Blonde On Blonde

After enjoying reviewing Johnny Cash/Willie Nelson VH1 Storytellers yesterday ****, thought it would be fun to review one of Bob Dylan's seminal records "Blonde on Blonde." This is an album that has grown on me. (Stars are iTunes for the songs from 1-5, and plays on iTunes). I have had this album for a while. But I usually listen to tracks off it randomly not the album as a whole, so this will be fun.1. Rainy Day Women #12 & #35 -- The carnival rambunctiousness of everybody get stoned, as it's often known. So don't feel so alone, every.. body must get stoned. **** (18)2. Pledging My Time -- Not a song I know as well. Weaker track on this excellent album. *** (2)3. Visions of Johanna -- One of Dylan's more underrated songs. Captures the wonderful, surreal spirit of this album. And a beautiful rhythm. I really love Bob Dylan's voice. This song just makes me happy. **** (15)4. One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later) -- Another track I don't know as well on this album. Doesn't come together like many of the anthemic tracks on this album, but a nice song. *** (2)5. I Want You -- Guitar with harmonica works as a song. I just love the playfulness of Dylan's voice on this song. And "I want you, I want you, I want you, so bad" sounds like a trite line, but totally works. Wonderful song. **** (23)6. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again -- A song I don't listen to enough. Has all of the storytelling, surrealism and fun of this album. Oh momma, is this really be the end. Reminds me of one of my favorite Dylan songs "Ballad of a Thin Man." Just got added to my "Awesome Sauce" playlist. **** (2)7. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat -- Always happy to hear this song. One that I love to sing to. Maybe I should do this for karoeke. Easily one of my favorite all-time songs. Playful surrealism again. I don't mind him cheating on me, but I'd sure wish he'd take that off his head, you brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat. ***** (29)8. Just Like a Woman -- Absolutely a signature song. And one of the most heartfelt on this often wonderfully silly record. Just makes me happy. She just aches just a like a woman, but she breaks just like a little girl. ***** (31)9. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) -- A lot of long titles on this album. Back to the silly, surreal songs. Doesn't come through for me like some of my favorite tracks on this record. *** (3)10. Temporary Like Achilles -- A nice song. Still a good track, but on "Blonde on Blonde" it seems pedestrian. *** (4)11. Absolutely Sweet Marie -- The playfulness and great melody is back. After two songs that don't quite reach the level of the best of this album. Wonderful. But to live outside the law, you must be honest. **** (25)12. 4th Time Around -- Very pretty opening. Vocal is a little muddy behind the instrumental on this one. This probably could have used more takes. Good song that could be better. You do in to the melody as it goes on. *** (5)13. Obviously 5 Believers -- Kind of a crazy start, very brassy. Doesn't flow as well as the best tracks of the album. To me this is an album that you can listen to in pieces. *** (5)14. Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands -- Dylan is good at the long, storytelling song. Effermal and a perfect ending. It's a really lovely song. Bob Dylan is a master at the harmonica. **** (5)This is a great album, one of the best I own. Just fantastic. There is a reason Bob Dylan is my all time 2nd favorite music performer to Johnny Cash. So many great songs on this record in ranking order (4 stars plus): Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat, Just Like a Woman, Visions of Johanna, Absolutely Sweet Marie, I Want You, Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again. 8 of 14 songs on an album being 4 star plus and 2 being 5 stars is extremely rare for me, great and amazing album.

Brand new in cellophane. Shipped super fast.

Great songs by Bob.

1966 was an incredible year for music! Motown was still going strong, churning out the hits. The First Wave Of British Invasion Artists were in their stride, with The Second Wave (John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream) crashing in. We also saw the debut albums of Nancy Sinatra, Jefferson Airplane, The Mamas and Papas, The Monkees and The Mothers Of Invention (whose debut album, Freak Out!, became the first-ever double album released by a rock artist. Dylan's Blonde On Blonde came out a few months later.) How's THAT for diversity?!!? Plus, we had Paul Revere & The Raiders, Simon & Garfunkel, The Lovin' Spoonful, The Young Rascals as well as Memphis soul, garage rock and psychedelic.Here's a food for thought: This was the year that five masterpiece rock albums came out: Revolver (The Beatles), Aftermath (The Rolling Stones), Pet Sounds (The Beach Boys), Face To Face (The Kinks)...and this one, Blonde On Blonde by Mr. Dylan. Name one other year in which all the top rock acts of the day released all equally great albums. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller??? Bueller??? Bueller???This is one of those rare albums I can listen to all the way through without skipping a single track. From the opening track, the drunken-like Salvation Army stomp of Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 to the album's closer, the tender and beautiful Sad-Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands, it's a wide range of emotions: funny, witty, sad and downright bluesy.Mr. Dylan recorded this album in Nashville, TN., where three years later, he'd return for Nashville Skyline. But, Blonde On Blonde doesn't sound anything remotely country at all, even though Charlie McCoy, Nashville's top-session harmonica player plays blues harp on Obviously Five Believers. This was during Dylan's gone electric phase, where folk purists cried foul and accused him of selling out. But, as we all know, Mr. Dylan was never one to follow the herd.If you've worn out many copies of this album, do yourself a favor and buy it here...and listen to it again...for the first time! If you've never heard this album before (pity), then, it should be included in every rock collection. Over 72 minutes of glorious work by Mr. Dylan. (For some reason, I cannot just call him Bob.)

Being an audiophile I have delved into shallow end of Dylan's work for some time. I was constantly exposed to it after high school in the mid 80s thanks to some friends. Of course I was familiar with the "hits". I just wasn't sure I could listen to his voice over and over. For years he had taken a very low priority status with me. Meanwhile I developed an affinity for unique voices. Michael Stipe, Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil, Terry Taylor most notably from Daniel Amos, Bruce Cockburn, John Linell and John Flansburgh otherwise known as They Might Be Giants to name a few.With his recent resurgence I began exploring his work through streaming outlets still wary about laying out money for him. I was enticed when this album went on sale for $2.99 recently so I broke down and bought it. It's easily the best money I've spent in a while.There are many, many rave reviews about this album and deservedly so. The album is incredible.The album is as old as I am. It was his breakout from the constraint of folk. Or is it the album that expanded the definition of what folk music was at the time? Track by track this album is a solid classic. Each track is done in a different style but each is still uniquely Dylan. His biting wit clearly evident on several tracks as are his more sensitive words.In the time I have owned this album it has gained top shelf status with me.If you're looking at starting a collection of his work I highly recommend starting here.