''Saved'' is the twentieth studio album by American singer-songwriter

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

, released on June 23, 1980, by

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...

. ''Saved'' was the second album of Dylan's "Christian trilogy". It expanded on themes explored on its predecessor '' Slow Train Coming'', with gospel arrangements and lyrics extolling the importance of a strong personal faith.

Artwork

The cover of ''Saved'' originally featured a painting by Tony Wright of

Jesus Christ Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...

's hand reaching down to touch the hands of his believers. However, this cover was subsequently replaced by a painting of Dylan on stage performing during that time period in order to downplay the overtly religious nature of the original cover. It has since been changed back on some re-releases. A quote inside the sleevenotes reads: "'Behold, the days come, sayeth the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah' (

Jeremiah Jeremiah ( – ), also called Jeremias, was one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible. According to Jewish tradition, Jeremiah authored the Book of Jeremiah, book that bears his name, the Books of Kings, and the Book of Lamentations, with t ...

31:31)".

Release and reception

The album hit No. 3 on the UK charts, reached No. 24 on the US charts, selling around 280,000 copies and did not go gold. ''

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'' described the album as an "open declaration of Dylan's deepening faith." Critical reaction to the album was mixed.

Robert Christgau Robert Thomas Christgau ( ; born April 18, 1942) is an American music journalist and essayist. Among the most influential music critics, he began his career in the late 1960s as one of the earliest professional rock critics and later became a ...

awarded the album a "C+", which is described by Christgau as "most likely a failed experiment or a pleasant piece of hackwork". Writing for ''

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'',

Kurt Loder Kurt Loder (born May 5, 1945) is an American entertainment critic, author, columnist and television personality. He served in the 1980s as editor at ''Rolling Stone'', during a tenure that ''Reason'' later called "legendary". He has contributed ...

praised Dylan's backing band, but felt that several songs were hampered by overtly religious messages, although he did single out "In the Garden" for having a "lovely, billowing arrangement". Loder stated that Dylan's efforts at a gospel album were not as remarkable as others "not just because he lacks the vocal equipment but because he's too inventive, too big for the genre", but summarised ''Saved'' as a gospel work with "some distinction". In 2020, ''

'' included ''Saved'' in their "80 Greatest albums of 1980" list, praising Dylan for being "at the peak of his vocal powers, and he’s rarely played with a better bunch of musicians". ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of three major weekly music industry trade magazines in the United States, with ''Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 as ''Music Vendor''. In 1964, it was changed to ''Record World'' under the ...

'' said of the single "Solid Rock" that "Dylan's latest inspiration is perhaps his greatest, as evidenced by this compelling rocker."

Track listing

Personnel

– guitar, harmonica, keyboards, vocals * Carolyn Dennis – backing vocals * Tim Drummond – bass guitar *Regina Havis – backing vocals *

Jim Keltner James Lee Keltner (born April 27, 1942) is an American drummer and percussionist known primarily for his session work. He was characterized by Bob Dylan biographer Howard Sounes as "the leading session drummer in America". Howard Sounes. ''Do ...

– drums *

Clydie King Clydie Mae King (August 21, 1943 – January 7, 2019) was an American singer, best known for her session work as a backing vocalist. King also recorded solo under her name. In the 1970s, she recorded as Brown Sugar, and her single "Loneliness ( ...

– backing vocals * Spooner Oldham – keyboards * Fred Tackett – guitar *Monalisa Young – backing vocals *Terry Young – keyboards, backing vocals Technical *

Barry Beckett Barry Edward Beckett (February 4, 1943 – June 10, 2009) was an American keyboardist, session musician, record producer, and studio founder. He is best known for his work with David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, and Roger Hawkins, his bandmates in the ...

– production *Gregg Hamm –

engineering Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...

*Bobby Hata – mastering *Mary Beth McLemore – assistant engineering *Arthur Rosato – photography *

Jerry Wexler Gerald Wexler (January 10, 1917 – August 15, 2008) was a music journalist turned music producer, and was a major influence on American popular music from the 1950s through the 1980s. He coined the term "rhythm and blues", and was integra ...

– production *Paul Wexler – mastering supervision * Tony Wright – artwork

Releases

Originally released in 1980 on LP and cassette, the album was first reprinted in 1985 and released on CD in 1990. ''Saved'' was remastered in 2013 for the release of '' The Complete Album Collection Vol. One''.

References

External links

Official lyrics
fro
BobDylan.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saved (Album) 1980 albums Albums produced by Barry Beckett Albums produced by Jerry Wexler Bob Dylan albums Columbia Records albums Gospel albums by American artists