Review Summary: I like this record. Maybe you can, too. It's not always easy to get into a Bob Dylan album at first (especially if it's thrown-together like this one), but if the recordings are not truly offensive, then over time, you can get into a particular Bob Dylan
Dylan was released in 1973 by Columbia in a move of revenge after Bob temporarily moved over to Asylum records. I know not everybody will agree with me when I make this statement, but I honestly believe the record "Dylan" is not that bad. Oh no, the record is certainly not a gem like Blonde On Blonde, Desire, or Modern Times, but still, there are plenty of songs here which are just great fun (which is probably the mood Bob had when he recorded these bunch of songs).
Whether Columbia thought about the song selection carefully or not, I can tell you what, they made a record that's not half bad. "Lily Of The West" is a great opening tune which has always been one of my favorites here and never fails to inspire me. "Can't Help Falling In Love" comes next and I have always appreciated the way Bob tackles this song. It's slow, moving, and soothing in my opinion. "Sarah Jane" is the only tune on here written by Bob (I'm pretty sure), and this song has always been uplifting in its fun and bouncy tempo.
"The Ballad Of Ira Hayes" hasn't done much for me, but it's certainly not bad. It's just not one of those recordings here I listen to repeatedly. "Mr. Bojangles", on the other hand, has definitely been one of my favorites on "Dylan". You would definitely come to appreciate the song after a few listens if you give it a try.
My personal favorite here on "Dylan" which has always touched me is "Mary Ann". I can't see how anybody could resist this song. Sure, the female background voices may not suitable for everybody's tastes, but listen to Bob singing this song and tell me he is not getting into it.
"Big Yellow Taxi" comes next and, while not my favorite, is still pretty cool. "A Fool Such As I" comes next and I don't listen to this song repeatedly either, but still, there is no harm in Bob's recording of this song, either. "Spanish Is The Loving Tongue" closes "Dylan" and I definitely love this version of the song here. Columbia might have tried to ruin Bob Dylan's career in '73 with this thrown-together record and... well, while some people don't like this record very much, there are still some people who appreciate (me being one of them), and of course, Bob Dylan's career continued onward after '73 with plenty of successes and failures. "Dylan" hardly added any damage to Bob Dylan's career.
It's a shame this record is not easy to find. It makes sense, though, seeing how this record was released without Bob's consent. Perhaps that's why you have to really search hard if you wanna pick up a copy of this record (and then keep it forever because it's RARE).
Overall, I like this record. Maybe you can, too. It's not easy to get into a Bob Dylan album at first (especially if it's thrown-together like this one), but if the recordings are not truly offensive, then over time, you can get into a particular Bob Dylan album that's like that. Give "Dylan" a try and see what happens.
This is my fifty cents on "Dylan".
- Bobb-z
