Bob Dylan Is Recording Another Standards Album
If you were among those who were pleasantly surprised by Shadows in the Night, Bob Dylan's excursion into the Great American Songbook, you're in luck. The legendary songwriter is working on a follow-up, according to famed recording engineer Al Schmitt.
“It’s going along great," Schmitt told Billboard. "He sounds great. His mood in the studio is fabulous. We’re having a good time. We’re like two old shoes together now, we’re so comfortable with one another now.”
As with Shadows, Dylan and his band are booked into Studio B at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. Schmitt, who has won more than 20 Grammys for his work with such names as Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Steely Dan and Toto, confirmed that Dylan was once again recording all standards, although it's unknown if, like its predecessor, all of its songs had been previously recorded by Frank Sinatra at some point in the Chairman of the Board's career.
Schmitt said that Dylan is once again producing the album, and has been surprised at Dylan's intelligence. “He’s extraordinarily smart," Schmitt added, "and he’s so aware of everything that’s going on, so he knows what’s happening at every moment.”
Shadows in the Night, on which Dylan took yet another left turn by offering his take on chestnuts like "Autumn Leaves" and "The Night We Called It a Day," has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category. You can check out our classic rock-centered guide to tonight's ceremony here.
Bob Dylan Albums, Ranked Worst to Best