COULSON, DEAN, MCGUINESS, FLINT Lo And Behold (Sire)

In my third or fourth fit of enthusiasm, I think this is the best record of the year and the best Dylan record since John Wesley Harding. Which last requires immediate qualification.

This record, contains 10 unfamiliar-tounheard-of songs written (or anyway, copyrighted) by Bob Dylan between 1963 and 1971. It was produced by Manfred Mann, whom Dylan once named the best interpreter of his songs. The musicians are Dennis Coulson (vocals), Dixie Dean (bass), Tom McGuiness (guitar) and Hqghie Flint (drums). Three of these guys (the two obvious ones plus Coulson, who played keyboards) were in a band called McGuiness Flint that put out a couple of records on Capitol several years ago. McGuiness Flint had one hit, “When I’m Dead and Gone,” and some favorable reviews. Their admirers compared them to the Band, but although I listened more than once to both albums I finally decided they weren’t even worth mentioning. Nondescript country-rock. I’ve never been crazy for the Band, either.