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1989: Oh Mercy

Episode 5 of 6

6 Music explores Bob Dylan's career over three decades. John Wilson looks back on 1989, when Dylan worked with Daniel Lanois in New Orleans and continued his 'never-ending tour'.

John Wilson continues to explore Bob Dylan's career at the end of three decades - 1969, 1979 and 1989 - and, with the help of those who have worked with and written about the enigmatic star, assesses the ways in which he re-invented himself at those times.

Tonight John looks back at 1989 and the album Oh Mercy, which was seen as a comeback and was the first album Dylan had written entirely himself for four years. Recorded in an imposing house in New Orleans and produced by Daniel Lanois (who had been recommended to Dylan by Bono). It was a return to form.

Dylan also stepped up his touring schedule, clocking up ninety nine concerts - an average he has kept up more or less every year since then on what he described as his 'never-ending' tour.

30 minutes

Last on

Tue 20 Dec 2016 02:00

Music Played

  • Bob Dylan

    KNOCKIN' ON HEAVENS DOOR

    • BOB DYLAN.
    • COLUMBIA.
    • CK-32460.
  • Bob Dylan

    POLITICAL WORLD

    • OH MERCY.
    • COLUMBIA.
    • 512-3432.
  • Al Jolson

    YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU

    • BEST OF AL JOLSON.
    • SPECTRUM.
    • HMNCD-4.
  • Bob Dylan

    Where Teardops Fall

    • OH MERCY.
    • CBS.
    • 465-8002.
  • Bob Dylan

    EVERYTHING IS BROKEN

    • FOREVER YOUNG.
    • CBS.
    • XPCD-116.
  • Bob Dylan

    Ring them bells

    • Oh Mercy.
    • Columbia.
    • 465800-2.
  • Bob Dylan

    MAN IN A LONG BLACK COAT

    • FOREVER YOUNG.
    • CBS.
    • XPCD-116.

Broadcast

  • Tue 20 Dec 2016 02:00