This album was released in 1969, a time when Dylan was trying hard to shed the claims that he was "the voice of his generation". On this album, he takes on a country feel and a soft, crooning singing voice. This album also launched one major Dylan hit with "Lay, Lady Lay", and saw Dylan doing a duet with the legendary Johnny Cash on "Girl From The North Country" (originally off of
Freewhellin').
1. Girl From The North Country (w/Johnny Cash) - Instead of having the folk feel it did on
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Dylan makes this song into a country song on this album. Dylan's crooning vocals go very well with this version of the song, though the real highlight is Johnny Cash's guest vocal appearance. 5/5
2. Nashville Skyline Rag - The is a nice instrumental country/ragtime shuffle. It's very traditional, having attributes such as a steel guitar and a little half-minute harmonica part at the beginning. The best part of the song is the ending piano. 5/5
3. To Be Alone With You - This is a blues-rock number with catchy and simple lyrics. This song is known well for Dylan saying,"Is it rolling, Bob?" to producer Bob Johnston before the track fully kicks in. It's speedy and punchy, to say it simply. 5/5
4. I Threw It All Away - I consider this song a folk/country-rock classic. I very rarely hear any other song quite like this. These lyrics are classic Dylan, this vocal is one of his most emotional, and the instrumentation fits perfectly. 5/5
5. Peggy Day - This song is sort of a hybrid of country and blues-rock. The lyrics are very much like those of "To Be Alone With You", and same with the song. It's a good times song. 5/5
6. Lay Lady Lay - Being one of Dylan's all time most famous songs, it is also one of his best. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful, and I'm sure listening to an instrumental version of it would also have an effect on me. Indisputably a 5/5
7. One More Night - Like "Peggy Day" and "To Be Alone With You", this is another jumpy, catchy song. And like most other songs on this album, it is hard to give it anything lower than a 5/5.
8. Tell Me That It Isn't True - This is truly the best song on this album. It is more emotional than "I Threw It All Away" and better musically than "Lay Lady Lay". The piano at the end is one of the most fitting instrumentations I have ever heard in a song. Again, a 5/5.
9. Country Pie - "Country Pie" is a fun, fast bluesy country-rock song, about ....what else.... country pie. Short and sweet, like eating a piece. 5/5
10. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You - Although "Tell Me That It Isn't True" is the best song on this album, this has by far the most wooing lyrics. It's an extremely fitting closer, a mid-tempo song that summarizes the whole feel of this album. Again, a 5/5
This is a hit or miss album. Some might love it like me, other might not get it. It will either be 5 stars or it will confuse you.
But I say a *****/*****.
