I really enjoyed this (and any opportunity to read a thoughtful piece about Dylan's work). Coincidentally, it was Dylan who inspired me to do a similar dive into the 500 greatest albums (though I didn't write about them and listened to them out of order for no good reason).
This is such an interesting album, and it's impossible to appreciate what a jolt it must have been when it came out after the 3 that preceded it.
You make a great point about all the work he did on the Complete Basement Tapes only to exclude any of the songs on here, but I do think there are a lot of similarities in the biblical themes and the stripped down arrangements after the frenzied performances of the previous few years.
Making an album of virtually no choruses is one of 1000 ways that he has shown his vision and willingness to experiment.
As for the 500, I decided to listen to them I order because otherwise I would leave all the ones I didn’t want to listen to until the end! I forced myself to listen to them all 😵💫
Very much looking forward to it. The Complete Basement Tapes is one my favorite things he or anyone else has ever done. It was just so unlike anything else, and while I wish the quality were better, it also adds to it.
What they produced and its significance especially in the context of what was happening at the time is one of the closest examples for me of music being otherworldly.
I adore this album very much, and I hate that casuals end their Dylan journey at '66. This record feels so important to, not just Dylan's discography, but popular music in general: it set the model of who to do a retreat away from where critics were expecting you to go and do what you want to do - and do it perfectly. Buttrey and McCoy might be the greatest unsung rhythm section ever, they never miss a beat here.
I disagree with what you said about Hendrix's version of "Watchtower" besting Dylan, though I understand that's a hot take. Hendrix's version feels like a different song (which is fine), but it also makes comparing them completely moot.
I really enjoyed this (and any opportunity to read a thoughtful piece about Dylan's work). Coincidentally, it was Dylan who inspired me to do a similar dive into the 500 greatest albums (though I didn't write about them and listened to them out of order for no good reason).
This is such an interesting album, and it's impossible to appreciate what a jolt it must have been when it came out after the 3 that preceded it.
You make a great point about all the work he did on the Complete Basement Tapes only to exclude any of the songs on here, but I do think there are a lot of similarities in the biblical themes and the stripped down arrangements after the frenzied performances of the previous few years.
Making an album of virtually no choruses is one of 1000 ways that he has shown his vision and willingness to experiment.
Thanks! With The Basement Tapes coming up - spoiler alert - at #335, I will have a lot more to say about this period!!
As for the 500, I decided to listen to them I order because otherwise I would leave all the ones I didn’t want to listen to until the end! I forced myself to listen to them all 😵💫
Getting through some of those 4+ hour ones was NOT easy, but I stayed committed.
Awesome!
Very much looking forward to it. The Complete Basement Tapes is one my favorite things he or anyone else has ever done. It was just so unlike anything else, and while I wish the quality were better, it also adds to it.
What they produced and its significance especially in the context of what was happening at the time is one of the closest examples for me of music being otherworldly.
I adore this album very much, and I hate that casuals end their Dylan journey at '66. This record feels so important to, not just Dylan's discography, but popular music in general: it set the model of who to do a retreat away from where critics were expecting you to go and do what you want to do - and do it perfectly. Buttrey and McCoy might be the greatest unsung rhythm section ever, they never miss a beat here.
I disagree with what you said about Hendrix's version of "Watchtower" besting Dylan, though I understand that's a hot take. Hendrix's version feels like a different song (which is fine), but it also makes comparing them completely moot.
I can see that! You’re right - they’re almost ltwo different songs.