Ever the spiritual nomad, the former Robert Zimmerman became a born-again Christian in the late '70s, a development strongly reflected in his work from that period. His second "Christian" album, SAVED celebrates the change just as emphatically as it's predecessor SLOW TRAIN COMING, with Dylan declaring proclaiming his faith in no uncertain terms on the title track. Even when he sings about the opposite sex on "Covenant Woman," it's a lady who has a "contract with God."

Backed by some of the most soulful musicians he's ever recorded with, including Barry Beckett, Spooner Oldham and Jim Keltner, Dylan wrings an unprecedented degree of emotion from his tunes. He even sings the hell out of the old country-identified spiritual "A Satisfied Mind" to open the album. Closing things out, "Are You Ready" finds Dylan (backed by a gospel choir) exhorting the listener to accept Jesus, over a sinuous funk-gospel vamp.