1988’s Down in the Groove was the other half of the one-two punch in the late 80s that began with Knocked Out Loaded. If possible, this one received even worse reviews than its predecessor. Rolling Stone called this Dylan’s worst album.
I don’t own it, so I can’t render my own verdict here. Sampling its songs, I can’t say I’ve been intrigued enough to spring for the whole album.
Six of the ten songs are covers, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does betray a lack of effort. Future covers albums by Dylan had a sense of purpose and a cohesive theme… this one seems to be stocked with filler.
Knocked Out Loaded at least featured ‘Brownsville Girl,’ generally accepted as a Dylan classic. The closest Down in the Groove comes is minor hit ‘Silvio,’ a jaunty track performed with the Grateful Dead. I have to admit I like this song quite a bit, but I think it might be the only thing worth owning from this album.
Next week… another comeback.
Looks like tomorrow is coming on fast
Ain’t complaining ’bout what I got
Seen better times, but who has not?
Silvio
Silver and gold
Won’t buy back the beat of a heart grown cold
Silvio
I gotta go
Find out something only dead men know
Honest as the next jade rolling that stone
When I come knocking don’t throw me no bone
I’m an old boll weevil looking for a home
If you don’t like it you can leave me alone
I can snap my fingers and require the rain
From a clear blue sky and turn it off again
I can stroke your body and relieve your pain
And charm the whistle off an evening train
I give what I got until I got no more
I take what I get until I even the score
You know I love you and furthermore
When it’s time to go you got an open door
I can tell you fancy, I can tell you plain
You give something up for everything you gain
Since every pleasure’s got an edge of pain
Pay for your ticket and don’t complain
One of these days and it won’t be long
Going down in the valley and sing my song
I will sing it loud and sing it strong
Let the echo decide if I was right or wrong
Silvio
Silver and gold
Won’t buy back the beat of a heart grown cold
Silvio
I gotta go
Find out something only dead men know
Meet Me In Montauk 
Good song.
I believe this was co-written with Robert Hunter.
I remember this song being released as the single. I find it decent enough.
Silvio is pleasant enough on disc but came alive in concert. Find a version from 1988 or 1989 and you’ll understand. The album is a dog’s breakfast of bits and pieces. By the time it came out, George Harrison and his mates had come to scrounge Dylan’s home studio for the day and the drought was over.
I really like Dylan’s version of “Shenandoah.”
Nice post.
“Down in the Groove” is not a bad album. It has no filler. It was made with good intentions. After its first pressing the label messed with it a little. Even so, it holds up. “Shenandoah” “Rank Strangers” “90 Miles an Hour Down a Dead End Street” “Death Is Not the End” — these are all good songs. And “Silvio” is a fun song that rocks.