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The result is a sound and a set of songs unlike anything Dylan or anyone else has ever done before…. The lyrics of “Sara” and “Abandoned Love” (and, for that matter, of “Isis” and “Hurricane”) could not be more perfect, but overall the triumph of Desire is musical
~Paul Williams (BD performing artist 1974-86)

Recorded in the summer lull before the first Rolling Thunder tour and released soon after it, the stand-out tracks are ‘Isis’, ‘Romance in Durango’ and ‘Black Diamond Bay’, but ‘Hurricane’, ‘One More Cup of Coffee’ and ‘Oh Sister’ are breathing down their necks.
~Michael Gray (BD Encyclopedia)

 

Studio E
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
30 July 1975
4th Desire session, produced by Don DeVito

On the night of July 30, 1975, Dylan returned to Studio E with a smaller group of musicians, including Stoner, Rivera, Harris, and drummer Howie Wyeth (a friend of Stoner’s who was hired by Dylan on Stoner’s suggestion). For the most part, this group of musicians formed the core of the Rolling Thunder Revue. The difference became apparent early on in the session, when a usable take of “Isis” was recorded on the first try. Both Dylan and Stoner were pleased with the session, and Stoner suggests that the more intimate sound was much closer to the sound of the completed album.Five of the nine songs from Desire were recorded at that session, as well as a slow version of “Isis,” the original master take of “Hurricane”, the single-only release “Rita Mae,” and a successful take of “Golden Loom” that was later released in 1991. Of the participating musicians, only Emmylou Harris was dissatisfied with the results. It would also be her last session, as she had prior commitments with her own career.~Wikipedia

Songs:

1. Golden Loom
2. Golden Loom
   released 26 March 1991 – The Bootleg Series (Rare & Unreleased) 1961-1991, Volume 3
   
   
   –
   
3. Golden Loom
4. Golden Loom
5. Oh, Sister (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
6. Oh, Sister (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
   released 16 January 1976 – Desire
   
   –
   
7. Oh, Sister (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
8. Oh, Sister (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
9. Oh, Sister (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
10. Isis (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
11. Isis (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
12. Rita May (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
13. One More Cup Of Coffee (Valley Below)
    released 16 January 1976 – Desire
    
    
    –
    
14. One More Cup Of Coffee (Valley Below)
15. One More Cup Of Coffee (Valley Below)
16. Black Diamond Bay (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
17. Black Diamond Bay (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
18. Black Diamond Bay (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
19. Black Diamond Bay (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
    released 16 January 1976 – Desire
    
    
    –
    
20. Black Diamond Bay (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
21. Mozambique (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
22. Mozambique (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
23. Mozambique (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
24. Mozambique (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
    released 16 January 1976 – Desire
    
    –
    
25. Hurricane (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
26. Rita May (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
27. Rita May (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
28. Rita May (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
    released 30 November 1976 – Single
    
29. Joey* (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)
    released 16 January 1976 – Desire
    
    –
    
30. Joey (Bob Dylan–Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan)

*overdubbed 11 August: Vincent Bell (guitar & mandolin), Dom Cortese (accordion)

Recorded 8 pm – 8 am

Musicians:

• Bob Dylan (guitar, vocal)
• Emmylou Harris (vocal)
• Scarlet Rivera (violin)
• Mel Collins (tenor saxophone)
• Sheena Seidenberg (tambourine & congas)
• Rob Stoner (bass)
• Howie Wyeth (drums)

Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton & Emmylou Harris – 28 July 1975 recording session

Related articles @ JV:

• Bob Dylan recording sessions
• Bob Dylan – Desire
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• Johannasvisions @ Facebook
• Bob Dylan top 200 songs
• Bob Dylan videos @ Johannasvisions.com
• Bob Dylan albums @ Johannasvisions.com
• Bob Dylan concerts @ Johannasvisions.com

References:

• Still On The Road – Olof Björner