Street Legal-Dylan’s most underrated release?

I’ve always loved this album. I recently reaquired the 1999 remix and think it’s such an amazing and mysterious album. New Pony is so intense, No Time To Think might feature one of my favorite vocals of his, ever, due to the amazing inflection and wordplay. Where Are You Tonight might be his most underrated track ever.
Thoughts?

 

His best album, in my opinion.

 

Most underrated? I'm not sure but it's in my top 4 Dylan albums.

 

It’s definitely the one that I turn most to. So good from start to finish. But I feel like it’s almost an anomaly in his discography.

 

An excellent album,but I believe it is pretty well regarded overall.

Actually underrated? I'd go with "Saved," because it's a heartfelt take on traditional Southern gospel (unlike Slow Train, which is modern rock songs with religious lyrics).

 

I think we have a thread on Street Legal.

 

There were polls on songs. I did a search. Do you have a link besides the poll on individual songs?

 

I like the album myself, and it has a place in my psychedelic heart, although all recordings are pretty muddy. Not the greatest stuff for the "big rig".

 

Have you tried the 1999 remix? It’s like night and day compared to the original.

 

My favorite Dylan record as well... thanks to Robbie Fulks.

Five years ago, Robbie assembled an extraordinary band to perform this album in its entirety, a show previewed at that time by the Chicago Reader. I never paid much attention to Street-Legal prior to this performance, but Robbie's interpretation elevated these nine songs beyond recognition and expectation: here is "Is Your Love in Vain?" Robbie is now preparing a full-length, track-for-track Street-Legal studio album shaped by the arrangements he created for this show... there is a long blog post (which doubles as a deep dive on mastering, so strap in!) here.

In any case, it took one brilliant singer/songwriter to properly contextualize for me the efforts of an even more brilliant singer/songwriter... a fascinating dynamic, to be sure. Apologies to the OP if I've taken this thread off track, but I hope these musings add another wrinkle to the question posed in the subject line.

 

No apologies needed. I’ll definitely check this out. I’m so intrigued by this album.

 

My most underrated are Good As I Been To You and World Gone Wrong.

 

It's up there in the overlooked, under appreciated list. Following "Blood On The Tracks" & "Desire" was no easy task. While I don't think it's as good as those two & not quite top shelf Dylan... I think it's not far off & certainly makes the next to top shelf shelf. Don't know if it's the most underrated, but probably one of the 5 most so, at the very least... and kudos for mentioning "No Time To Think"- a great deep cut & probably my second fave after "Changing Of The Guard"!!

Others- "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" seems more well loved, but I prefer both "The Times They Are A-Changin'" & even more so "Another Side Of Bob Dylan". The latter may be my overall choice because not only do I think it's his best early, pre-electric work... it's just one of his best, period and it gets overshadowed by the brilliant, groundbreaking trilogy that follows it too.

Speaking of which... All 3 if those are amazing, but because "Bringing It All Back Home" is slightly less adored (like "Rubber Soul" to "Revolver" & Sgt. Pepper) I have to toss it out there too.

Very similar to "Street Legal" in their status in these regards are the early 70's, next to top shelf, terrific albums- "New Morning" & "Planet Waves"... a later effort that checks off all the same boxes as the aforementioned would be "Oh Mercy".

 

A good album but I'm still going with Empire Burlesque as most underrated

 

Is the 1999 remix on the complete album box ( seem to recall that’s the original) or is it on the CD/SACD from the SACD box?

 

It was blasted by the critics upon release, which might have caused it to be overlooked by some. I like it but I would not
put it on his Mt. Rushmore. "Changing of the Guard", "Where are you Tonight" are indispensable.

 

I have the one from the SACD box in 2003 and I have the Complete box. I like the '03 version much more due it sounding more open.

 

My favorite Dylan record. Insanely underrated.

 

It’s my understanding that the 1999 remix stands alone. The SACD and box versions are the original mixes, just remastered. I might be wrong regarding the SACD, though.

 

Regarding Robbie Fulks - any guy who writes a song about Susanna Hoffshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0ENzU2raP4 AND performs an entire Street Legal album is OK in my book.

 

It's my favourite Dylan album too. Every song's a winner.

 

Can't believe I've never heard of this.

It's this one right?
Bob Dylan - Street Legal

 

To my ears, "True Love Tends To Forget" is the best song on it. "Is Your Love In Vein?" reminds me a little to much of "Eres Tu."

 

Other than "Changing Of The Guard" the album sounds dated to me - as if he took his mid-70s sound one album too far. I haven't listened to it in a while but I also recall thinking the style of the backup singers sounded a bit dated for a 1978 record.

Regardless, where he went next (Slow Train) was a welcome refresh in my opinion.

 

It's half a good album. A few great tracks make it worth keeping it around. But still a huge drop off from Desire.