Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan

When Bob Dylan strapped on a Stratocaster back in 1965, they called him Judas. So what happened when, some 15 years later, he turned to Jesus? Oh, the hue and cry, the gnashing of teeth, the wringing of hands as once again the Bard of Folk defied expectations. Of course, had Dylan not gone electric, there'd be no Highway 61 Revisited or Blonde on Blonde, for starters. And for all the scorn heaped on him when he proclaimed himself born again and released albums such as Slow Train Coming and Saved, it turns out that the material—while not as earthshaking as, say, "Like a Rolling Stone"—was pretty darn good, ultimately drawing some great gospel artists to record the Grammy-nominated 2003 CD Gotta Serve Somebody, the making of which is documented in this behind-the-scenes performance documentary. Highlights are many: Shirley Caesar preaching mightily before launching into the title track; Dottie Peoples' powerful version of "I Believe in You"; the Mighty Clouds of Joy's rockin', sanctified "Saved"; the Fairfield Four's stirring a cappella "Are You Ready"; and Dylan himself with "When He Returns" at a 1980 concert. What's most remarkable about these songs is their directness, coming from a writer whose hallmarks have so often been wit, wordplay, and enigma. He still gets off a few zingers, but for the most part, these are simple, affecting confessions of faith; although "I Believe in You" never mentions God by name, the message is still unmistakable ("I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter/I believe in you even though we be apart/I believe in you even on the morning after…"). The DVD includes numerous interviews (not with Dylan, alas), and the option to hear complete, uninterrupted versions of all the songs. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)