New Morning - BOB DYLAN***

If Not For You/Day Of The Locusts/Time Passes Slowly/Went To See The Gypsy/Winterlude/If Dogs Ran Free/New Morning/Sign On The Window/One More Weekend/The Man In Me/Three Angels/Father Of The Night

New Morning was Bob Dylan's quick follow up to the poorly received Self Portrait. Unfortunately, the new release failed to fully restore his reputation with many critics. (US:7 UK:1)

"My main criticism of him during this stretch is not that he lost his genius, but that his genius was unfocused, manifesting itself on a handful of songs per album only. This is somewhat the case on New Morning, but there is enough strong material to recommend it."

"New Morning has flashes of greatness, like the minor hit If Not For You and the joyous Day Of The Locusts, but after that it peters out with uninspiring songs. You would be hard pressed to remember these tracks, unless you are a diehard fan."

"New Morning arrived a mere four months after the disappointing Self Portrait yet the two albums were like night and day. Gone were the cover songs, live tracks, and traditional folk songs and back was an album of original compositions. New Morning is sparse in places, simple, and earthy. It would begin the process of Dylan’s transition back toward a rock sound. The first three songs are just about as good as any three that Dylan would produce in the 1970s."

"As with Self Portrait, again this brings Dylan down from the throne, there's no will or energy to make the album alive, even amazing songs such as If Not For You are bad in the hands of its writer, Harrison's version is a million times better. There are many strong songs here nevertheless, but the production is very unfitting for a Dylan record, brings it down miles. Some good moments, some bad moments, along with Self Portrait, this is the worst record Dylan had released up to this point."

"It's got a back to basics feeling despite the more soul/gospel direction and reasonably big production, but still the feeling is a tad uninspired and jaded. However, it's a return to form after the weirdness of Self Portrait."

"The songwriting isn't as strong as sixties Dylan, but the sound is unique and generally laid-back with abundant use of piano. There are even a couple of minor classics in New Morning and Sign On The Window. If Not For You also has that status, but only when it was covered by George Harrison. If Dogs Run Free is fascinating, don't know if you can call it good, but it is enjoyable."