Album: Christmas In The Heart
Recorded: 2009
Released: October 2009
Recorded: 2009
Released: October 2009
Songs / length: 15 / 42:21
Dylan's lifelong exploration of traditional American songs was destined one day to include Christmas music. While this 15-track collection is full of strong choices and imaginative reworkings, Dylan's singing can often sound weak – that said, given all profits from the album went to homelessness charities like Shelter in the UK, it's hard to be too critical. Seeing Dylan with his hair down in the music video for Must Be Santa, the lead single from the album, also provides some festive cheer.
On this track, and others like Little Drummer Boy and The Christmas Blues, which require little strain on the vocal chords, Dylan's approach works really well. On other, more traditional carols like Hark The Herald Angels Sing and closing track O Little Town of Bethlehem, the effect of listening to Dylan's voice being stretched to its gravelly limit can be excruciating. There are also some reinterpretations – for example, I'll Be Home For Christmas (too slow) – that are not to my liking, but more often than not there are moments of inspiration, like Silver Bells and The Christmas Song. I also have a particular fondness for Dylan's version of O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles), and can't help noticing the fervour with which he sings it – it sounds like Dylan still has Christ in its heart.
Album rating: C
Dylan's lifelong exploration of traditional American songs was destined one day to include Christmas music. While this 15-track collection is full of strong choices and imaginative reworkings, Dylan's singing can often sound weak – that said, given all profits from the album went to homelessness charities like Shelter in the UK, it's hard to be too critical. Seeing Dylan with his hair down in the music video for Must Be Santa, the lead single from the album, also provides some festive cheer.
On this track, and others like Little Drummer Boy and The Christmas Blues, which require little strain on the vocal chords, Dylan's approach works really well. On other, more traditional carols like Hark The Herald Angels Sing and closing track O Little Town of Bethlehem, the effect of listening to Dylan's voice being stretched to its gravelly limit can be excruciating. There are also some reinterpretations – for example, I'll Be Home For Christmas (too slow) – that are not to my liking, but more often than not there are moments of inspiration, like Silver Bells and The Christmas Song. I also have a particular fondness for Dylan's version of O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles), and can't help noticing the fervour with which he sings it – it sounds like Dylan still has Christ in its heart.
Album rating: C
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