Bob Dylan In The 80s Tribute Album Coming In March

On March 25, ATO Records will release Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One, a collection of songs from Bob Dylan’s most turbulent and divisive decade. “Wiggle Wiggle” anyone?

The album was conceived by producers Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, The Low Anthem) and Sean O’Brien (Dawes, PAPA), and covers material from 1980’s Saved to 1990’s Under The Red Sky, throwing in unreleased material from the “80s Basement Tapes” and The Traveling Wilburys along the way. Lauter and O’Brien drafted an eclectic crew of musicians, including Elvis Perkins, Built To Spill, Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash, Glen Hansard, Reggie Watts, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Lucius, Langhorne Slim, Craig Finn Of The Hold Steady, Deer Tick, Dawn Landes, Blitzen Trapper, and My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel.

A Deluxe iTunes edition will add seven bonus tracks, also included on the digital download card that will come with the vinyl version.

The album’s liner notes were penned by novelist Jonathan Lethem, who writes, “In the famously difficult art of going up against Dylan’s performance of his own material, a number of these reach the highest threshold. I hope Bob Dylan listens to this record, and plays it for his current touring band.”

“Given the benefit of decades more hindsight,” writes Lethem, “our Dylan was a lot better than anyone knew…Were one to begin compiling instances of greatness in the type of songwriting that defines our esteem for the earlier Dylan – complex, suggestive, glinting, cascading constructions – you’d hit a dozen examples even before the “comeback” of Oh Mercy.”

“80s Dylan is by no means a celebrated period in his career,” adds Lauter in a press release. “It was, in fact, the lowest point of his commercial success even though he released eight studio albums.” He continues, “Our goal was to showcase one of the greatest artists of our time during an off-rhythm period and bring a stronger sense of harmony to the material at hand. Sean and I did everything we could to make this album flow together sonically as if you were listening to a concept album.”

A portion of the album sales will benefit the charity Pencils of Promise, which builds schools and increases educational opportunities in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

You can pre-order the album online, and download Built to Spill’s “Jokerman” here. Check out the full track listing below.

 TRACK LISTING:

1) Langhorne Slim & The Law – “Got My Mind Made Up”(from Knocked Out Loaded, 1986)

2) Built To Spill – “Jokerman” (from Infidels, 1983)

3) Reggie Watts – “Brownsville Girl (Reprise)” (from Knocked Out Loaded, 1986)

4) Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) – “Sweetheart Like You” (from Infidels, 1983)

5) Ivan & Alyosha – “You Changed My Life” (from Shot Of Love outtakes, 1981)

6) Deer Tick – “Night After Night” (from Hearts of Fire Soundtrack, 1987)

7) Dawn Landes & Bonnie “Prince” Billy – “Dark Eyes” (from Empire Burlesque, 1985)

8) Tea Leaf Green – “Waiting To Get Beat” (from Empire Burlesque outtakes, 1985)

9) Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash – “Wiggle Wiggle (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)

10) Elvis Perkins – “Congratulations” (from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)

11) Hannah Cohen – “Covenant Woman” (from Saved, 1980)

12) Marco Benevento – “Every Grain Of Sand” (from Shot Of Love, 1981)

13) Yellowbirds – “Series Of Dreams” (from Oh Mercy outtakes, 1989)

14) Blitzen Trapper – “Unbelievable” (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)

15) Lucius – “When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky” (from Empire Burlesque, 1985)

16) Glen Hansard – “Pressing On” (from Saved, 1980)

17) Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) – “Death Is Not The End” (from Down In The Groove, 1988)

BONUS TRACKS:

1) Spirit Family Reunion – “Man Of Peace” (from Infidels, 1983)

2) Widespread Panic – “Solid Rock” (from Saved, 1980)

3) Grayson Capps – “Silvio” (from Down In The Groove, 1988)

4) Neal Casal – “Property Of Jesus” (from Shot Of Love, 1981)

5) The Low Anthem – “Lenny Bruce” (from Shot Of Love, 1981)

6) Jesse Elliott (These United States) – “Handy Dandy” (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)

7) Chastity Brown – “Saving Grace” (from Saved, 1980)