Bob Dylan
by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan's first album is often overlooked, probably because it only contains two originals and the rest are covers of old folk and blues tracks. No, it isn't essential compared with later Dylan records, but it is a very enjoyable one. It starts with the giddy, you're no good. The first thing you notice is how youthful and energetic Dylan's voice is, it never quite sounded like this again. Of the two originals, talkin' new York, and, song to woody, are very derivative of Bob's idol, Woody Guthrie, but they're fine. Elsewhere, house of the rising sun, is done in a style that The Animals would base their version upon a few years down the line. The same can also be said of, in my time of dyin', which would inspire Led Zeppelin. Other tracks include the breezy, baby, let me follow you down, and the frantic, gospel plow. As I said, it's all enjoyable. A good start. (Edited)

From Mercury TOP 100 COMMENTER 09/28/2013 20:45 | #87108 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This is an excellent album. It is mostly composed of folk and blues standards with just 2 Dylan originals. Yet the blues numbers he does are pretty fantastic and dark. The vocals on those tracks seem a bit contrived but to no great detriment to the songs. His rendition of "House of the Rising Sun" and "Man of Constant Sorrow" are impassioned and incredibly good.
"Song to Woody" is one of my all time favorites Dylan songs. It's an impressive early original and was an excellent indication of what was to come in the very near future.
As a whole I love almost this whole album. Some of the more playful covers like "Gospel Plow" and "Pretty Peggy-O" grate on me just a bit. But that's probably because I'm a moody bastard.
All in all there is something I really enjoy and get out of this album. Maybe it's just the beautiful joyousness and energy of this album. Maybe I'm just a little biased in thinking everything Dylan did from 62-70 is golden. Maybe...
Either way, this is a nice album.
Grade: 84/100 (Edited)

Dylan's first LP from 1962 suggest only in glimpses what would be in store from him in future.

The album consists predominantly of contemporary blues- and folksongs along with traditionals arranged by Dylan. Only two songs were Dylan originals. "Talkin 'New York' is a sort of diary song, performed in the talking / singing style that he would use on more tracks on the next three albums. The tribute to Woody Guthrie, "Song to Woody" is a more melodic song, and for me one of the highlights on the album.

Interesting too, that two songs later would be recorded by the Animals and turned into hits. "House of the Rising Sun" became a classic, and also "Baby Let Me Take You Home" became a relatively big hit. Though not exactly the same song as "Baby Let Me Follow You Down," it's impossible not to see the similarities.

Also interesting that several songs deal with the theme of dying

Dylan was a punk rocker, Dylan was a punk rocker!

Yet even Another Side of Bob Dylan. Too rough and raw for the well mannered Greenwich Village folk revival set, Dylan’s debut often gets bypassed by Dylan neophytes. And that’s crazy because this here is the best glimpse of what Dylan was really into (Woody, more Woody, and a white boy take on the rough & tumble delta blues that would make even Zeppelin proud) and where he would eventually head before he would cover his tracks, crafting the single greatest mystifying mythology of any rocker who chose to stick around.

Dylan’s no fool, he knew which way the wind blew back in the early 60s and promptly put his talents to churning out the best protest folk rock since Woody on the his next three long players until he got big enough & confident enough that he could call his own shots and plug in. At which point his vision had matured enough that he no longer sounded like anything either before or since on Bringing It All Back Home. Those who were surprised or affronted, gawking open mouthed in the first row, had probably never properly digested THIS, his opening remarks.

Aside: Don’t think for a second that I don’t love, love, love Freewheelin’ and ASOBD. As I’ve said before, geniuses like Dylan can transcend whatever genre they put their talents to, even Ivory tower protest folk.

From Mercury TOP 100 COMMENTER 08/24/2013 02:45 | #84417 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Some thing about this album feels so youthful am innocent and hopeful. I really love it. It's a really cool album.