That’s how I once heard Bob Dylan jokingly introduce “Gotta Serve Somebody” in concert, but it’s clear that his born-again faith has not disappeared from his music but only become more integrated into his art.

Bob’s born-again period is much-reviled by many, but those gospel songs are as passionate as “True” as Bob’s protest songs, his surrealist songs, his bitter love songs. Put simply, they are great songs. And now the folks who know what gospel is have put together a tribute album called, “Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan.”

The album Web site is actually very good, and features clips from all of the songs on the album by artists such as Aaron Neville and the Fairfield. No cover is as good as original Bob (even Jimi Hendrix muffed the lyrics to “All Along the Watchtower“), and I’m not particularly enamored of the over-emoting characteristic of black gospel music, but this should be a fun listen because the artists understand Bob’s faith and accept it wholeheartedly.

The capper, though, has got to be Bob’s duet with Mavis Staples on what sounds to my ears like a rewritten version of “Gonna Change My Way of Thinking.” I’m looking forward to hearing this album in its entirety.