Hello Everyone,

In these COVID days, news of Bob Dylan's latest release floated into my radar. I couldn't resist.


The double disc CD album was released on June 19th - aka Juneteenth. Coincidence? Not likely. One side of the CD folder shows an old-time black couple in a juke joint. The other side is a posed portrait of John F. Kennedy.

The release is titled Rough and Ready Ways/Murder Most Foul.  There is no jewel case. Just light weight cardboard that folds in two mimicking, on a mini-scale, the packaging one might have found on long-play vinyl LPs of years ago.  The discs themselves are decorated like long-play records. The vinyl album will be  available on July 17th. I couldn't resist.


The lyrics on the first disc are, as usual, a puzzle to figure out just what he's talking about. The backing grooves are an interesting mix as well, some bring back memories of slow old-time R&B. After listening long enough his nuanced voice grew on me. The songs aren't piercing enough to listen to while driving in your car.

The second album contains just the one song, Murder Most Foul. It's all about JFK's assassination. This contains tear-jerking historical references and prognostications.

At 79, Dylan's still the Master Bard.

Thought you might like to know.


Jack