The Law of the Jungle and the Sea: Essential Dylan # 11

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1981
Caribbean Wind
Shot of Love Sessions
Caribbean Wind was recorded during the sessions for what is considered to be the last of Bob’s gospel albums, Shot of Love. This gem of a song was left off the album, but resurfaced later in Biograph along with other studio cuts that never saw the light of day. There’s an even earlier version of the song that’s locatable on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQIpNPyOPW4). Despite the final cut’s tacky “exhale” and other unfortunate 80’s studio-produced baloney, I think it’s better than the demo.  All that history aside…

At it’s heart, this is a raw, sailing song steeped in mysticism, religion, and romance. The verses pour onto one another like all the best Dylan songs, from Miami to Atlantic City, the cold grey sea casts it’s light if you look at it from the right perspective. This song somehow ties together the romantic raggedness of Street Legal, the spirituality of Shot of Love, and the dark mysticism of Infidels. Cast your sails and ride with Bob on his epic journey through the dark heat of the seas.

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