How did "Oh Mercy" end up sounding so great?

Oh Mercy is a fantastic recording and is a Dylan favorite of mine, but in terms of the music itself, Dylan's releases starting with "Time Out Of Mind" are way more interesting to me these days than his older material. As a whole, they are very adventurous musically, bringing in a variety of American roots music styles regularly to embellish a strong base in the blues. His bands and musical sensibilities these days are adventurous yet still largely impeccable IMHO. Dylan's unique vocals are probably more hit or miss for many, but a hit for me. They just fit right into the fray and make things even more interesting and engaging. And he is able to deliver lyrics that keep me interested to hear what he will say next. HE has honed his skills in incorporating irony and humor into his poetry over the years. Still often profound, sometimes just silly, but also clever, fun and engaging, infused seemingly with new insights gained with age over the years, and usually something I am able to relate to. I really admire the fact that Dylan is still producing interesting and great sounding recordings and not just resting on his laurels or doing more of the same. He has been a true chameleon over the years and has achieved a musical peak in his later years, in addition to all his other older accolades. HE is truly a musical giant! We are all fortunate that he able to continue on. No telling what he might do next. HE has been way more consistently interesting than Neil Young, another of my favorite old timers, for example over the same time period, though NEil has come up with some standout stuff as well on occasion over the years.

One of the things that I found really fascinating about that video (link earlier in this thread) interview with Daniel Lanois is that "Oh Mercy" was recorded in a way that Dylan wasn't used to working. He just sat with Dylan and recorded him playing and singing the songs solo until he and Dylan got a version of each one that they were completely happy with the take. He would then talk to Dylan about "what kind of picture frame he wanted to put around the song," i.e., what musicians should they bring in to complement what had already been recorded. This means that the album is a thoroughly modern creation: created by layering and overdubbing in the studio. And yet, its sense of spaciousness and "air" is extraordinary. This is why I wish somebody that knew a lot more about the recording process than I do could explain how somebody gets a sound like that of a multitracked, studio recording, when so many other recordings made in a similar way sound so lousy.

Reb,
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I think it boils down to having a vision and desire the realize it, along with a good focus on detail and quality. Getting all that together is unfortunately usually the exception and not the rule.

"everything is broken" just came on as i was writing this. Great tune and awesome sound!

It's a great recording, great atmosphere but most of you have forgotten the most important thing......the songs.

Dylan was in great writing form then after a lean period.

Consider three of the songs left off....Dignity, Series Of Dreams and Born In Time.

I never felt Time Out Of Mind came close to Oh Mercy on any level.