Review Summary: This is one of the great albums. It captures Dylan in his most perfect moments. The tone of the album ranges from outrage to humour to heartbreak...
Hearing "Like A Rolling Stone" for the first time didn't open my eyes to Dylan. Rummaging through my Dad's record collection to find this gem did. The highlights of the album are "Girl From North Country," "Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" and "Talkin' World Ware III Blues."
In "Bob Dylan's Dream" we get that glimpse of Dylan leaving his friends behind to become a success. "I Shall Be Free" is just packed with great one liners:
"I was out the back painting the old wood shed when a can of black paint it fell on my head"
"Well The funniest woman I ever seen is the great grandaughter of Mr. clean, she takes about 15 baths a day and wants me to grow a moustache on my face, she's insane."
"You ask me why I'm drunk all the time, it levels my head and eases my mind."
The album reflects inspects and projects into the future. I can guarantee you if Trump gets into office this campaign I will be playing Hard Rain's Gonna Fall at some stage with baited breath.
The album loses half a star because sonically it doesn't have production techniques, or instruments that basically hadn't been invented at the time. It's a bit scratchy like an old pair of jeans. Like those old blues I ain't letting this thing go till they're ripped off my skinny white legs.
Oxford Town deserves a mention too for it's calm lyrical delivery of such a powerful message:
"Oxford Town around the bend
He came to the door, he couldn't get in
All because of the color of his skin
What do you think about that, my friend?"
Thankyou Bob.
