BOB DYLAN: THE FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN
Dylan's first album failed to make an impact, and producer John Hammond was determined that the second album would succeed. Perhaps shaped by the parents of girlfriend (and cover companion) Suze Rotolo, who were members of the American Communist Party, Dylan peeled off an astonishing number of phenomenal original songs. Early Dylan is known as a protest singer, and some of the most notable songs here are in that vein - the anti-war and universal "Blowin' In The Wind" is early Dylan's signature song, and was his breakthrough piece, thanks to Peter, Paul, and Mary's version. But he's hardly a po-faced protest singer here, balancing the ultra-serious material like "Masters Of War" with fun songs like "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance". There are at least five towering achievements of song-writing here. The three most notable protest songs are the ubiquitous "Blowin' In The Wind", the nuclear commentary of "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall", and "Masters Of War". But Dylan's also gentle on "Girl From The North Country", a beautiful original while the brilliant "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" navigates personal relationships. When you consider that other defining rock acts of the 1960s were still reliant on covers in 1963, Dylan's effort in delivering a masterpiece on his second attempt is even more impressive.
Tracklist:
1.Blowin' In The Wind 2.Girl From The North Country 3.Masters Of War 4.Down The Highway 5.Bob Dylan's Blues 6.A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall 7.Don't Think Twice, It's All Right 8.Bob Dylan's Dream 9.Oxford Town 10.Talking World War III Blues 11.Corrina, Corrina 12.Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance 13.I Shall Be Free
Lineup:
Bob Dylan - acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals. Additional musicians: Howie Collins - guitar on "Corrina, Corrina", Leonard Gaskin - double bass on "Corrina, Corrina", Bruce Langhorne - guitar on "Corrina, Corrina", Herb Lovelle - drums on "Corrina, Corrina", Dick Wellstood - piano on "Corrina, Corrina"