Bob Dylan's status as the most respected songwriter in rock has been holding firm for decades and isn't likely to be challenged any time soon. No matter how celebrated or venerable you may be, you're probably going to end up singing his praises at one time or another, and 40 years on from the release of
the Pretenders' instant-classic debut album,
Chrissie Hynde certainly qualifies as celebrated and venerable, even if that description seems a bit stodgy for someone with plenty of creative vitality left. After the release of
Dylan's epic-length song "Murder Most Foul" in 2020,
Hynde, who was sunk deep in creative doldrums, began revisiting his songbook, and soon she and
Pretenders guitarist
James Walbourne were passing files back and forth from their home studios, working out arrangements and embellishments for tunes penned by
the Bard of Hibbing. This experiment in home recording grew into an album, and 2021's
Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan finds her digging deep into nine of his songs. The arrangements are simple, often just
Hynde's voice and her and
Walbourne's guitars, and the focus is firmly on her voice. Sounding smart, tough, thoughtful, and a little bit sexy,
Hynde's vocals have always been strong and evocative, and she knows how to make her delivery work in favor of
Dylan's lyrics. The performances here are rarely groundbreaking, but
Hynde the Songwriter clearly understands what makes these songs click, and uses that knowledge to take
Hynde the Chanteuse through a handful of compelling performances, bringing color and shade to
Dylan's imagery and reinforcing the strengths of his wordplay.
Hynde's confidence and intuition fill out these songs beautifully, and if the backings are simple, they confirm that while he's most acclaimed as a lyricist,
Dylan knows how to write a great melody, and
Hynde and
Walbourne honor those as well. The lovely interpretation of "In the Summertime" from
Dylan's oft-maligned 1981 LP
Shot of Love is a valid reminder that even his weakest albums include songs well worth investigating. With just nine tracks,
Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan feels a bit more like an EP than a proper album, but
Hynde's takes on
Dylan's songs are savvy and satisfying, and she's more than done right by one of her acknowledged inspirations. ~ Mark Deming
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