They definitely show evolution and progress as he breaks new ground with surrealism, social comment and imagery in his songwriting, but they still sound like Bob Dylan with the same honesty and authenticity that comes through on his folk tracks. These country blues flavors seem like a logical progression for Dylan and definitely do his songs justice. I'm not saying that these songs wouldn't have been just as good played solo on acoustic guitar, but they certainly wouldn't have had the same lighthearted feel. The album as a whole still does have a very spontaneous and rough feel, despite multiple instruments and recorded tracks, just like Dylan's folk music.
If you're only a fan of Bob Dylan's folk music then you might not enjoy this album, but I'd take a listen before deciding for sure. It definitely is one of the classic albums from the 1960s and serves as not only a good bridge between Dylan's early folk and blues, rock and roll and country to come, but a fun album to listen to as well.
It may have been a controversial move for him to get a backing band, pick up and electric guitar and play rock and roll, but the result, Bringing it All Back Home, is a must have album for any Bob Dylan fan or rock and roll enthusiast.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Good write-up. Welcome to the carnival.
2 - Lono
This is classic Dylan, way before he went weird in my estimation. Oh yes, there is electric... but it complements the music perfectly. Just like Blonde on Blonde... a masterpiece.
So when did get weird and lose me? Just after this time. Right around here Dylan had the very serious motorcycle accident, grew a terrible beard, and found god. Frankly, everything changed after those events (prioritize them as you will). Ah yes, these were great times for Dylan. Good review, glad to see someone is giving early Dylan some visibility besides me.
3 - Lono
I'll tell you what happened on that road in Woodstock on 1965. Remember how they said that Paul McCartney was killed in a car accident and the band hired an actor to play Paul going forward?
you see where I am going with this. Take a look at pre and post 1965 Dylan. Then, take a listen. Outside of the disgustingly perfect masterpiece 'Blood on the Tracks' in '74... I never saw or heard the Bob Dylan I fell in love with after 1965.
Yes yes yes, you will all say 'aren't artists allowed to grow and change? Well, I say no. Not at the rate Dylan did. That was some crazy overnight shit that happened. I think the motorcycle accident totally and completely frazzled him to the core. He was never the same, especially since they hired that actor to replace him. ha ha.
4 - Pete
I first heard Dylan in 1962, as I recall, although when I first heard him and saw him he was performing under the name of Blind Roy Gunt. I have been a major fan ever since. I moved to London a year later and it seemed that Dylan was more popular there than he was in America. I recalled quite well when "Bringing It All Back Home" came out and as I remembered it, except for a few hard-core folkies, the album was universally praised and accepted on the U.S. side of the Atlantic. Most of the negative criticism came from the other side of the pond.