Fallen Angels
Bob Dylan
Columbia Records
Three stars
His own songs have been covered by hundreds of artists and now Bob Dylan is turning the tables for a second time in as many years. On Fallen Angels, released a year after the similarly themed Shadows in the Night, Dylan once again offers his interpretations of American standards popularised by Frank Sinatra. Opting to use his own band, and not an orchestra, Dylan creates a relaxed, mellow mood and sounds in fine spirits as he croons his way through 12 familiar songs, including Young at Heart and That Old Black Magic. Dylan has long dabbled in cover songs, both on his records and in concert – this is not even the first time he has released entire albums of cover versions back-to-back. The last time he did it, in 1992 and 1993, Dylan revisited the folk songs that powered his ascent in the early 1960s. Those records – which preceded a late-career renaissance – kicked off with 1997's Time Out of Mind and were met with a shrug by many longtime Dylan fans. Those looking for new Dylan material may feel the same kind of ambivalence to Fallen Angels.
* Scott Bauer / AP
