"Love and Theft" is Bob Dylan's thirty-first studio album, released on September 11, 2001, by Columbia Records. The album features backing from Dylan's touring band, with keyboardist Augie Meyers joining for the sessions. It reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. A limited edition of the album included two bonus tracks recorded in the early 1960s. On September 16, 2003, "Love and Theft" was remixed into 5.1 surround sound and reissued as part of a series of 15 Dylan titles remastered for SACD playback.
"Love and Theft" was Bob Dylan's first album recorded with his Never Ending Tour road band, a collaboration that continued through his subsequent eight studio albums. Guitarist Larry Campbell noted that the song “Po' Boy” showcased sophisticated chord changes, blending jazz elements with folk sensibilities, offering an early glimpse into the album's unique material.
Drummer David Kemper described the recording sessions for "Love and Theft" as a learning experience. He realized the album's sound was influenced by early Americana and styles from the early 20th century. Dylan’s deep knowledge of American music and his ability to introduce the band to obscure songs and styles were key to the album's creation. The band recorded the album in just 12 days in May 2001 at Clinton Recording in New York, with a spontaneous approach that saw Dylan frequently changing arrangements to fit the song's feel.
Engineer Chris Shaw, who had previously worked on Public Enemy's records, was praised by Dylan for his ability to capture his vocals effectively. Dylan appreciated Shaw's skill in adapting to the needs of each song. Shaw was later involved in recording and mixing Dylan's albums "Modern Times" (2006) and "Rough and Rowdy Ways" (2020), as well as other non-album tracks.
