Fallen Angels

Fallen Angels is the second installment in Bob Dylan's mid-2010s trilogy of standards albums, following 2015's Shadows in the Night. Recorded at the legendary Capitol Studios, the album features Dylan's touring band performing arrangements that eschew the traditional orchestral bombast of the Sinatra era in favor of a sparse, country-inflected jazz sound. The inclusion of pedal steel guitar by Donnie Herron is a masterstroke, recontextualizing these urban standards within a rural, American roots framework. Produced by Dylan under his 'Jack Frost' pseudonym and engineered by the legendary Al Schmitt, the record captures a high-fidelity analog warmth that highlights the character of Dylan's aging voice. While 'Skylark' is the only track not previously recorded by Sinatra, the album serves as a deep dive into the phrasing and emotional resonance of the 1940s and 50s pop era, showcasing Dylan as one of the great interpretive singers of his time.