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DESIRE
was the studio realization of the Rolling Thunder revue's
sound. The musicians involved in this mid-'70s Dylan
project were more than a backup band; they forged a
distinctive musical vision, loose and swirling, the
perfect aural equivalent of the traveling gypsy/carnival
image they affected onstage. Drummer Howie Wyeth, who
possessed an uncannily sympathetic ear for accompanying
singer-songwriters, and violinist Scarlet Rivera, built
their careers on the foundation of the Rolling Thunder
band.
Many critics balked at Dylan's lyrical collaborations with
Jacques Levy on this album, but their reservations were
just glorified xenophobia. Levy's flowing, colloquial
style suited Dylan's music and delivery perfectly, and the
two produced several gems. "Isis" is an exotic
tale of intrigue that turns out to be a unique love story.
"Hurricane" breathlessly tells the true story of
Ruben Carter, a boxer framed for murder and acquitted
years after DESIRE'S release. It still stands as one of
Dylan's most exciting, emotional tunes.
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