Bob Dylan, explored
‹ Gospel
Cover of Saved

Listen to the album

Why it matters

A fuller gospel record, cut with his touring band and backing singers, that captures the fervor of the gospel-only concerts.

Dylan returned to Muscle Shoals with Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett in February 1980, this time with the band he had been touring with since late 1979: guitarist Fred Tackett, bassist Tim Drummond, drummer Jim Keltner, keyboard players Spooner Oldham and Terry Young, and a group of gospel singers. Those shows were made up only of his new religious songs, and the album tries to bottle their energy, though it was cut quickly and some felt it lacked the spark of the stage. It sounds rawer and more churchlike than its predecessor, with call-and-response vocals, rolling piano and organ. It opens with a country gospel song, the album's one cover. Released that summer with a painting of a reaching hand on the cover, later replaced, it sold poorly and drew lukewarm reviews. Many listeners have since rediscovered these songs through live recordings from the tours.

Track list · 9 songs

  1. 1A Satisfied Mind
  2. 2Saved
  3. 3Covenant Woman
  4. 4What Can I Do for You?
  5. 5Solid Rock
  6. 6Pressing On
  7. 7In the Garden
  8. 8Saving Grace
  9. 9Are You Ready

Where its songs lead

Covenant Woman · Same theme asPrecious Angel1979Both are love songs to a believing woman that double as thanks for her part in his conversion.In the Garden · Same theme asWhen He Returns1979Both are gospel-era songs centred on Jesus himself, one retelling his life and resurrection and the other awaiting his return.

Read onWikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗