Black Cat Bone

Astonishing. I hadn't played it for nigh on 25 years.

What struck me: the spontaneity, the urgency, the power of Bob's singing, well, everything at once.

And the lyrics got a new meaning for me. I thought: they're so descriptive of the dreadful times we are living in. Actually, I never have been someone who analyzes rock lyrics that much. Or tries to extract their depth, or, heaven forbid, find 'errors' in 'imperfect poetry'.

But now my intuition told me: this is where it's at, in early 2018.

A few of the Band-without-Bob numbers are a tad sodden, but otherwise it’s a thrilling document - real “without a net” stuff.

Charlie O. wrote:A few of the Band-without-Bob numbers are a tad sodden, but otherwise it’s a thrilling document - real “without a net” stuff.

That's what I meant! 'Without a net' describes it perfectly. Yes, there are bum notes, there are seconds of 'synchronizing' or tuning just before a song, not all mic levels are always right - but that only enhances the listening. I was so pleased to get re-acquainted with an old favourite.

All in glorious analogue, and not an autotune gadget in sight.