Are mumbling old men funny?
When I think of Bob Dylan in 2001, I would be a lot more inclined to laugh at him than with him. He's a crusty old man with a singing voice that sounds like a stoned Gilbert Gottfried. But with Love and Theft, Dylan invites listeners to laugh along with him as he croaks out lighthearted lyrics against a background of spectacular musical versatility.
On Love and Theft Dylan goes old school--and I'm not talking back when LL wore Kangol old school, but back when this legendary geezer was a young man old school. Dylan's 43rd album rambles through country, ragtime, vaudeville, deep blues, the minstrel show and good ol' rockabilly with the help of the band--including Texas legend Augie Meyers on keyboard and the slick pluckin'-n-strummin' of Larry Campbell and Charlie Sexton--with whom he has played nearly 500 gigs in the last four years.
Despite all this talent, Love and Theft may have a trouble finding its niche in a Penn-esque market; it doesn't feature phat beats, dope hooks or a guest appearance by Billy Joel. But it is a masterful, original work by a timeless songwriter. If Bob Dylan's humor and versatility aren't over your head then Love and Theft will leave you with a smile on your face.
