Chris Shaw, Re: Bob Dylan's Desire

[crandallwarren]

I really enjoyed reading this month's interview with Chris Shaw. I'm a huge Dylan fan and I always love to read the experiences of the engineers and crew who have worked with him, because it sheds such a different light on his workflow and how the albums have come together over the years.

But I have to admit, my jaw dropped when Chris said that Desire was Dylan's 'Worst-sounding' record. Are you kidding me? I absolutely love the sound of that record.

Its got this incredibly organic, gooey, 'big room' quality to it- but you can still hear everything clear. Dylan's vocals are still right on top. I'm particularly fond of the drum sounds on that record. I've often been listening to Isis or One More Cup of Coffee and thought to myself 'next time I'm in a studio, I'm gonna play this track for everyone".

Anyways, Don Meehan and Howie Wyeth, you're still my heros! You too Chris.
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[lukievan]

I agree - great sounding record.
Also, this: http://www.timsah.com/Bob-Dylan-Isis-1975/q0QVrVl6x7x
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[recall]

me too. loved it for years. my favourite Dylan record.

I know what he means though, it's a very odd mix, but that is exactly why I like it.

[Peterson Goodwyn]

I've gotta agree with Mr. Shaw. For me, the copious reverb pushes it into an awkward place between the in-the-room magic of the mid-60's trio and the calculated auterism of, say, Time Out of Mind. It's not live enough to pull me in, and it's too badly executed for me to appreciate it from a distance.

Plus, the band isn't one of Dylan's better-sounding ones. Howard Wyeth is great, but his tone is pretty thwacky. I can take or leave the fiddle and bouzouki. And they almost run the train right off the rails on "Hurricane" a couple times.

I say all this because I LOVE the songs on Desire, and it has always stood for me as an example of how getting the production wrong really can knock the legs out from under great songs. To me the Rolling Thunder Review is the definitive document of the Desire songs.
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[Winstontaneous]

Funny, I think it's just an album that invites differing opinions.
It's my wife's favorite Dylan album, and my least favorite...I personally like Oh Mercy and everything since more than anything that came before.