"Tempest" is the thirty-fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on September 10, 2012, by Columbia Records. It was recorded at Jackson Browne's Groove Masters Studios in Santa Monica, California. Dylan wrote all of the songs himself, except for "Duquesne Whistle," which he co-wrote with longtime Grateful Dead associate Robert Hunter.
The album received acclaim from music critics, who praised its traditional music influences and Dylan's dark lyrics. Tempest peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and was Dylan's last album featuring original material until his 2020 release, Rough and Rowdy Ways.
The album Tempest was recorded from January to March 2012 and was produced by Bob Dylan under the pseudonym Jack Frost. The sessions took place at Jackson Browne's Groove Masters Studios and featured contributions from David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. Hidalgo, who had previously worked with Dylan, was initially surprised to find Mexican instruments like the accordion and the tres — a guitar-like instrument — in the studio. Dylan was intrigued by these sounds and welcomed them into the recordings.
Hidalgo appreciated Dylan’s openness to the Mexican instruments and praised Dylan’s creative approach. He remarked on how each of their recording sessions had been unique, reflecting Dylan's continual innovation in music.
The sessions were engineered by Scott Litt, known for his work with R.E.M., Nirvana, and The Replacements. Litt used a pair of old Neumann omnidirectional microphones, which allowed for a natural recording environment where multiple musicians could be captured simultaneously. This traditional approach created a distinctive soundscape, allowing Dylan’s voice to stand out without excessive manipulation.
