The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

His first great album. One that requires multiple listens. Important to note he was like 22 writing these words. This is the album that set the stage for modern music that actually means something

The Freewheelin’ I have heard Blowin’ in the Wind too many times. Clearly it's a great song, but the album only really starts for me with ever superb Girl From the North Country, the template for wistful, lovelorn sad boy singer-songwriters, but no one gets close to the brilliant tenderness and acceptance of this song, and you can really feel the heaviness of the wind and cold at the borderline. Masters of War occasionally veers towards heavy handed 60s folky earnestness, but it’s testament to his skill that it never really tips into it, drawn along masterfully by the relentless, mesmeric guitar. Down the Highway and Bob Dylan’s Blues are also testament to his fully formed troubadour persona that two relatively slight songs can still be so captivating. A Hard Rain and Don’t Think Twice are a superb pair of songs, right in the middle of the album, both with that same tenderness of Girl From the North Country, even if the latter is a song of goodbye. Bob Dylan’s Dream seems to me to signal some of his classic mid 60s albums, in its unfolding stream of consciousness feeling, like it could take up a whole side on a later double album. I’ve always liked Oxford Town, even if it is relatively slight. I absolutely love the melody of Corinna, Corinna, and it benefits from the classical Spanish arrangement and percussion, a wonderful version of the song. I like how I Shall Be Free feels like the flip side of Talkin’ World War III Blues, a nice bit of comic puncturing of some of the preceding earnestness. He essentially nicked a load of folk melodies that other people taught him to make an album that still sounds excellent 60 years on proves the aphorism that talent borrows and genius steals. 5. 🌨️🌨️🌨️🌨️🌨️ Playlist submission: Girl From the North Country

thought it was fun

This challenge has ruined my perception of Bob Dylan, but this one isn't as bad.

Very neatly 5 stars. Just let down by one or two boring songs. But mainly brilliance.

More Dylan and I'm feeling about the same, good stuff but not super my thing. I like the harmonica in Dylan's music even if he spams it a bit and the folk guitar sound is nice. Some pretty forward thinking song writing for its time.

I like the politically conscious songs. I don't really care for the ones about women. Overall it's a great album. My favorite song is masters of war.

Day 80 You know I once told Bob, "are you sure people will listen to you if you walk down the street?". Bob replied "the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind." That shut me up. That man can walk down the street whenever he damn pleases. Fav track: Masters of War

Some classics, and very earnest-sounding music. But Dylan's voice and guitar-playing leaves something to be desired.

Powerfully sparse musically, Nobel-prize worthy lyrics (at 22!).

The first of the best Dylan albums. Although if we're takin' early Dylan, I prefer the energy of the first album.

Really boring

Боб Дилан он и в Африке Боб Дилан. Очень уважаю его, но никогда не понимал как можно его слушать и наслаждаться. Очевидно, что главное достоинство Дилана – это тексты, которые я не вполне способен прочувствовать из-за языкового барьера. Конкретно этот альбом довольно неплох, в нём есть интересные музыкальные темы, иногда сопровождаемые странными, зубодробительными звуками губной гармошки. А ещё этот голос! Бобу Дилану на момент записи было ровно столько же лет сколько мне сейчас, то есть 21, но если бы я этого не знал, я дал бы все 60. 3 балла, потому что Дилан является любимым музыкантом моих любимых музыкантов. Лучшая песня: Masters of War

It’s some damn good bob Dylan, but I don’t much like Bob Dylan.

masterpiece

Masterpiece. Love Bob Dylan, one of my favourite artists

Some great songs but rest is boring

Kolmas Dylan-albumi minulle tällä listalla. Tätä kuunnellessa tuli mieleen, että arvioinko tätä albumia, yksittäisiä biisejä vai Dylania artistina. Albumilla on kaikki kohdallaan. Maailmanluokan mies ja kitara -albumi mitä osasin odottaakin. Avausraita kaikkien klassikoiden äiti Blowin’ in the wind. Ja siinä ehkä on ongelma: albumi varmasti oikeasti ansaitsisi 5 tähteä mutta kun mikään biisi ei enää yllä avausraidan tasolle. Ei yhtään heikkoa lenkkiä mutta Dylanin jättihitit ovat jättihittejä syystä, kaikki biisit eivät kerta kaikkiaan voi olla samaa tasoa. Huuliharppu taas eritttäin pintaan miksattu mikä alussa tuntui jopa häiritsevältä mutta siihen tottuu. Henkinen paini 3 ja 4 tähden välillä mutta onhan tämä maailmanluokan albumi, joten 4/5 on ansaittu. 4/5

Inte den jävlen igen. Beatles, Bod Dylan och Elvis kan dra åt helvete.

Listen… clearly Blowin’ in the Wind is iconic and an absolute tune. BUT. The problem is the rest of this album is a bit shite.

I think this has a real chance, with a couple relistens, of becoming my favorite Bob Dylan album. There's something really comforting and soft about the guitars on this album that makes it really appealing, I had a really good time with this. There's also a lot of really strong commentary in it, it's like the whole pre-electric Dylan package. I can't believe I didn't know any of these songs before. Favorites: Blowin' In the Wind, Masters of War, Talkin' World War III Blues

One has to wonder if someone listening to this album in 1963 would have any idea that this music and musician would remain integral to music and culture 60 years later. After reading the book entry for this album, I was curious and from 1963 to present there has not been a single year where Bob Dylan was not covered on a studio album. All told he has been covered by about 700 different artists, representing almost every genre you can imagine, over 1650 times. Many of the songs on Free Wheelin’ are among those most covered. Dylan must be the most important song writer to ever live and I think it is unlikely anyone will ever surpass him. This was Dylan’s second album, but the first where he found his voice. It was also where he first becomes widely noticed. Just three years later, in 1965, his songs were covered 113 times in recorded albums. It is remarkable that a 21-year-old managed to write such beautiful, often profound tunes. The music here is sparse, which allows the listener to focus on what Dylan is saying and perhaps to ponder his social commentary and call for change. Overall, this was a beautiful and highly influential album. It is among the most important folk albums ever recorded and is exactly the sort of album that you must hear at least once before you die.

Get in the sea 60s music! You gave me a slight reprieve generator, but you can't help yourself, can you?! Not heard this specific album, but I didn't particularly enjoy Dob Bylan previously. --------------- Ponderous pompous plucking. This sent me to sleep. Songs that run indistinctly into eachother, acoustic guitar plucking that barely seems to shift and predictable harmonica screaming that seems to not want to allow the listener time to be. A voice that exits the nose, song structures that are incoherent and a constant tempo with no variations throughout. Oxford town and Corrina,Corrina the vest of a bad bunch. 1*

I don't think I get the appeal of Bob Dylan. That surprises me because I am a fan of a lot of artists that I would consider adjacent to him: Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, etc. I like poetic lyrics, a simple and folky sound, harmonica, and unique singing voices, so all of the elements are there. I just can't get into his sound for the most part. I can certainly appreciate his bigger hits, a few of which are on this album. There are other standout tracks from his discography too - on this album, I like Bob Dylan's Dream. It's not bad music, but I guess it just doesn't resonate with me for some reason. There are still like 4 more of his albums yet to listen to, so maybe I'll be a fan by the end. This is a 3.5 star album for me but I'll round up this time.

Callie seems to be a big fan of Bob Dylan today. Stomping her feet and “more dass”. There must be something in these raspberries.

I feel like Bob Dylan makes kids music for adults. *Sad harmonica noises*

I honestly like this just as much, if not more than his later stuff. This feels more raw, and true to his singer song writer roots. Catchy guitar riffs, poetic meaningful lyrics, and harmonica breaks, nothing else really needed for this type of music. I like the hits on here, Blowin in the Wind, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Don't Think Twice. The rest fades together for a pleasant listen, where I wander in and out of paying attention to what he is saying. If anything this list has taught me that I often don't appreciate the meaningfulness and story telling aspect that singer song writers usually excel in. Mainly due to the fact of when I listen to music, I am often doing something else, which often allows the meaning to fall to the wayside. Yes that is on me, but its just how I listen to my tunes and my personal tendency. So I will just have to trust y'all that what Bob is saying is really great. Still for my taste, I am wanting more... a 4 would feel slightly too generous here. 7/10

Masterpiece! The album takes me back to the time when it was made. Whenever I listen to it, I feel somehow carefree, and a sense of happiness washes over me, even though the themes themselves aren’t necessarily that happy

Fave Dylan. Listened to: at Denargo. Favorite tracks: Blowin in the Wind, Dont Think Twice It's All Right

Definitivamente não é o gênero que tenho hábito de ouvir. Começou com uma música que seria facilmente uma trilha sonora de um filme clichê da sessão da tarde. Não dei conta de ouvir tudo, achei ruim

Blowing in the wind Hard rains gonna fall Don’t think twice

Two Dylan Albums in the same week, albeit releases are separated by over 3 decades and you can really hear the difference. This is much more of the style im familiar with, acoustic guitar, some harmonica and his vocals just laying out husky folk. The delivery of his lyrics remain the utmost highlight of his songs, they take their time, linger when needed and always hit on the rhymes with a poignant message layered throughout.

Solid Dylan album and Dylan has grown on me a lot over the years. Not really a bad track and several great hits.

This is tough because I deeply appreciate the feelings and lyrics and the richness of emotion but I really think if this was sung by someone with a really good voice it’d be a 6 out of 5 without question. But all things considered, from poeticness to musicality this is not a perfect score for me

Flawless. I think only corrina, corrina had an instrument other than bobs voice, a guitar, and a harmonica. He doesn’t hide his songwriting behind anything, and it shines. Few songs make me feel the way “don’t think twice it’s alright” does. It’s been a comfort of a song over the last few years. This album helped me immensely.

Music has both purpose and sound. Robert Zimmerman has both in a one-of-a-kind combination that is far greater than the sum of its parts. This is the quintessential breakup album. I remember going through a breakup and my friend told me to listen specifically to "Don't think twice it's alright". Bob doesn't just evoke an emotional response. For me, he has triggered emotional development. And he's so good at guitar!!

Very thought provoking lyrics in most songs and a heavy anti war message through some songs. Unfortunately for me personally the sometimes nonsensical lyrics and repetitive rhythms took away from the experience. Over all a great listen but not for me personally.

Highlights: Blowin' In The Wind Girl From The North Country Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Once again Bob Dylan and his harmonica, it’s all right, definitely not for me

Although I don't think this is necessarily Bob Dylan at the height of his powers, this is a terrific album and one that shows essentially where he started from. Maybe the most pure folk album he ever released (outside of his debut) and there is some terrific stuff on here. This album really showcases him as a pure folk singer, which I think is very important in his history. 4.5⭐️

I love bobby d

Very nice, not quite what I would typically listen to though.

6/10

Has to be a 5

Swings effortlessly between furious anger, heartbreaking sorrow and rich poetry, blending the comfort and familiarity of classic folk with iconoclastic 60s politics. And all when he was 22. Just incredible.

I mean it’s Bob Dylan.

great music, great story...just not into his vocal delivery. shame.

3.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/bob-dylan/the-freewheelin-bob-dylan/ Definitely not bad. Songwriting is interesting, lyrics (as far as I really paid attention to them) are good. But that fucking harmonica mannnn. It's so loud and out of tune. Every time it's used it's just grating and hardly adds anything as it's the same thing each and every time. Stop it, Bob!

Just one guy, a guitar and a harmonica. And it STILL goes hard, carried by beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics. Not all songs are as memorable, but there are few amazing ones in there that make it all worth it. Faves: Blowin' in the Wind, Masters of War, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Amazing album! One of Bob Dylan's best! It definitely has that classic Bob Dylan sound but the guitar is less prevalent. There are some political songs on the album like Masters of War- an anti-war song. After all, Bob Dylan did support the Civil Rights Movement very strongly. Wonderful album!

Dylan isn’t my favorite, but there are some undeniable tunes here. Hard Rain in particular is fantastic.

My second fav album by Dylan, but it still just so. good.

Not sure if it is nature or nurture, but this album lives in my soul.

3.5/5

This might be a 4. I feel like I’m supposed to love all Dylan, but some doesn’t resonate that much while others is the cream of the crop.

Probably my favorite Bob Dylan album I have gotten so far. Lots of hits on here, but the deep cuts are just as good. As with most Dylan, I think these songs will grow on me the more I hear them and listen to their lyrics. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The hits carry this album. Sometimes Bob Dylan for me can be hit or miss for me, and today he’s hitting but the stars of the album are stores for a reason and I will always enjoy those songs.

I love Bob Dylan, I love folk Dylan, I love electric Dylan, I love young Dylan, I love old Dylan. It's hard to be unbiased. If you don't believe the man is a deserving Nobel Prize winner, listen to Blowin' in the Wind and tell me he isn't a poet with a guitar. Sometimes there's a man. I won't say a hero, because, what's a hero? But sometimes, there's a man. And I'm talking about Bob Dylan here. Sometimes, there's a man, and well, he's the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. Girl from the North Country is such a beautiful song, and his duet with Johnny Cash on Nashville Skyline just goes to show how versatile his songs are. Maybe it's more of a commentary on how great songs transcend genre. This album is incredible, Masters of War is terrific. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall is a beautiful song, I love it. It's in the running for the best Bob Dylan song and that's saying something. The quality of his lyrics is unparalleled, he's like a modern day Shakespeare. This album has so many great songs, and this is effectively the debut of him as a songwriter. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right is another historically great song. Corrina, Corrina is another great song. I've listened to this album so many times, but this is maybe the most I've thought about it while I was listening to it and it is blowing my mind. A great Bob Dylan album which puts it in the running for one of the greatest albums of all time.

One of the great folk albums

Even more than 'Paranoid' even, as significant a sophomore album as has ever been made in that it followed a largely ignored (full of traditional covers) debut album. As the Beatles were wanting to hold your hand, this contains Blowin' in the wind, girl from north country, masters of war, hard rain and don't think twice - five of the most significant songs of the period; and songs like world war 3 blues, Bob Dylan's blues and dream we have songs that became live one man show audience favourites. I had forgotten that Corinna Corinna has other instruments playing - looking forward to 1965. Despite it being rather long for a 1963 album (49 minutes next to 25 minute Beach Boys albums and 30 minute Beatle albums).

Growing up, I found Bob Dylan‘s voice to be a bit greeting, like many people I suppose. I certainly appreciated his lyrics, but never did a deep dive on his music. This is probably the first Bob Dylan album that I’ve listened to start to finish. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Blowin’ in the Wind is a classic, but many other songs on this album were quite good and the lyrics still very poignant today.

This will be forever an amazing album

Fierce Folk Rock. Music is pleasant, lyrics are sharp.

I listen to this angry young man and wonder how he feels about our lack of progress today. "I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests, I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans, ... I saw 10000 talkers whose tongues were all broken, I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children, ... I met another man who was wounded in hatred, And it's a hard, it's a hard, It's a hard, it's a hard, It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall."

Don't normally like listening to Dylan, but I enjoyed this one.

iconic and just beautiful writing, but you kinda get sick of it after a few songs. still a great album and artist.

A real joy to experience this stripped away Dylan. Definitely more rough around the edges but that's also an exciting thing.

First Listen Favorites: A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall Bob Dylan's Dream Oxford Town Honorable Mentions: Bob Dylan's Blues

4.3/5 - waaaa-wa-waa-waaaaa *harmonica sounds louden* WAAA-WA-WAWA-WAAAaaaAAAaaaa-

Absolutely defining, poetic and enthralling. Always a good listen and always a new line that sticks out. Over time even the harmonica becomes visceral.

1/1001. Nota 7

As much as you can say Dylan’s doing a sort of odd emulated performance built out of his influences, and as much as I might say the album’s too long and the tunes feel like songs designed to be playing in a folk club in instrumentation but also in sort of “here’s a pause in lyrics for claps and whoops”, it’s a great show of an emerging talent. He does have a knack for lyrics that feel pointed without being unsubtle, and for a witty turn of phrase as much as an emotional one, and it shines through repeatedly. Keeping an eye on this emerging talent Bob Dylan guy.

As much as I want to be a Bob Dylan hater I just can't commit to the bit, there are enough good songs on here that I admit I enjoyed most of this. Ironically I like his longer, more rambly songs better than some of the short ditties, which are pretty forgettable aside from Blowin' in the Wind. I prefer Dylan's electric stuff overall but this album is definitely significant.

Love love love it. Didn't realize I'd like the later songs on this album as much as I did

LOVE THIS ALBUM!! I'm excited to listen to it fully now - very good!

9/10

It was a good listen. Classic Dylan. You can see how he was a genius and a huge influence. Not always my cup of tea but still an easy listen.

Classic Dylan... Rating: 8/10

7/10

Freewheelin is one of the best things ever since sliced bread.

I don’t care how many times I try, I can never get into any of Dylan’s music. The vocals are always so drab, boring & unremarkable with a slight porky pig-esque cadence. I absolutely can’t stand it. Most of the instrumentation in his songs end up being just as meandering and boring. Blaring harmonica interrupts the grating vocals, weaving in and out of two things I could absolutely do without. And then there’s the perpetual strumming of an acoustic guitar which you’d be lucky to get more than one chord out of per song. It’s just not for me. I can respect Dylan for how highly regarded he has been for so long by the people that click with him. I’m just not one of those individuals. Coming back again out of curiosity time and time again continues to only leave me more confused than the previous attempt.

the one where robert zimmerman starts to really find his voice. i'm more of a dylan goes electric guy overall. it's not his best, but i have no problems with it. you nerds that don't like dylan gotta grow up.

possibly the epitome of a perfect album. bob’s done one many times. this is his first. this is probably my favorite dylan album, but that is a pretty impossible statement to make. "blowin' in the wind" and "don't think twice, it's all right" are classic rock radio staples for good reason. but "masters of war", "oxford town", "talkin' world war iii blues", and "girl from the north country" are all extra-great, but everything on this record is great

Man, Bob’s got jokes. Just look at what he told JFK.

Please don't play the harmonica ever again, that sounded awful. At least some songs were pleasant (most sounded the same tbh), but most of them were ruined but that damn harmonica.

Öka!!!!

Ge killen en varmare jacka!

Han blir bättre och bättre ju äldre jag blir men efter 90% av skivan tappade jag det totalt på munspelet

Fan gillare aldrig riktigt lyssnat på Dylan

yeah

5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background

"Don't Think Twice" is one of my all-time favorite Dylan songs, and this album is like a time capsule of the era in which it was written.

Really good album from his early acoustic era, I personally prefer the ones when he went electric a couple years later like Bringing It All Back Home or Highway 61 Revisited. Favorite tracks: Blowin’ in the Wind Girl from the North Country A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall Talking’ World 3 Blues

This is the second Bob Dylan album I’ve listened to, after “Blonde on Blonde.” I appreciated that one more than I liked it. “Freewheelin’”, I loved. Dylan with just a guitar, sometimes a harmonica, sometimes some percussion - it hits different. The poetry is front and center, like you’re listening to an audiobook. An audiobook by an absolute master of the English language. Dylan gets political on this album. His criticism of the people in power is sharp, angry, and clever. “But there's one thing I know Though I'm younger than you That even Jesus would never Forgive what you do Let me ask you one question Is your money that good? Will it buy you forgiveness? Do you think that it could?” And it’s sung with such passion. Even a warmonger in 1963 would have to pause at those lines and reconsider his life path. Other favorites (besides the aforementioned “Masters of War”): A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall Corinna, Corinna Don’t Think Twice, it’s Alright Oxford Town

The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan is the moment Dylan’s artistic identity becomes unmistakable. It’s not perfectly consistent, and it doesn’t have the sonic richness of later Dylan records. Some songs are essentially sketches, and the primitive recording occasionally makes the album feel like a document of a young musician rather than a fully realized studio production. But that’s also part of its power. This is Dylan before the mythology became larger than the man. He’s young, angry, funny, romantic, confused, politically engaged and wildly ambitious.

as prolific as dylan is i don’t listen to his full albums very often. but man i do understand why he’s a force. there’s some obvious classics on here but i don’t know if i had heard masters of war before and it really stuck with me. bob dylan’s dream also very beautiful and made me think about my friends. yea honestly some pretty incredible stuff

cover looks like a romcom poster

Simplemente Bob Dylan, es un genio!

I get it, his voice is not for everyone. But he is first and foremost, a poet. And the music is great. Classic.