Bob Dylan Chart by 
Mercury 
UPDATE: about 7 years ago when I first gained custom chart abilities round these parts, the first thing I did was this chart. I was indeed listening intently to Dylan each day in chronological order, trying to write a sensible review, and then ranking them. Years went by and I never got past the 80s (go figure...lol) but I now will open this up and make it public again. I have added every album i think and then i'll rank them without reviews in some cases. But for now the first 30 is all done and reviewed and then the next 40 or so are just the very long chronological list of what I have left to do.
I do plan on (yes I know I have said the following before) continuing and giving new listens to all these albums.
Let me know what you think.
- Chart updated: 09/25/2021 04:45
- (Created: 08/23/2013 08:22).
- Chart size: 73 albums.
There are 14 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Bob Dylan Chart has an average rating of 93 out of 100 (from 21 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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26 January 2014
"Nashville Skyline" is a unique classic in Dylan's discog. It is undeniably the masterpiece of that era of Dylan. What made that album so special to me is how natural, joyous and unserious it seemed while still being economical and beautifully written. Other albums of that time didn't have that same magic. What this release - Bootleg Series 10 - does is present a whole new and exciting look at that same period. And right here is all that same magic that I found in "Nashville Skyline". The joy and spontaneity and beauty and simplicity is all back and represented very nicely here.
Dylan's playfulness and whimsical experimentation and willingness to do most anything in these sessions is what makes this double album so special. It's easy to get totally immersed in this set. It is an album that doesn't seem to have any set place in time. It's composed of so many types of old songs and sounds and folk stories, it really feels like you are allowing yourself into a different world by listening.
There are many standouts here including the alternate versions of "Little Sadie" and "In Search Of Little Sadie", "Alberta #3" (by far the best version of that song I've heard), the alternate version of "I Threw It All Away", the beautifully sentimental, piano-heavy version of "If Not For You", the Hank Snow cover "These Hands", the overwhelmingly gorgeous folk of "Copper Kettle" (that organ is just lovely), the amazing horn-driven rendition of "New Morning" and of course the closer "When I Paint My Masterpiece". There are many more as well.
All in all, this is definitely a record that will be most appreciated by fans of Dylan. Much like bootleg series 1-3, 7, 8 and 9 - this is not really a great entrance into the greatness of Dylan. But considering that it is a compilation it manages to cover a short enough period of time with enough variety that it holds up better than any of those bootleg series albums as a stand alone album.
I really love this record. I feel I kinda needed this record. It's the perfect final statement or "cherry on top" of that period of Dylan's music.
Grade 90/100 [First added to this chart: 10/06/2013]
"Nashville Skyline" is a unique classic in Dylan's discog. It is undeniably the masterpiece of that era of Dylan. What made that album so special to me is how natural, joyous and unserious it seemed while still being economical and beautifully written. Other albums of that time didn't have that same magic. What this release - Bootleg Series 10 - does is present a whole new and exciting look at that same period. And right here is all that same magic that I found in "Nashville Skyline". The joy and spontaneity and beauty and simplicity is all back and represented very nicely here.
Dylan's playfulness and whimsical experimentation and willingness to do most anything in these sessions is what makes this double album so special. It's easy to get totally immersed in this set. It is an album that doesn't seem to have any set place in time. It's composed of so many types of old songs and sounds and folk stories, it really feels like you are allowing yourself into a different world by listening.
There are many standouts here including the alternate versions of "Little Sadie" and "In Search Of Little Sadie", "Alberta #3" (by far the best version of that song I've heard), the alternate version of "I Threw It All Away", the beautifully sentimental, piano-heavy version of "If Not For You", the Hank Snow cover "These Hands", the overwhelmingly gorgeous folk of "Copper Kettle" (that organ is just lovely), the amazing horn-driven rendition of "New Morning" and of course the closer "When I Paint My Masterpiece". There are many more as well.
All in all, this is definitely a record that will be most appreciated by fans of Dylan. Much like bootleg series 1-3, 7, 8 and 9 - this is not really a great entrance into the greatness of Dylan. But considering that it is a compilation it manages to cover a short enough period of time with enough variety that it holds up better than any of those bootleg series albums as a stand alone album.
I really love this record. I feel I kinda needed this record. It's the perfect final statement or "cherry on top" of that period of Dylan's music.
Grade 90/100 [First added to this chart: 10/06/2013]
4
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31 August 2013 -
This collection is pretty great! There is a beautiful, laid back, unforced and unconcerned vibe on many of the songs here. Also this Bootleg series really presents in detail the beautiful transformation Dylan went through from 62 to 64 - from pretty traditional blues/folk singer to budding songwriter to songwriting prodigy/extraordinaire to poetic genius in a folk musician's guise.
I feel that a lot of this material is more great for interest in development and so you have the records as documents more than for sheer quality or essentialness. This album probably will only be truly amazing if you are a pretty well initiated Bob Dylan fan. That said, there are some songs on here that are all time classic Dylan works ("Tomorrow Is A Long Time", "Let Me Die In My Footsteps", "Farewell" and much more). I could see someone buying this or hearing this as an introduction to the man's music and it could definitely be a fine intro (although "Freewheelin'" is much more recommended).
Energy and charismatic flair are on full display throughout here. And even for songs that are contained on other studio or live or bootleg series the songs here are often in a fresh and exciting state of are just performed in a slightly different way. This keeps the classics interesting, for me at least. And the rendition of "Don't Think Twice" on here is truly one of the greatest and most tender and pure musical anythings I've ever heard. The better known "Freewheelin'..." version is also masterful, but this FEELS like something else, something more pure and wonderful. (Note: This song version is also on Bootleg Series 7 "No Direction Home Soundtrack" which is where I first heard it)
Grade: 85/100 [First added to this chart: 09/01/2013]
This collection is pretty great! There is a beautiful, laid back, unforced and unconcerned vibe on many of the songs here. Also this Bootleg series really presents in detail the beautiful transformation Dylan went through from 62 to 64 - from pretty traditional blues/folk singer to budding songwriter to songwriting prodigy/extraordinaire to poetic genius in a folk musician's guise.
I feel that a lot of this material is more great for interest in development and so you have the records as documents more than for sheer quality or essentialness. This album probably will only be truly amazing if you are a pretty well initiated Bob Dylan fan. That said, there are some songs on here that are all time classic Dylan works ("Tomorrow Is A Long Time", "Let Me Die In My Footsteps", "Farewell" and much more). I could see someone buying this or hearing this as an introduction to the man's music and it could definitely be a fine intro (although "Freewheelin'" is much more recommended).
Energy and charismatic flair are on full display throughout here. And even for songs that are contained on other studio or live or bootleg series the songs here are often in a fresh and exciting state of are just performed in a slightly different way. This keeps the classics interesting, for me at least. And the rendition of "Don't Think Twice" on here is truly one of the greatest and most tender and pure musical anythings I've ever heard. The better known "Freewheelin'..." version is also masterful, but this FEELS like something else, something more pure and wonderful. (Note: This song version is also on Bootleg Series 7 "No Direction Home Soundtrack" which is where I first heard it)
Grade: 85/100 [First added to this chart: 09/01/2013]
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28 August 2013 -
This record is pretty interesting, pretty laid back, nothing amazing or mind blowing. But there is something just enjoyable to hear Dylan doing such a talkin' blues-heavy gig (more than a third the album is talkin' blues). And the rendition here of "Ballad of Hollis Brown" is pretty chilling. "Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues" is brilliant and funny and witty and delivered in such a cool, classic way! That's my favorite highlight here for sure. "Talkin' World War III" is pretty beautiful too.
All in all this is not an album I'd say is a must own but it is something to check out if you're trying to check out more early Dylan. It's got good vibes and I really like it.
Grade 70/100 [First added to this chart: 08/28/2013]
This record is pretty interesting, pretty laid back, nothing amazing or mind blowing. But there is something just enjoyable to hear Dylan doing such a talkin' blues-heavy gig (more than a third the album is talkin' blues). And the rendition here of "Ballad of Hollis Brown" is pretty chilling. "Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues" is brilliant and funny and witty and delivered in such a cool, classic way! That's my favorite highlight here for sure. "Talkin' World War III" is pretty beautiful too.
All in all this is not an album I'd say is a must own but it is something to check out if you're trying to check out more early Dylan. It's got good vibes and I really like it.
Grade 70/100 [First added to this chart: 08/28/2013]
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So, this is the beginning of the next 35 or so albums which I need to review and listen to newly in the process. As you can see by the dates on the reviews above I was making pretty good progress and then stopped some years ago. Since then some new albums have come out, including archival albums such as this which leave little chronological Holes in my intention to listen to everything by dylan I can get my hands on. I will be starting from here, Bootleg Series 12, a series covering his mid 60s peak, when I get going on this project again. Then onto the hit or (mostly) miss 80s after that. I do not think its a coincidence that I stopped at 79 lol.
[First added to this chart: 02/15/2016]
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[First added to this chart: 04/26/2018]
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[First added to this chart: 04/26/2018]
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[First added to this chart: 02/15/2016]
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[First added to this chart: 12/13/2020]
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On deck....
[First added to this chart: 02/15/2016]
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[First added to this chart: 12/13/2020]
Total albums: 18. Page 1 of 2
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Bob Dylan Chart composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 9 | 12% | |
| 1970s | 13 | 18% | |
| 1980s | 10 | 14% | |
| 1990s | 8 | 11% | |
| 2000s | 13 | 18% | |
| 2010s | 18 | 25% | |
| 2020s | 2 | 3% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Bob Dylan | 62 | 85% | |
| Various Artists | 5 | 7% | |
| Bob Dylan & The Band | 4 | 5% | |
| Bob Dylan Featuring Johnny Cash | 1 | 1% | |
| Bob Dylan & The Grateful Dead | 1 | 1% |
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93/100 (from 21 votes)
where:
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Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 21 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 100/100  | 11/07/2018 12:49 |  DommeDamian | | 90/100 |
| 100/100 | 09/10/2018 02:05 |  Onater | | 90/100 |
| 85/100 | 05/30/2018 01:37 |  JulianR | | 75/100 |
| 100/100 | 04/27/2018 05:21 |  AAL2014 | | 92/100 |
| 90/100 | 01/25/2016 20:19 |  Applerill | | 75/100 |
Rating metrics:
Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
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This chart is rated in the top 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 92.8/100, a mean average of 95.7/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 95.9/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 5.2.
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100/100
From DommeDamian 11/07/2018 12:49
DommeDamian 11/07/2018 12:49
I felt like I needed a chart like this. Bob Dylan a living legend!!!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From JulianR 05/30/2018 01:40
JulianR 05/30/2018 01:40
This is pretty cool. I can see lots of effort has gone in to it. However you're missing some of Dylan's best albums! Oh Mercy, and then basically all the studio albums from Time Out of Mind to present are absolutely phenomenal. Time Out of Mind is especially good, my #2 Dylan album at the moment. Other than that (and the fact that Blonde on Blonde is so low! How could you??), you're doing great work. Keep it up!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From stangetzaway 12/09/2015 12:17
Great hobby to rank the albums of the grestest solo performer in the history of popular music. One piece of advice hunt down Biograph its the grandfather of the bootleg series if you like but comfortably better than any of them (except poss live 66!)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From Jhef9312 11/24/2015 05:16
Cool chart, but you have to finish it. Again the comments are great. Being a huge Dylan fan, I would have ranked them differently. I think I'm going to have to steal the idea for my first custom chart also, thanks!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From RockyRaccoon 03/26/2015 18:44
RockyRaccoon 03/26/2015 18:44
I'd be interested on your thoughts on Dylan & The Dead
Come back to this!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
Arthurknight 12/10/2014 04:15
Arthurknight 12/10/2014 04:15
Revisited is definitely Dylan's best work, and for that your chart definitely wins me over. i love the notes you've added btw
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
Decurso 07/28/2014 14:14
Decurso 07/28/2014 14:14
Fabulous! Personally I would put Blonde on Blonde in the number 2 spot and rate Desire ahead of Blood on the Tracks...but thats just me. Bob rules!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From RockyRaccoon 05/09/2014 04:31
RockyRaccoon 05/09/2014 04:31
I'm also interested to see what your absolute least favorite Dylan album is when this is all said and done. My bet is Under The Red Sky
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From RockyRaccoon 05/09/2014 04:29
RockyRaccoon 05/09/2014 04:29
Love it. Of course I would've had Blood On The Tracks at #1 but that's me, #2 ain't bad. You can't go wrong with just about any of these albums. I'll be interested to see your opinion on his 80s stuff. 80s Dylan can be tough to listen to at time, but I think albums like Saved get more hate than they should.
Anyways, good chart, love it.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
eclab 02/14/2014 14:25
eclab 02/14/2014 14:25
Perfect top two, and I like seeing BoB so far down.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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| Best Ever Artists | |
|---|---|
| 1. The Beatles | |
| 2. Radiohead | |
| 3. Pink Floyd | |
| 4. David Bowie | |
| 5. Bob Dylan | |
| 6. Led Zeppelin | |
| 7. The Rolling Stones | |
| 8. Arcade Fire | |
| 9. The Velvet Underground | |
| 10. Kendrick Lamar | |
| 11. Nirvana | |
| 12. Neil Young | |
| 13. The Smiths | |
| 14. Miles Davis | |
| 15. The Beach Boys | |
| 16. Kanye West | |
| 17. Pixies | |
| 18. R.E.M. | |
| 19. Jimi Hendrix | |
| 20. Bruce Springsteen |