite love songs.
There is an 80's sound to this album that caused consternation among fans--they got alarmed at Bob trying something new. What's the big deal? Oh well, they could have done it just slightly a little better here or there, he could have lowered his voice just a notch during When the Night Comes Falling . . ., but all in all this is a VERY GOOD CD. The drums are just a bit annoying in When the Night Comes Falling . . . (I still had to turn up the volume a notch), but I see it this way: Think of the drums positively as the POUNDING HEARTBEAT to When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky. The producer must have inserted something else after the original recordings, but no big deal for me.
Having done this first album with the 80's sound, maybe Bob's next one would have been EVEN BETTER--if folks WOULD HAVE LET HIM HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DO WHAT HE WANTS. Now since some people freaked out, Bob didn't do another 80's sound album after this one, as I see it. I would have LOVED to hear another one.
Dark Eyes is CLASSIC Dylan done with acoustic guitar & harmonica (for those fans that like CLASSIC Dylan).
(By the way, I had to turn DOWN THE VOLUME in Modern Times, his newest album)
Don't miss this album!!! Trust RATHER those who say this is a flawless album rather than those of opposite opinion. My only regret is that I didn't get this album sooner.
July 28, 2008, Note: When you click on "see all my reviews," it says that this item has been discontinued by the manufacturer!! I was VERY disappointed when I first noticed this because I wanted another copy. Just a few weeks ago, I got this CD brand new at the regular price--however, now I notice there seems to be an updated version (2008) with new CDs available at a good price. Don't let the occasion to buy this CD slip away because there is the REAL possibility Columbia could really take this off the market because fans didn't appreciate it. It would be terrible if you missed the occasion to listen to a GOOD Bob Dylan album. The cost of a Bob Dylan CD at premium price begins at $99.00! Don't ruin it, fans of Bob Dylan!
Entertaining!
2008-04-24 - This is an underrated album. Most Dylan fans don't like this because it doesn't sound like typical Dylan music, but the material is strong. The songs are more straightfoward, while still showing Dylan's wit as a lyricist. Empire Burlesque finds Dylan at his most confident in the studio since his 1976 album, "Desire". It also shows the return of Dylan's sense of humour, which had disappeared for quite a while. The lyrics to "Clean Cut Kid" and "Tight Connection To My Heart" (the latter being a damn fine pop song) are very humourous and clever. The lyrics to "When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky" and "Dark Eyes" are brilliant...they easily stand up to his greatest work. We've also got some real nice melodies with "I'll Remember You", "Never Gonna Be The Same Again", and "Emotionally Yours". All of which are simple love songs...the kind you don't get to hear too much from Dylan. "Something's Burning, Baby" is a great, catchy tune with an interesting arrangement and some sly vocals. There's some enjoyable funk going on with "Seeing The Real You At Last" and "Trust Yourself", as well. Overall, it's a very enjoyable album with some real great, inspired tracks. It's not a career highlight, but as far as 80s Dylan goes, this is about as good as it gets.
Highlights: Tight Connection To My Heart, I'll Remember You, Emotionally Yours, When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky (although the earlier version is much better), and Dark Eyes
Epic
2007-11-25 - Apart from a few grating moments, this is a flawless, epic Dylan album. Incredible lyrics, vast soundscapes, huge songs - this is a side to Dylan not seen on any other album. Highly, highly recommended.
