| Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited |
|
 | Tracklist:
1. Like a Rolling Stone
2. Tombstone Blues
3. It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry
4. From a Buick 6
5. Ballad of a Thin Man
6. Queen Jane Approximately
7. Highway 61 Revisited
8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
9. Desolation Row
Release Date: 1965 | |
|
On 49 Lists
|
8 of 8 thought this review was well written
Considered one of Dylan's best works, Highway 61 Revisited is a masterpiece of folk and rock. Dylan is a creative genius, and this album took him literally days to write and record. Containing the well-known "Like a Rolling Stone" and the epic "Desolation Row," Dylan spans many musicial genres and breaks new ground.
The CD kicks off with "Like a Rolling Stone," the 6:13 epic that virtually every rock fan has heard atleast once. It's about being out there alone and not having anything in life to depend on. The tambourine and jingle-sort of beat gives it an upbeat tempo. Mix in some guitar and blues harmonica, and you got a smash.
Following is "Tombstone Blues," combining blues and folk guitar with a drum beat that sounds like its rushing to the end, but still keeping time. The lyrics, while not strictly make sense, are all about random mishaps. Together I guess that's what's forming Dylan's tombstone blues.
"It Takes A Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" is a blues-guitar driven track with piano mixed in there for good measure. Dylan's lyrics express worry about not being able to cut it in life, but how if he doesn't make it, "his baby will." Dylan's vocals may not be the best in the world, but he shows his brilliance at phrasing and the fluctuation of his voice.
"From A Buick 6" used a 50s rock 'n roll style beat to get into it. A swingin' beat with lots of drums and keyboards is what this song's mainly about. Not much here lyrically, but still a decent track (shortest one too).
"Ballad of a Thin Man" has that sort of Phantom-of-the-Opera-esqe quality to it. Dylan even manages to crack up in the first verse as he sings. It's about confusion of what's going on, with a strong piano presence. "Something is happening, but you don't know what it is. Do you Mr Jones?" Good stuff.
"Queen Jane Approximately" returns to the original folk sound of this album with light pianos and folk guitar keeping the track moving. Dylan's asking this person to come see him once she has nothing left, basically, remember the little people in your life. The more you listen to Dylan's voice, it's not so bad for his genre. It's almost the perfect folk voice, as demonstrated on this track. And of course, it's not a Dylan folk song without the harmonica solo.
The title track, "Highway 61 Revisited," has a really upbeat tempo to it with the tambourines coming back in. Lyrically deep again, or just confusing, you never really can tell with Dylan. Some clever metaphors mixed in here, with an almost tongue-in-cheek type commentry.
"Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" is another blues/folk song, with a pretty piano lick. Being lost and not being able to find your way through, it gives hope to these kind of people. Folksy and bluesy all mixed together.
Finally, the epic "Desolation Row" is almost singularly a guitar beat that is completely folk. It's a sort of empty feeling type track, with no real emotion. If anything, it's kind of depressing. Of course, a harmonica solo at the end. Even still, there's a little feeling of hope in it.
Overall: 5/5
An extremely brilliant album with clever lyrics, even if they don't all make sense. Most of the songs on this album are longer than 5 minutes, showing Dylan's ability to write very complete songs. He brilliantly mixes blues and folk, and even a bit of 50s/60s rock. The man's talents can never be underestimated, especially since this album was put together in less than a week.
|
| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
great review for a great album :thumb: . my third favorite dylan album
like a rolling stone is a classic 
| | |
Great review, Amazing album.
| | |
Nice review:thumb:
| | |
Another good Dylan review, congrats and keep it up
| | |
I finally got this CD today (I've been meaning to get something by Dylan for ages), and it really is brilliant. Obviously I'd heard some songs before, but I'd never sat down and really listened to an album of his from start to finish, and I'm really pleased I got this first. Obviously Like A Rolling Stone is incredible, but the whole album is a great series of songs, and anyone who doesn't have this should give it a try. I never knew it was put together that quickly though...nice review as well.
| | |
I'm glad you all liked the album so much. It definitely is a treat from start to finish.
You definitely should check out Dylan's mid 60s and mid 70s work if you like that album, it'll probably appeal to your tastes. Albums like Blonde on Blonde, Desire, and Blood on the Tracks.
| | | Album Rating: 5
definately one of his best
| | | Album Rating: 4
I really want this album :-/
Great Review, but it seems someone is going through all your reviews and giving them "No" ratings.
-Gilmour
| | |
i first heard like a rolling stone a few months ago
| | |
Good review, 'ballad of a thin man' wins best track for me.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Highway 61 revisited is such a guitar and lyrical masterpiece, every single beat of the guitar falls in line with the lyrics, though there are only 3 cords, it's a hard to play song! Like a rolling stone, classic of course, i recommend this to anyone!
| | |
Great review!This Message Edited On 01.27.06
| | | Album Rating: 5
Pretty good review. Long songs don't necessarily make complete songs; in fact they tend to be confused and boring. Dylan is an exception, fortunately.
For me, this album is a little overrated--but not much. Some of the songs lose their edge after enough listens, especially the title track.
However, four or five of these songs (I can't decide about "Desolation Row") are among my favorite Dylan songs ever.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Desolation Row is amazing. A song with like 10 verses and it still sounds amazing every time.
| | | Album Rating: 5
I remember being completely blown away the first time I heard Desolation Row. 5/5
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Awesome album. I love Queen Jane Approximately.
| | | Album Rating: 4
I think I actually like this.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Nice reveiw man for one hell of an album. Highway 61 revisited is a classic even if it doesent make sense.
| | | Album Rating: 5
In my top 5 albums of all time.
Absolutely incredible.
- Like A Rolling Stone
- Tombstone Blues
- Highway 61 Revisited
- The Ballad Of A Thin Man
- Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
- Desolation Row
are my personal favourites.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Blackbird just listed the album.
I love the whole thing
| | | |
|
|
Stumble
Digg
Twitter
Del.icio.us