A Record, Like the Man, Ahead of its Time

I really like this album. I love "Tambourine Man", love the subtle electric guitar. I adore "It Ain't Me Babe," it ain't no stinkin' love song. And neither is "Positively 4th Street." These are bitter and biting songs that grip like glue. "If you were standing in my shoes, you'd know what a drag it is to see you." What a line. Nobody writes them like Bob Dylan. "Rolling Stone", "Rainy Day Woman," and "I Want You," three jumpin' rockers. And then there is "Just Like a Woman," Lord I love that song that shows what a mesmerizing voice Dylan can have when he wants to. And, of course, I can't forget that song that is almost impossible to sing along with, " Subterranean Homesick Blues." Try memorizing the lyrics to that one, try singing them without the record playing. Was Dylan ahead of his time? You betcha.

Every Song on This Record is Important

My friend Sara's husband has the Dylan poster that originally came with this record framed and hanging in her living room. I really liked that poster, but my chances of ever finding a copy of this record in a record store with the poster still in it were like zero to none. So off to eBay I went and eighty dollars later I have my poster. I did, however, later find the record in pretty good condition in a used record store, no poster though, so I'm lucky I got the one I did. The cover of this record, with that backlight shining through Dylan's hair really reminds me of the song "Blowin' in the Wind" one of the three acoustic songs from his too short protest period on this record. The rock numbers are outstanding and the inclusion of "Postively 4th Street" was inspirational, because not only is it a divine song, but it had never been on an LP up until the release of this record. In fact this whole record is kind of inspirational, good early material that will have anybody up and thinking, good electric songs that will make you think as you sing along. Just an all around good record, this is.

This Record Must Have Really Shook `em Up Back Then

My husband is just about the greatest Bob Dylan fan that ever lived, so needless to say, I hear him coming out of the speakers in our house all the time. That's not to say I don't like him too. I do, a lot. One of the record's Jack (my husband) plays often is the first Greatest Hits CD. In fact it's probably the CD he plays the most. I can only imagine the impact this record must have made back when it came out. Just imagine "Rainy Day Woman" and "Like a Rolling Stone" on the same record. What must the establishment thought back then. There there is "Mr. Tambourine Man." How could they ever understand that. Add "Blowing in the Wind" and "Times" two songs they probably understood only too well, understood and didn't like. Yes, America was changing, the times were blowin' away in the wind. The future was coming fast. This record must have really shook 'em up.