| Bob Dylan The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Blowin' In The Wind
2. Girl From The North Country
3. Masters Of War
4. Down The Highway
5. Bob Dylan's Blues
6. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
7. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
8. Bob Dylan's Dream
9. Oxford Town
10. Talkin' World War III Blues
11. Corrina, Corrina
12. Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance
13. I Shall Be Free
Release Date: 1963 | |
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On 1 Lists
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0 of 1 thought this review was well written
#97 on Rolling Stone's 500 Best Albums Of All Time
Bob Dylan is often cited as one of the greatest folk musicians of our time. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan was his second album, and the album that really defined the type of musician Bob was. It had five timeless classics (I'll get to them later), a good amount of politically charged commentaries, and an outflowing of emotion in just about every song. This album brought Dylan into the mainstream, and secured his place as a songwriter.
The album is mostly Bob playing his acoustic and singing, with bits of harmonica-playing. Many people dismiss Dylan because of his infamously gravelly voice, though it's arguably his best talent; it allows him to sing with emotion and an overall "experienced" feel, as if Dylan has experienced all the things he sings about. I'll take it song-by-song:
1. Blowin' In The Wind - A Dylan classic. This is a timeless piece of music - it still holds up today, even with the political underlinings. This really showcases how Dylan can be so simple but so undeniably effective, in his songwriting and musical arrangements. 5/5
2. Girl From The North Country - This is another classic, and my favorite track on the entire album. To me, this feels like Dylan's most heart-wrenchingly beautiful song. His singing and his playing are so emotional throughout, and he writes true poetry. 5/5
3. Masters Of War - This song is ferocious. I personally dislike it, but that's clearly what Dylan intended: unfeeling, unbridled hatred. It feels sort of hypocritical, since it's about hating the "masters of war" for murdering others, and it comes down to Dylan wishing they were all dead. I really don't like it much; the message of the whole thing feels sketchy. 3/5
4. Down The Highway - The truth is that this album has what some might call "filler tracks" on it. This is one of those, but it's a good one. It's a very bluesy song, inspired by various blues artists. Not bad, but not excessively good. 4/5
5. Bob Dylan's Blues - This song was another blues song, but Dylan says it was composed spontaneously. He simply started with an idea and expanded upon it throughout the song. It's another filler track, but once again, not bad. 4/5
6. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall - Another classic. It uses the same musical formula "Blowin' In the Wind" does, It's emotional, simple, beautiful, and timeless. 5/5
7. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright - An upbeat track. It feels like more filler, as in it doesn't make a huge emotional statement like other songs here, but once again, it's consistent and not really bad at all. 4/5
8. Bob Dylan's Dream - This is one of those humorous political commentaries Dylan makes. It's sort of a comedy piece and story in one. The odd thing is that it feels funny, and yet seems provocative and poetic at the same time. Still not anything fantastic. 4/5
9. Oxford Town - It's a story piece, and a strange one at that. Bob said himself that "it's a banjo piece I play on guitar". It ends up coming out as a very strange peice of filler for the record. I tend to undermine it. 3/5
10. Talkin' World War III Blues - This is another improvised commentary, but it's "talking blues", so it's sort of spoken word with music. This is also another song that is funny-yet-provocative, and an overall winner on the record. 4/5
11. Corrina, Corrina - A classic folk song, retooled by Dylan. I don't appreciate it much, since it just becomes sort of background music after a while because it's so laid back. Good filler, though (if there is such a thing). 3/5
12. Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance - This is a very goofy country/blues song. I personally find it quite funny, though some may think it's a little too lighthearted. I'd say it's another decent filler track. 4/5
13. I Shall Be Free - Another improvised social commentary. Once again, Dylan's full of wit and humor here, and he still remains provocative. Back when this was released, these tracks were probably the stand-outs, but not so much anymore. 4/5
Overall, the whole album tends to flow together and become one big sort of folk piece. It makes a good entire listen, but some tracks just don't stand up individually. I'd give it a 4/5, because of its overall consistency.
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Pretty good review :thumb:, not my favorite album, but it has it's moments.
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I'm going to be an a-hole but I love Electric Dylan more than his Folk-Acoustic work.
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I like his Accoustic stuff lots, more art and poetry, less junk.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
i prefer rocking dylan...
nashville skyline is fabulous
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Good Review, not my favorite Dylan album. My favorite Dylan album has got to be Blonde on Blonde.
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Great album, but not his best that would probably be Highway 61
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Oxford Town = Best track of the album
Does anyone notice the resemblence of the first few notes of "Talkin' World War III Blues" and the opening notes to "Friend of the Devil" by The Grateful Dead?
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Good Review although I feel that "Don't think twice, it's alright" should've got 5/5.
:cool:
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For a week now i've been craving this album, i think i'll buy it soon.
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Is there any way sting or Bartender could fix the title of this? Editing won't do it.
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Oxford Town = Best track of the album
So true, so true
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A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, that's especially good, and fits together well, considering each line (except for the repeated A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall line) is the beginning to a new song.
I like the album, not my fave, but on a side-note, what's a filller track? Is it the songs that don't stand out?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Corrina Corrina PWNS on this album
| | | Album Rating: 5
[QUOTE=SubtleDagger]Is there any way sting or Bartender could fix the title of this? Editing won't do it.[/QUOTE]
Sorry, kind of incredibly late, but what do you want it changed to? Or has it already been changed?
Anyway, I recently figured it was time to start on Dylan, and the HMV sale provided me an excellent opportunity to do so; I got this, Blood on the Tracks and Blonde on Blonde for about £5 each. So far, I think this is my favourite of the three. Maybe it's just that I've listened to it more.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Ah, never mind, spotted what it was, and edited it. Sorry for taking so long.
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That's cool, just dumb errors and all that.
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the song hurricane > every thing that ever existed ever
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
my favorite song is masters of war, it should have gotten a 5/5
overall i think it should have gotten a 4.5/5
o well
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I once saw a poster of James Dean walking down a New York street and I couldn't help but be reminded of the cover of "Freewheelin'". Is it possible that this is what Don ("American Pie") MacClean meant by referring to Dylan as the "Joker" wearing "a coat he borrowed from James Dean"? Either way Dylan is a giant.
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^^^^yep, thats the reference in american pie. thats a good song
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