Feb 28 2021
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4
Day 41 of Albums You Must Hear..
Each day I receive a random album from the 1001 must hear collection, and so far it been pretty fun. One of the cool things about the randomness is that I could be having a conversation about an artist and the very next day receive an album from them. I am far from a music expert, and these assessments are merely my response to hearing albums that are, although very different at times, all held in high regard.
Yesterday, I spoke about Jimi Hendrix covering a Bob Dylan song and stated it as ‘yet another Dylan song made better by another artist’. While I still stand behind the gist of that statement, in all fairness, I know very little about Bob Dylan, aside from the very basics. Yes, I know that Dylan is considered one of the greatest American songwriters of all time. I recognize pictures of Dylan with his wild, wavy hair, harmonica, and Wayfarers. I know that he was mainly considered a Folk music artists and when he switched from acoustic music to adding in electric guitar, his fans were pissed. Lastly, I know that when He and The Beatles met in the 60’s that something clicked in music forever. Dylan showed up with a nicely rolled marijuana cigarette to share with The Fab Four as he had mistakenly confused the lyrics from I Want To Hold Your Hand as “I Get High”. (The lyric was actually “I Can’t Hide”)
Dylan is the second most covered artist of all time, so it’s no surprise that he has been monumentally influential on music culture for the greater part of a century.
In 1965, Dylan released Bringing It All Back Home. Side one has Dylan backed by an electric band, while side two has him with his well familiar acoustic guitar. I was warmed up by the electric blues guitar on the hip rock opener Subterranean Homesick Blues, a fantastic song. She Belongs to Me is beautifully written and familiar. On the Road Again is cool and harmonica driven, which I’m a sucker for. The final track of the electric side, Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream is satirical and witty, and has a false start outtake that has a young Dylan giggling and is endearing. I’m glad they kept that part in, as it humanizes the poet. Side two, the acoustic side, starts off with Mr. Tambourine man, one of Dylan’s best and well known compositions.
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) is the deepest and maybe most personal song on the album, and because of that, it’s one of my favorites. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue, the final song Bringing It All Back Home is a simple, yet powerful ballad with only a harmonica, acoustic and bass guitar. It’s been covered many, many times. This album was never, ever on my radar before yesterday, and thanks to this project, I now understand why it’s so important and I agree that it’s a must hear, without doubt.
I have a new appreciation for Bob Dylan now, and that’s one of the greatest aspects of absorbing the records each day.
Please share your thoughts, memories, and opinions!!
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Aug 14 2021
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2
I try and try but I just can’t do Bob Dylan 🤷♂️ His voice is annoying and that damned harmonica, sheesh
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Feb 27 2021
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1
Fuck me what an annoying cunt
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Jun 21 2021
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5
Bob takes a wild leap out of Woodie Guthrie's overalls, expanding to new jangling, hallicinating, electric territory. The folk rock cooks. The folk folk is some of his best (It's Alright, Ma). It's early 1965 and Bob is far ahead of the pack with a machete, and the Rolling Stones still have bowl cuts. A+
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May 25 2021
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5
This is peak 60’s Dylan. The actual album is split down the middle between electric and acoustic songs, reflecting the fissure that was taking place in western culture (culminating in the ‘Judas’ moment one year later). The whole album is an expression of Dylan’s out with the old and in with the new sensibility (that’s what upset the folk community so much who sought solace in the past traditions) I listened to a radio 4 play at weekend where Richard Curtis and other media types re-enacted the night where they were supposed to meet Dylan at a restaurant in London only for him to stand them up. It was awful, and I learnt that there is nothing more annoying than some middle aged and middle class bores regurgitating well known Dylan myths to prove their fandom. So I’ll spare you the essay but this is top 5 Dylan for me. P. S. Van Morrison's Them do a beautiful cover of 'it's all over now baby blue' that is worth checking out if you're interested.
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Sep 25 2022
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1
I must be missing something here. At least I can say I listened to it. Good thing I didn’t pay for it.
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Jun 21 2021
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5
You can see why he’s the voice of a generation. Some of the songs are just relentless poetry, Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggie’s Farm, Outlaw Blues; wild, fun, sounds like a chase scene describing the 60s. Multiple softer classics in Baby Blue, Tambourine Man, It’s Alright Ma. Lots of great melodies, insanely good lyrics. Fun album, Lovely album. Easy 5.
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May 04 2024
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5
Although The Basement Tapes was the first Dylan record I heard, Bringing It All Back Home was my real introduction to *Bob Dylan*, that guy with the unique singing voice who writes the mind-blowing lyrics. Perhaps a lot of other younger children would have been turned off, but I was instantly hooked. It was the beginning of a lifelong listening journey that has brought me immeasurable joy and enthrallment.
I considered this record my favorite of Bob’s for a long time, no doubt due to my nostalgic attachment. As the years have passed, two albums have overtaken it in my personal rankings, but that holds no bearing on how highly I think of it. Some days, it’s still my favorite, and how could it not be? We finally get the emergence of rock and roll Bob, who nails it right out of the gate with “Subterranean Homesick Blues”, a relentless beat-poet cultural commentary with a Chuck Berry-esque groove and proto-hip-hop vocal delivery. It’s followed up two songs later with “Maggie’s Farm”, an equally quotable and breakneck critique of societal expectations. The combination of Bob’s pointed vocals and the band’s rickety drive create a sound unlike anything that came before it, a sound that still aids these two major compositions after all these years. Their urgency is also crucial to the spirited “Outlaw Blues” and the persistent boogie of “Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream”, two additional rocking highlights.
For all of the attention this album receives as the introduction to electric Dylan, the ballads on Bringing It All Back Home are responsible for so much of its greatness. The studio band is wonderfully tasteful on “She Belongs to Me” and “Love Minus Zero/No Limit”, two remarkable celebrations of love that rank among my top 25 Dylan tracks. Then, of course, we’re treated to the acoustic second side of the record, beginning with the psychedelic masterpiece of “Mr. Tambourine Man”:
Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea
Circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow
The glorious lyrical imagery combined with Bob’s top-notch vocal is sheer brilliance. Bruce Langhorne’s electric guitar work acts as a nice textural feature as well, ensuring that the recording is as good as the song itself. Dylan also receives accompaniment on the album’s closer, “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”, joined by William E. Lee on bass as he delivers one of the grandest melodies he’s ever written. The lyrics and soundscape are as mournful as “Mr. Tambourine Man” is joyous, marking an arresting end to the record.
Sandwiched in between these two giants are two completely virtuosic lyrical exercises. “Gates of Eden” and “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” are not only the two most evocative songs he’d written up until this point; they remain two of his most engrossing songs to this day. The latter in particular is still one of the most quotable tracks in his catalog (“He not busy being born is busy dying”; “Even the President of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked”), and its criticism of American consumerism and political hypocrisy, among other things, is as relevant today as it ever was.
Whenever I take time away from Bringing It All Back Home, I’m always shocked when I return to it and remember how loaded it is. I know the track listing front-to-back, but to actually hear this group of songs in sequence is an experience I always treasure. I’d venture to say nine of the 11 tracks are in or close to my top 100 Dylan songs, and six - “Subterranean Homesick Blues”, “She Belongs to Me”, “Love Minus Zero”, “Mr. Tambourine Man”, “It’s Alright, Ma”, and “Baby Blue” - are probably in my top 30 alone. The fact that it works so well as a cohesive whole solidifies it as a top 3 Dylan record in my book, and one that I’ll always be grateful for.
Least favorite track: “On the Road Again”. Super fun musically, and some memorable lyrics (“Your grandpa’s cane, it turns into a sword/Your grandma prays to pictures that are pasted on a board”). It’s just surrounded by so many titanic compositions, and it’s the one I return to least.
Favorite track: “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”. In addition to my aforementioned points, I’m totally in love with Bob’s focused, intense vocals and propulsive guitar work. It’s absolutely phenomenal; my third favorite Dylan track.
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Feb 17 2021
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5
Classic. I know this album as well as I know any. Genius. Any song on here could pretty much be the best track. The best "fuck you" to folk and rock. And he had two more to follow...and then the other genius albums. One of the most important albums ever made. No wonder he's His Bobness. Best Tracks: Subterranean Homesick Blues, Mr Tambourine Man, It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding).
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Apr 18 2021
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5
This is the best Dylan album so far. Every single one of these is a hit. If someone was like "I don't get why Bob Dylan", you'd play this for them.
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Feb 01 2021
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5
A lyrical masterpiece despite approx 25% being ripped from the bible.
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Sep 10 2021
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5
One of my new favorite albums. Feels like I jacked up caffeine intravenously while dripping rainbow-colored vials into both eyeballs. Such a trip.
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Sep 28 2021
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4
This was my second Dylan album but the first I felt I’d doped out. Of course it was—I was 19 when I heard it, Dylan 23 when he made it. Like your garden variety young man, he’s preoccupied with truth and power. Like your garden variety song writing genius, he transforms his preoccupations into phrases, aphorisms and gags that shine a light on society, politics, romance, received wisdom and his mind-blowing talent. It’s an exhilarating game of cat and mouse, Dylan sometimes following the musicality of the previous word to complete his line (“the motorcycle black Madonna two wheeled gypsy queen”; “I was the editor of a famous etiquette book”), sometimes cramming the words in to make his point (“Human gods aim for their mark / Make everything from toy guns that spark / To flesh-coloured Christs that glow in the dark / […] not much is really sacred”). To generalise more than I can defend, rock ‘n’ roll side A takes on power, folk-poetry side B examines truth. R’n’R is all about staking your claim to exist, questioning authority, being misunderstood. There’s plenty of that on Subterranean, Maggie’s Farm and 115th Dream: “They asked me for some collateral and I pulled down my pants”; “Don’t follow leaders / Watch the parkin’ meters”; “She’s a hypnotist collector / You are a walking antique”; “I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more”; “I said, ‘You know they refused Jesus, too’ / He said, ‘You’re not Him’”. When it comes to rating this, I’m splitting hairs between a 4 and 5. I’ll go low because this sounds like Dylan figuring out his next move. As a result, a couple of these lean towards sketches. I’m also being a little unfair by considering the quality of what came next, which is even better. Maybe I wouldn’t be so harsh with someone else but, you know, it’s Dylan; he’ll get more 5’s from me than maybe anyone else. Delighted to hear this again. I send my praises to the gods of art that one person was able to give us so many indelible phrases, explosions of intellect, and unforgettable tunes. Go on, give it a 5. I’m only gonna shake your hand if you do.
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Feb 13 2023
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4
I can’t really stand Bob Dylan, but even I can admit this is a pretty great record.
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Feb 07 2024
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2
There's too damn much Bob Dylan on this project. His music does nothing for me and his voice drives me up a wall. I'm tired of finding different ways to say these things in my reviews.
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Jun 25 2021
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1
It’s another f@ckin Bob Dylan song!…so it’s another 1 Star!
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Jan 19 2021
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5
Y
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Jul 03 2021
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5
The first of likely many Dylan albums here. The only debate is whether it gets a 4 or 5 from me. Good God, the music released in 1965 is just insane. I don't see how anyone can give this anything less than a 4. I count Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggie's Farm, Love Minus Zero, Bob Dylan's 115th Dream, Mr. Tambourine Man, It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) and It's All over Now, Baby Blue as classics. So it's a 5 from those seven gems alone. Don't fight it.
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Mar 03 2022
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5
I fucking LOVE this album! This might be my favourite iteration of Dylan, I just love him going electric. I know it caused such a stir back in the day when he shifted his style, but it was a bold ballsy move that works for him. He's always challenged his listeners to keep up with him or fuck off. He goes where his artistry guides him and does what he wants, a total maverick. "Don't ask me nothing about nothing, I just might tell you the truth.”
Subterranean Homesick Blues is an incredible opening track, Maggie's Farm is such a fun bop (I love cranking that one and singing along loudly in the car), and Mr. Tambourine Man is a high watermark of Dylan's songwriting. It's all solid, the whole way through. It's a great fucking album. It is irresistibly fun and cheeky and it will always hold up. Well done, Bob. Well done!
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Mar 27 2022
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5
Starts off strong, and stays steady from there.
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Apr 13 2023
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5
When “Mr Tambourine Man” started, I thought, hey, they’re playing this cover pretty straight and then I remembered. Same happened with “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”.
A classic I never got round to. Of the records from the list I’ve heard so far, maybe only this and ‘Rubber Soul’ have that spookiness peculiar to the best recordings: immersed, the old is new, with the sensation of witnessing something entirely novel coming into being. Not my usual stuff, but obviously brilliant. I’ll get myself a copy.
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Aug 01 2024
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5
Before this album, Dylan was known as THE modern songwriter and folk artist, being named the voice of his generation and a major part of early 60's counter- and youth culture. He introduced thousands of people into Folk music and made the genre pretty much his own.
But when this album released with the electric guitar and rock music influences, people were disappointed in him and his way of changing his sound. Looking back, that was stupid as he pretty much made his best albums with that sound. But he didn't go Folk Rock right away as only the first half of the album is the typical Folk Rock fashion.
'Subterranean Homesick Blues' opens the album with fast lyrics and dense instruments that can only make one interested in this album. The lyrics are weird but incredible (like most of Dylans) and there is an argument to be made that this is one of his best songs. I just wished the song was a little longer with a more extended harmonica solo.
A change of pace is 'She Belongs to Me' with a more sombre but still interesting approach that buts the electric guitar more into the background and let the acoustic work shine a bit more. It's a great song and the electric guitar adds a lot even if not that present.
Another big highlight is the countlessly covered 'Maggie's Farm'. Dylan's voice gets a bit weirder again and I have to say that I absolutely love it even if I had my struggles the first times listening to his music. The little bits of Country and Rockabilly sprinkled throughout are gorgeous and the chorus is incredibly catchy.
With 'Love Minus Zero / No Limit' we get a hint of what some songs on his future albums will mostly sound like and while he definitely hasn't perfected the sound yet, it is still great. For me this song just screams 'Blonde on Blonde' Side 3. The song is still incredible and I absolutely love his delivery of the lyrics. But, like 'Subterranean Homesick Blues', he should've made it longer.
'Outlaw Blues' goes a lot more into the fast paced Blues influence from the first track and while it isn't as incredible as that one, this is still catchy and groovy. Just a prefect blend of his styles and influences.
In comparison 'On the Road Again' falls a little short. Still a great song, it's just not as dynamic with its sounds as most other songs so far. Although I love it still, this is the "worst" song on the first half.
The funny false start intro of 'Bob Dylan's 115th Dream' might sound weird at the beginning but once the song does start, it is really solid. More than solid actually. The song is the second longest on the album but feels not that much longer compared to the mostly 3 minute rest. The build-up is done fabulous. My only slight criticism is that around the halfway mark, the song gets a little unfocused which does slightly harm its consistency and overall flow.
The non-rock influenced Folk side starts with the legendary 'Mr. Tambourine Man' that mainly earned that title with "The Byrds" cover version released only a couple months later. And I do think that this original version feels less spot on. The start is great and so is the lyricism throughout but I just get uninterested after a while with the repeating chorus and verses that don't feel like they are going anywhere. He should've cut the song after 4 minutes. That may all sound negative but I think its still a really good song all throughout.
'Gates of Eden' is what an acoustic Dylan is supposed to be: more ominous performance performance, familiar yet weird lyricism and a slight anger in the quirky vocal performance. Oh, and a randomly appearing harmonica. I absolutely adore this song and Dylan's performance and I wish that this is what he would've done with 'Mr. Tambourine Man' but like that song, this song is also a little bit too long although I don't mind it as much.
I'm a little conflicted on 'It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)'. It is in the eyes of a lot of Dylan fans one of his best songs of all time. It is really innovated with the Beat Poetry style vocal delivery and the lyrics are among his best on the album. The slight Blues influences on the guitar work are catchy and drive the song throughout with a kind of flow that is really one of a kind. But all through the whole song, I don't really fall in love with it. It's great, perfect even if viewed on a pure songwriting and skill level but it doesn't really light the spark that other of his songs did.
The album closes on 'It's All Over Now, Baby Blue' that I think is the best song on this half of the album. It's a very emotional outro to the album that is very memorable with the chorus. I absolutely love this song. It is so gorgeous.
favourites: It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggie's Farm, Outlaw Blues, Love Minus Zero / No Limit, She Belongs to Me
least favourites: Mr. Tambourine Man
Rating: strong 9
https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes
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Sep 18 2020
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4
Took a few listens to get into, but I’ve come to think it’s great. I really love Robert’s vocal phrasing here; actually, I think his vocal performances in general on this album are quite good. The blending of the folk and rock elements on this LP provides wonderful texture.
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Mar 29 2021
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4
its bob dylan bro
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Oct 12 2021
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4
Really enjoyed this. Feel like I missed Bob Dylan in my earlier years even though he was well before my time.
Seems like I connect with the older stuff but I think that the same for everyone ; )
Love Hurricane even though not on this album
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Jun 04 2024
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4
Guy: "JUDAS!"
Bob: "I don't believe you. You're a LIAR! [To the band] PLAY IT FUCKING LOUD!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znrlLDG0ynU
Very hard to grasp how, from today's standpoint (and especially coming fresh off yesterday's The Downward Spiral), a tame folk-rock album was able to evoke such raw emotions, but there you have it: Bob Dylan, the Judas, the complete and utter sell-out, had gone electric. ⚡😱
Do I like it? It's familiar, it's cozy. Some really great tracks. As a whole, a bit retro-derivative to my millennial ears, which is a ridiculous thing to say of course, but you probably had to be there to fully grasp its significance. Not my favourite Dylan record, but more than happy to have given it a few rotations today.
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Feb 18 2022
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3
La série noire du générateur se poursuivant jour après jour, et ce malgré la promesse de Robert de ne la faire durér que 5 jours, je commençais à me trouver de plus en plus excédé. Cet enervement a dépassé la limite du raisonnable à l'écoute de cet album absolument minable de Bob Dylan, et j'ai donc pris une décision: j'allai me rendre au domicile de Robert pour lui toucher deux mots sur ses manières peu orthodoxes.
Je me présentais sur son parvis, et poussais la porte menant dans son entrée. A ma grande surprise, je ne suis pas accueilli par un chaleureux "Ah eltrapèze, ça faisait longtemps, installe toi !" comme Robert en a l'habitude, lui qui me considère comme la prunelle de ses yeux. Un silence pesant régnait dans l'habitacle. Je trouvais cela un peu étrange, Robert ayant pour habitude à cette heure de la journée de coordonner différentes actions policières aux quatre coins du monde depuis son bureau, donnant sur la porte d'entrée. Je me dis qu'il s'était peut-être eabsenté pour quelques minutes, et décidait de passer le temps en rendant visite à Ray Charles, dans sa gêole présente au sous-sol.
Une fois la vingtaine de marches avalées, ce fut le choc: la cellule de Ray Charles avait été forcée, et le pauvre soulman n'était plus à l'intérieur ! Qu'avait-il bien pu se passer ? Devant ma mine effarée, les New York Dolls m'invectivèrent de leur voix de crecelles:
"Hiiiiiiiiiiihihihi tu cherches Ray Charles?"
"Oui, que lui est t'il arrivé ?! Vous êtes ses voisins de celulles depuis des années, vous savez forcément ce qu'il s'est passé ?!"
"Monte au premier étage hiiiihi, mais tu risques d'être surpris hihihiiiii"
Les New York Dolls se mirent à éclater de rire de leurs voix aigües sur cette dernière phrase. Il faut savoir que je n'ai normalement pas le droit de me rendre au premier étage de la maison de Robert, puisque cet étage renferme ses immenses quartiers, qui sont interdits d'accès à quiconque ne fait pas partie de la famille Dimery (Robert et Mike Ladd en l'occurence).
C'est le pas tremblotant que j'entamais l'escalade des pas moins de 230 escaliers menant à ce lieu secret. Alors que je m'approchais de la dernière marche, j'entendis les bribes d'un dialogue. "Tu vas payer pour tes actes" [...] "Mais c'est la faute des Stephen Stills..." [...] "Je vais te faire vivre un calvaire". Je décidais alors de faire irruption dans la salle pour en avoir le coeur net.
"Mais qu'est-ce qui se passe ici ?!"
Ce que je découvrit me fait encore frissonner à l'heure où j'écris ces lignes. Robert était ligoté au sol, la semelle d'un homme sur le visage. Cet homme, c'était Ray Charles, complétement métamorphosé. Il était equipé d'une longue cape noire, et d'habits eux aussi entièrement noirs. Son visage était obscur et renfermé, ses yeux enflammés de haine. Le Dark Ray Charles se retourna vers moi brusquement:
"Déguerpis si tu veux avoir la vie sauve, rien ne m'arrêtera, Robert doit payer:"
Terrifié, je courrus en sens inverse les 250 marches précedemment avalées, comprennant soudainement ce qu'il s'était passé: les albums de la liste n'étaient plus générés par Robet mais par le Dark Ray Charles. Il fallait absolument intervenir pour rétablir l'ordre générateurien.
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Apr 20 2023
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2
More like Bof Dylan ^^
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May 11 2021
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5
I'm inclined to give Dylan a 5 just based on the fact that his name is on the album, and I acknowledge this bias. The thing is, nothing he does here disabuses me of the notion that he's a genius. Every track oozes with meaningful allusion and evocative imagery. I keep looking for a reasons to give a demerit, and I'm coming up empty. Best track: Mr. Tambourine Man
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Feb 08 2021
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5
Just one of the greatest.
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Feb 08 2021
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5
Great album, added to my collection
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Jan 19 2021
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5
What an icon. I love hearing his influence in all who followed him.
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Jun 12 2021
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5
Great album, nothing more to say!
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Feb 03 2021
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5
Good stuff. Dylan is on the folksy/harmonica portion of rock but it grew on me and I ran this album back multiple times
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Feb 01 2021
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5
Magnificent.
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Jan 25 2021
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5
I had heard many of these songs before but I had not listened to the album from start to finish. What an absolute classic.
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Feb 13 2021
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5
Classicly good. Always telling a story.....what a legend.
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Jan 17 2021
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5
Had no idea there was were so many tributes to the album cover alone! http://biabhcoverposers.yolasite.com/posers.php
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Mar 27 2021
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5
So many iconic songs on this record, no down points.
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Mar 08 2021
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5
Surprisingly good. I never understood why people praised him so much until listening to this.
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Jun 07 2021
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5
I liked this one better than the last Bob Dylan album.
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Jan 22 2021
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5
I have never listened to this album but have probably heard most of these songs individually many times. Fantastic collection of music
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Apr 03 2021
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5
No es el que más me gusta, pero aún así, le doy 5.
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Jan 18 2021
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5
Classical Dylan. What a collection!
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Jan 30 2021
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5
Bob's top!
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Jan 27 2021
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5
Well that was just great!
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Jan 30 2021
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5
One of my favorites of all time
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Mar 09 2021
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5
Ugh, Bob Dylan is so hard for me to listen to.
Actually, I found this better than I thought and quite enjoyed it.
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Mar 17 2021
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5
One year before Blonde on Blonde, I liked this one a lot.
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Feb 14 2021
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5
Relaxing Saturday afternoon music.
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May 25 2021
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5
Great album. Brings back memories of long summer car journeys. Evocative, whimsical and timeless. Is there a better song writer?
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Jun 23 2021
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5
Not many know about this Bob Dylan. Less poppy, more folk. Some of his best years.
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May 20 2021
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5
it's a bob dylan album. it gets 5 stars. those are the rules
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May 25 2021
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5
Wow what an album. Love Dylan generally, but this was just great. Every song is 5 stars on its own
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May 12 2021
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5
A classic.
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May 12 2021
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5
Obviously Bob
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Jun 29 2021
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5
Not much to say. This is one of the best Dylan albums which is about as high as I can praise it. This album features an electric first half and is the first of a three album trio which sees Dylan reinvent himself and write some of the greatest if not the greatest songs of all time.
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Jul 24 2021
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5
Love this album so much. It was the first Bob Dylan album I ever bought, when I decided that I wanted to get to know more of his tunes beyond the hits. This is actually a pretty good entry into Dylan for a beginner, with the first half featuring Dylan's new electric style, followed by a series of fantastic acoustic numbers. The back end of the album includes some of his best writing in songs like "Gates of Eden" and "It's Alright Ma." Familiar, upbeat numbers like "Maggie's Farm" and "Subterranean Homesick Blues" are fun to listen to, and "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" is an absolute delight. If you didn't already know it, this is where you find out just how funny Dylan can be.
I'm just realizing that Dylan released this album and Highway 61 the same year. He was 24. My word.
Favorite songs: It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Bob Dylan's 115th Dream, Outlaw Blues, Maggie's Farm
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Jul 25 2021
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5
Classic Dylan
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Aug 14 2021
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5
It's hard to believe that so many classics are on the same album, especially since he was putting out, like, 2 albums a year back in those days. This album has a bit more of a rock n' roll feel. I think I gave "Blood on the Tracks" which came out a decade later, a 5. Song for song, this album isn't as consistent, but there are still many brilliant songs, like "Maggie's Farm" and it's boogie-woogie twin "On the Road Again", Baby Blue, and of course the iconic hits...
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Aug 14 2021
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5
I really like this album. There are some very well known songs but the real enjoyment comes from the lesser known songs. In fact I think I like Mr. Z’s 115th Dream more than Mr T Man. It’s good to see his sense of humour.
She Belongs to Me as well as Mr. T Man and others continue his knack for cryptic lyrics or some might say his knack for fucking with us. It’s hard not to like the lyrics to Mr. T Man but who knows wtf the song is about and Mr. Z will take the song’s meaning to his grave. It’s kinda cool in that it allows you to ascribe a meaning that works for you.
Subterranean Homesick Blues is an excellent offering from his non-acoustic.
I had initially decided that I had only one 5 rating for Mr. Z and that was reserved for Hwy 61 Revisited.
Rules are meant to be broken.
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Aug 14 2021
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5
Judas Moment.
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Aug 23 2021
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5
Brilliant album. Such an icredible song writting
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Aug 23 2021
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5
Bekannt bewährt Bob
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Aug 23 2021
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5
Tolles und historisches Album!
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Sep 15 2021
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5
Really good, not a bad track on here 10
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Sep 24 2021
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5
grande bob!
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Sep 27 2021
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5
Great
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Oct 01 2021
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5
I'll always be a Blood on the Tracks boy, but in terms of Dylan albums, this is probably second for me. He perfectly nails the moments of disenchantment in your early to mid 20s, with society or work or even just random jerks. But he also gets the fun stuff, the hopeful stuff. Life contains multitudes, and so does this album.
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Oct 01 2021
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5
Me, before listening to this album: I just don't get why people like Bob Dylan so much.
Me, listening distractedly while cooking dinner: Yeah, I still don't get it.
Me, as soon as It's Alright Ma starts: Ohhhhhhhhhhh...I get it now.
I'm giving it 5 just for that experience.
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Oct 01 2021
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5
This is what I signed up for—listening to iconic albums that I never would have otherwise. This one is so revered and thoroughly discussed that I have trouble giving my own humble opinions. There is an entire Wikipedia article for each song!
A barrier to being a true fan has always been that I struggle with Bob Dylan's voice. Like being able to make it through listening to one song. But here we go!
"Subterranean Homesick Blues" Well there you go. Can't not see the famous "video" in my head. I love what he does with the sounds of words in putting them together– lots of alliteration and cleverly arranged rhymes. I read someone saying that a lot of his songs are structured like raps, and you get that here.
Maggie's Farm is an example of a song where I really can't take his voice. But then I like it in the next song "Love Minus Zero/No Limit."
"On the Road Again" made me smile the whole time. "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" was also delightful, all the more for the laughter at the beginning. "The waitress he was handsome."
There are sure a lot more verses in his version of "Mr. Tambourine Man." I am really enjoying going for the full ride.
"It's Alright Ma" really feels like a rap over acoustic guitar. The sound and rhythm of the words are part of the music and this is one of my favorites.
Glad I dove in deep to this one and listened more than once. I think I finally got to genuinely feel why people love this album so much.
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Oct 12 2021
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5
This is almost a greatest hits for the Bob Dylan that we know now.
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Oct 31 2021
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5
This is the third Dylan album in 170 records for me, but it's the best one. Great melodies, much more focus to his lyrics, good arrangements, more structure to his songs and most of them are a poetic adventure. I can't even pick the best, they're all different and all pretty damn effective. Even the long ones (115th Dream; It's Alright Ma) don't feel long when you're interested, which was not the case on the other albums for me.
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Nov 11 2021
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5
An exceptional album from Bob Dylan, and even cooler considering he had met the Beatles during this time
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Nov 14 2021
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5
Excellent. Bob Dylan is the best songwriter in American history. Very nice listen. Will revisit!
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Nov 15 2021
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5
Meilleur album suggéré depuis un bout de temps, aucun moment faible. Bob Dylan est le king du folk
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Nov 22 2021
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5
An amazing album. Just a notch below Hwy 61 and BOTT, but a very small notch. 5🌟
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Dec 04 2021
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5
I'm a Dylan fan but not a HUGE Dylan fan. What an album this is. Good from start to finish.
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Dec 18 2021
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5
Classic, I would say top 5, Bob Dylan album - well-known singles like Sub. Homesick Blues and Maggie's Farm are still very strong but it is all about the last two (also very well-known) songs.
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Dec 25 2021
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5
The first in the trilogy of albums Dylan recorded in 1965. Three iconic pillars of rock that changed songwriting forever. Three. In. One. Fucking. Year... Let that sink in. Dylan could have never recorded anything again in his life after "Blonde on Blonde" and we'd still be feeling the shockwave he produced to this day.
He set a new bar for what was possible in terms of songwriting. Blowing the doors wide open. Furthermore, perhaps moreso than, and certainly before The Beatles, he was, like an alchemist, transforming rock music from something largely considered lightweight entertainment for teenagers into something that was worthy of study. He elevated rock music into high art and in doing so inspired others to join him, including The Beatles.
He's drawing from so many places here, some musical, others more literary, and all filtered through his brilliant and chemically altered mind - soaking in everything around him and synthesizing it all into stunning cryptic diamonds.
How did he do it? It's almost as if he were channeling the divine at this point. As if he's simply writing the language of the future as it pours out of him. He is without a doubt one of most unique and distinct lyricists of all time. And certainly the most influential. While I said above that he elevated rock music into something to take seriously, that doesn't mean he took out the fun. He can be quite lighthearted in fact, albeit in a dazzling, stream of consciousness kind of way. He can also be quite humorous in this regard and I really appreciate that range. For example, on this album, going from something like the surreal romp of "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" to nearly any of the emotionally piercing songs from side 2.
Speaking of sides, this is where he takes his first step solidly into electric rock territory on side 1. But he still keeps one foot planted in his ever evolving stream of consciousness brand of folk on side 2. I think it's a brilliant way to break up the album to make that transition and I think he did it in the correct order, even though it seems somewhat counter intuitive. Lead with the new, the thing that is unexpected, then give them the thing they are more accustomed to while they recover from that initial shock. Side 2 is also much heavier emotionally than side 1 and I think that makes alot of sense to weight it that way too. He would of course go on to be accused of being the Judas of the folk scene but Dylan didn't look back.
I love this album. I have listened to it so many times I don't really need to listen to it again as I have it nearly memorized. But it's such a joy that I will listen to it again, several times in fact.
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Dec 25 2021
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5
Ok fine I'm a Bob Dylan fan, can't fight it anymore. Hearing Subterranean Homesick Blues conjures images of him with an electric guitar shocking America. Solid all the way through.
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Jan 04 2022
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5
Haven’t had a lot of exposure to Dylan, but I really enjoys this. ‘Maggie’s Farm’ nabbing a rock limelight from Rage Against The Machine
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Jan 07 2022
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5
Listened Before: N
Peak Dylan! Nice! While I haven't listened to this one before, I am familiar with a few of the songs.
Pros: This album is amazing. Good music and witty, biting social commentary. Can't go wrong with that combo. Every song is well crafted and the recordings are raw enough to make you feel like you're there with him.
Cons: Can't think of many. Even Mr. Tambourine Man as over-done as it is as a song, shines on this one.
Added to Library: Y
Songs added to playlist: On the Road Again, Maggie's Farm.
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Jan 17 2022
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5
Fuck the folkies, this thing swings.
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Jan 17 2022
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5
This was my first Dylan album experience.
Got it via the small tape collection at Exmouth Library in the late 80s but unfortunately at the same time as borrowing his 1986 album, 'Knocked Out Loaded', which I've read as being rated as his worst studio album (and there is some serious competition for that honour).
So on the one hand, 'BIBH' was a revelation and is still one of my favourites of his (took a while to get into 'H61R', love 'BotT, also a big fan of late Dylan, esp 'Time Out Of Mind', always struggle a bit with 'BoB'), on the other hand, the 'Knocked Out Loaded' experience stopped me from further investigations into his back catalogue for a long while. Probably not helped by Dylan's late 80s output at the time.
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Jan 24 2022
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5
Excellent album, maybe not one of Dylan's greatest but still full of awesome hits. Love "It's all over now baby blue"
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Jan 25 2022
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5
gates of eden is so damn good....i dunno what i expected from bobbie dylie but this kinda bops...it's alright ma im only bleeding :(((
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Jan 31 2022
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5
FIVE STARS
An all-time classic
As is usually the case with those five-stars albums, I won't write a full-blown review about this particular record, because others have already written wonderful stuff about it and there's not much I can add that I feel could be relevant and interesting. It's just a gem. Go and listen to it a.s.a.p.
[Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 984
Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 6 (including this one)
Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 6
Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (as I think many others are more important): 4
Albums on which I feel my judgment is muddled by my past forays into specific genres instead of others (some might end up on my final list if they're culturally important): 1]
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Feb 01 2022
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5
Every song … excellent!!
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Feb 01 2022
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5
I’ve recently been getting into Bob Dylan’s discography so I think it’s funny I was going to listen to this album anyway
so far this is one of my favorite Bob Dylan albums, don’t get me wrong, I love the folksy stuff he did in his first four albums, there’s just something so magical about him finally incorporating rock and roll into his music
I can’t wait to listen to Highway 61 Revisited, I’ve heard that’s one of his best albums
anyway, this is absolutely a 10/10 album, but I think it’s more enjoyable if you listen to his first four albums first, hearing his sound build and grow as he tries out new stuff before you hear this beautiful rock and roll project
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Feb 06 2022
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5
Hole trip
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Feb 10 2022
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5
fantastic
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Feb 11 2022
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5
Tym razem znowu wylosowal sie Dylan z mojego ulubionego okresu jego tworczosci, wiec przejscia folkowego brzmienia w twardsze rokowanie z uzyciem elektrycznych instrumentow, bedace mozna powiedziec narodzinami nowego gatunku, czyli folkowego rocka, ktore wlasnie mialo miejsce na Bringing It All Back Home z 65, bedacy szostym studyjnym krazkiem w dyskografii Bobowej, ktory idealnie balansuje pomiedzy folkowym Dylanem uczniem pana Guthriego, a czyms nowym, muzyka lat 60, ktora przejawia sie w wykorzystaniu elektrycznych instrumentali, wiec plyta na pierwszej stronie pokazuje swoje nowe brzmienie, wiec mozna posluchac pana Dylana na elektryku i kultowej harmonijce z kilkoma ciekawymi postaciami, jak Brucem Langhornem, ktory mial byc inspiracja dla kawalka mr tambourine man, na krorym takze go mozna uslyszec jako kounter melodie elektrykowa, tak samo jak na zamykajacym krazek its all over now, baby blue, na jak tak popularny album, tak bardzo rozpisany jesli chodzi o strone liryczna nigdzie nie moge znalezc kto bierze udzial w nagraniach danych kawalkow, a szkoda bo zwlaszcza na pierwszej stronie gdzie instrumentalnie sporo sie dzieje sporo osob wydaje sie pominietych, bo jak to w przypadku wiekszosci Dylanoiwych nagran sesje zamknieto ekspresem, bo wystarczyly dwie sejse na nagranie wszystkiego co mialo sie znalezc na plycie, a nawet wiecej, bo caly album zostal nagrany z elektrykami, ale jedynie czesc dostala sie do wersji ostatecznej, to polaczenie elektrykowego A sajda z klasycznym folkowym B sajdem jest czyms co sprawia, ze ta plyta jest tak wyjatkowa dla mnie w dyskografii Dylanowej, jako jeden z najbardziej influencyjnych jego wydan, co do strony lirycznej, to juz wczesniej sie rozpisywalem nad tym jak barwne historie potrafi on tworzyc praktycznie o niczym i jak tworzyc bohaterow, z ktorymi czlowiek potrafi sie zrzyc w ciagu kilku minut trwania piosenki i tutaj jest dokladnie tak samo, wiec plyta otwiera abstrakcyjna opowiesc w ktorej glowna role dostaja drugi i milicja, wiec typowa opowiesc o zyciu pod tytulem subterranean homesick blues, tak wyglada wieksza czesc pierwszej strony, ktora stanowi swojgo rodzaju epicko sarkastyczny komentarz hameryki tamtych czasow, druga czesc tej strony beda dwa love songi she belongs to me i love minus zero, z pierwszego traka wynika bardziej, ze to on nalezy do niej, bo tak idealna jest ta wybranka, bo tak wlasnie wyglada pani z okladki, love minus zero takze kontynuuje temat milosci idealnej, dluzsza nazwa tego kawalka zawiera takze /no limit ktory swietnie pasuje do tej teorii, druga strona swietnie pokazuje kontrast jaki instrumental potrafi stworzyc, nadal komentowane sa podobne tematy, tylko teraz maja calkiem inne brzmienie, czego swietnym przykladem jest its alright, ma im only bleeding, pietnastozwrotkowy komentarz lat 60 i spoleczenstwa hameryki z ktorego pochodza jedne z najbardziej kultowe teksty, jak o nagim prezydencie, czy gilotynowaniu, no i jest pan tamburyniarz, ktory jest jednym z najbardziej kultowych utworow w dyskografii Dylana, tyle razy coverowany, a jednak tutaj brzmi dla mnie najlepiej, jeden z tych kawalkow ktore potrafia przeniesc czlowieka do innego miejsca, takim miejscem moga byc wrota edenu, czyli jeden z najbardziej enigmatyczno surrealistycznych fragmentow plyty, inspirowany Blejkowym songs of paradise, krazek zamyka fitujacy its all over now, ktory swietnie pasuje jako utwor ktorym pan Bob pozegnal sie z folkowym establiszmentem i swietnie pokazujacy dorastanie Dylana jako artysty, ktory szuka samego siebie, wydaje mi sie ze ta strona jest bogatsza lirycznie, chociaz to tylko cztery kawalki, ktore sa jednak bardziej rozbudowane niz rokowo blusowe eksperymenty pierszej strony, na plejke raczej nic nie dodam, bo juz dawno to zrobilem, ale musze dodac album na spotifajowa poleczke biblioteczna
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Feb 12 2022
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5
Ah Young Bob! don't cha' just love him.... get him before the cancel culture does! Saw him in '78 at Blackbushe Aerodrome in Hampshire, great day with Clapton, Graham Parker and the Rumour and Joan Armatrading plus more. One of those moments in my life when I realised what music can do!
Classic this one from the early Dylan oeuvre with songs that are now classics.
I could say there isn't a bad one on this but my particular favourites are
"Subterranean Homesick Blues" "Maggies Farm" (which took on a whole new meaning in the early '80's inthe UK thanks to our then Prime minister. I would recommend The Blues Bands version!) "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" "Mr Tambourine Man" "It's Alright Ma' (I'm Only Bleeding) and "It's all Over Now Baby Blue" see I said the whole album is a classic really. Love it, Have it in my Vinyl collection and rightfully on this list.
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Feb 12 2022
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5
I am familiar with BOB DYLAN and his fifth album BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME, which I have and like very much.
After listening to BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME, I still find Dylan to be one of the most consistent songwriter of his and our generation. He is not everyone’s cup of tea. The imagery expressed in DYLAN’s is startling and surreal.
In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, besides BOB DYLAN - BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME, there are six other albums listed: THE FREEWHEELIN’ BOB DYLAN (1963); HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED (1965); BLONDE ON BLONDE (1966); BLOOD ON THE TRACKS (1975); TIME OUT OF MIND (1997); BOOTLEG SERIES VOL.4 LIVE 1966 (1998)
Rate Artist: BOB DYLAN (5.0)
Rate Album (Year): BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME (US 1965 Original) (5.0)
Ranking of BOB DYLAN - BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME songs
No. Title Length
Side one (Electric Side)
1. "Subterranean Homesick Blues" 2:21 10.0/10
2. "She Belongs to Me" 2:47 09.0/10
3. "Maggie's Farm" 3:54 10.0/10
4. "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" 2:51 08.0/10
5. "Outlaw Blues" 3:05 09.0/10
6. "On the Road Again" 2:35 09.0/10
7. "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" 6:30 09.0/10
Side two (Acoustic Side)
8. "Mr. Tambourine Man" 5:30 10.0/10
9. "Gates of Eden" 5:40 09.0/10
10. "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" 7:29 10.0/10
11. "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" 4:12 10.0/10
US 1965 Original Release 103.0/110 = 9.36 / 2 = 4.68
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Feb 13 2022
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5
Želja mi je imati sve njegove albume do 1967., a ovaj neka bude u prvih 5 albuma. Iako mi se jako sviđa album i volim Dylana dok je još bio isključivo na akustici (ne krivim ga ništa što je kasnije prešo na električnu ko što su mnogi ljudi bili protiv, dobar potez tho). Zapravo je cijeli album jako dobar, dao bi 9/10 ili pak 4.5/5, zato ovim putem javljam da dajem jako pozitivnu zvjezdicu za ovaj album. Također je važno napomenuti da ću ove godine proći sve njegove albume i rejtat ih. It's about damn time! Teško će biti, ali mi je to Bog rekao da napravim. Kaže: "Luka, ne budeš li rejtao Dob Bylana, oduzet ću ti majstorstvo u upravljanju viličarom." To sam shvatio personalno - samo čekam bolje vrijeme da mogu otić u prirodu, sjest negdje i pustit si sat vremena jednog albuma na dan. Sitnice su važne.
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Mar 08 2022
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5
Great Dylan album that explores blues. One of my favorites.
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Mar 09 2022
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5
Dylan is such an important part of music history that it feels impossible to look at a song or an album without that layering over it. This is a beautiful album. Every single line on "It's Allright Ma'" has multiple meanings both within and without the context of the song. And then you add in the the repetitive music behind the lyrics. This is both an album to sing to and be inspired by.
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Mar 09 2022
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5
Fab-just brilliant.
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Mar 22 2022
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5
Fantastic
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