MoFi Bob Dylan Desire (Hybrid SACD)

A Multi-Platinum Masterpiece by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan cut Desire in 1976 with more than a dozen musicians, aided by a producer averse to multitracking and bent on tequila-fueled spontaneity. Reeling from the effects of his disintegrating marriage, Dylan penned some of the most heartfelt songs of his career, including “Sara,” a deeply personal exploration of his private life. Straddling the line between haphazard and organized, loose and deliberate, Desire lives up to its title — a masterwork that Dylan would not equal in creativity, performance, or lyricism for another twenty years.

Audiophile Hybrid SACD Edition

Sourced from the original master tapes, Mobile Fidelity’s numbered-edition hybrid SACD spotlights the raw, unfiltered energy of Dylan’s sessions. Many songs on this edition are first-take arrangements, experienced in a realistic fashion that allows chords to swell, vocals to naturally carry, and percussion to span a wide, immersive soundstage. Instruments such as bouzouki, accordion, mandolin, violin, congas, and piano gain their own space and color the music with intricate textures, bringing the sessions’ spontaneous vitality to life.

Eclectic, Narrative-Driven Music

Desire juggles myriad styles and owns up to no single theme. Disappointment and heartbreak related to Dylan’s broken relationship surface throughout, but the album never dwells in despair. Instead, it brims with vitality, wit, and adventurous musicality. Dylan’s collaboration with lyricist Jacques Levy adds narrative depth, crafting songs and stories that elevate the record’s eclectic charm. Each performance feels alive, unpredictable, and emotionally immediate.

Standout Moments of Emotion and Storytelling

On tracks such as “Hurricane,” Dylan delivers a protest song with enraged verses defending boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, its intensity heightened by swirling violin lines. In “Joey,” Dylan turns gangster lore into a dramatic epic, enriched by Emmylou Harris’ transcendent backing vocals. Songs like “Mozambique” provide a playful counterbalance, offering charm, rhythm, and lighthearted levity. In the profoundly intimate “Sara,” Dylan exposes his personal life with raw, unguarded emotion. Meanwhile, “One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below),” “Oh, Sister,” and “Isis” reveal his ability to weave folk, Mediterranean, and storytelling influences into timeless compositions.

A Landmark in Dylan’s Career

Desire remains one of Dylan’s most evocative and enduring albums. Its spontaneous arrangements, virtuoso performances, and narrative ambition ensure the record resonates decades later. The sessions’ first-take energy, combined with the breadth of instruments and textures, creates a sound that is immediate, immersive, and timeless. It’s no surprise that Rolling Stone ranks Desire #174 on its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, confirming its place as an essential recording in the canon of modern music.