Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde, Ranks #7 & #9

Bob Dylan is one of the most iconic folk artists of all time. He's hailed as one of the greatest and most influential artists, and has inspired countless up-and-coming musicians. I believe the core of Dylan's genius is his uncanny talent at writing songs.
Highway 61 Revisited is a fantastic Dylan album. Released in 1965, it is his sixth album, runs for 52 minutes, and has 9 tracks. Blonde on Blonde (1966) is Dylan's seventh album, runs for 72 minutes, and has 14 tracks. Together, these two albums showcase some of Bob Dylan's best songs in his enormous catalog.

Bob Dylan is an artist that people either love or hate. Some can't stand his voice. Others think his guitar playing is horrid. Personally, I think his voice is unique and captivating, and that it comes from his heart. There are many singers that aren't great singers, but they have a huge following because of the passion they put into what they do.

Highway 61 Revisited features some of Dylan's best work, including "Like A Rolling Stone," "Tombstone Blues," "Ballad of a Thin Man," "Queen Jane Approximately," and "Desolation Row." "Like A Rolling Stone" ranked as the greatest song of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine. Blonde on Blonde is another great collection of Dylan tunes, and features songs like "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35," "Visions of Johanna," "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again," "Just Like a Woman," and "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands."

The brilliance of these albums is evident when listening to them. Dylan's poetry is perfect, and his rhythms are simple and easy to listen to. Throw in a frequent harmonica, add some slight electric sounds and a whole lot of acoustic guitar, and you've got Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde.

If you're a fan of folk music, folk-rock, or rock-and-roll, then Bob Dylan is a common ancestor. His music stands the test of time, and he's still inspiring people today. If you've never listened to a Dylan album, I definitely recommend starting with Highway 61 Revisited, and then Blonde on Blonde. If you're still looking for more, I recommend Bob Dylan, Desire, Blood on the Tracks, or Another Side of Bob Dylan.

1 comment:

Krista said...

I'm in the I Love him category! LOL! I think it's his writing that really calls to me. I love the poetry feel of his music. He has wonderful lyrics... Very cool post!

One you didn't add that's one of my favorites is Mr. Tambourine Man!