Dylan has always been contrary: going electric in 1965, the born-again evangelism of the late 1970s, and his present refusal to play old classics in recognisable forms.  Being typical, rather than anomalous, features throughout his lengthy career.

That said, Christmas In The Heart is unexpected by any estimation. A modern-day scrooge, Dylan’s general misanthropy of recent years has been transformed, the limited edition version of this release even including Christmas cards.

The culmination of a love affair with the Bing Crosby era, this album delivers seasonal standards without the slightest hint of irony. Dylan’s cracked voice struggling to do justice to kitsch favourites is a rare moment of vulnerable humility. Descending his prophet’s pedestal to raise money for homeless charities, this could just be his most original and exciting album of the last decade.