First three Bob Dylan LPs to buy?

Music Room
63

The discography of Dylan stretches over decades, with many genres, styles and themes being covered. He is a very observant man, and his songs testify to this. Since it is an epic journey, I would start at the beginning and work my way through, which I have done several times.

My first Dylan album was Desire, and is still my favourite, and is arguably an easy way in to Dylan.

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64

I’m not a huge Dylan fan, but Infidels opened the door for me. For years I would wonder what the fuss about Dylan was. Then I heard Union Sundown on the radio and I was all, “OK, I get it now.”

I’ve long has this theory that, for artists that you’re intrigued by but are not really a fan of, their second tier albums are often more appealing than their first tier ones.

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65

That is an interesting theory. Just need someone to claim thst “Wiggle Wiggle” was absolutely their way in now. :joy:

66

Definitely a good starting choice, just take your time with them, to digest them. Though I feel that @bhoyo is being a little optimistic by suggesting a month! :smile: Oh but he is right, if you ‘get it’ your brain will explode!!

After that I would go back to the start and fill in the gaps, The Times They Are A Changing, Another Side of Bob Dylan, Bringing It All Back Home and so forth. His live albums are worth it too, how he can change the presentation of a song and it still sounds great! I am not a greatest hits fan but his Greatest Hits Vol II has a few tracks not available on studio albums, Positively 4th Street jumps to mind.

Good luck with your quest, it will be worth it. :slightly_smiling_face:

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67

Positively 4th Street is on the first Greatest Hits collection, but you are correct in saying that there are a number of tracks on Greatest Hits II that are not available on studio albums.

I’m three albums into the mono box set, and it was definitely a worthwhile investment. Among other things, Dylan’s voice is notably less harsh.

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68

It might be on later iterations of the first Greatest Hits - I don’t know - but when I was 8 years old I was given the original cassette of that album and I can assure you it isn’t on there. I later bought vinyl and CD versions, neither of them contained “Positively”

69

This is what AI thinks to the question of ranking Dylan’s albums in order of brilliance- and yes I know all my data has gone to China etc etc

Ranking Bob Dylan’s albums is a highly subjective task, as his work spans decades and genres, and different albums resonate differently with listeners. However, based on critical acclaim, cultural impact, and influence, here’s a commonly accepted ranking of his most brilliant albums:

  1. Highway 61 Revisited (1965)

    • A landmark in music history, featuring classics like Like a Rolling Stone and Desolation Row. It redefined songwriting and rock music.

  2. Blonde on Blonde (1966)

    • Dylan’s first double album, known for its surreal lyrics and eclectic sound. Tracks like Visions of Johanna and Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands are masterpieces.

  3. Blood on the Tracks (1975)

    • A deeply personal and emotionally raw album, often considered his best work. Songs like Tangled Up in Blue and Simple Twist of Fate are iconic.

  4. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)

    • His breakthrough album, featuring protest anthems like Blowin’ in the Wind and A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall. It established Dylan as a voice of his generation.

  5. Bringing It All Back Home (1965)

    • The album where Dylan went electric, blending folk and rock. Tracks like Subterranean Homesick Blues and Mr. Tambourine Man are legendary.

  6. Time Out of Mind (1997)

    • A late-career masterpiece, marked by its haunting, introspective tone. Not Dark Yet and Make You Feel My Love are standout tracks.

  7. John Wesley Harding (1967)

    • A quieter, more reflective album after his electric trilogy. It includes All Along the Watchtower, famously covered by Jimi Hendrix.

  8. The Times They Are A-Changin’ (1964)

    • A politically charged album that captured the spirit of the 1960s. The title track remains an anthem for change.

  9. Desire (1976)

    • Known for its storytelling and collaborations with Emmylou Harris. Hurricane and Sara are highlights.

  10. Oh Mercy (1989)

    • A critically acclaimed comeback album produced by Daniel Lanois. Most of the Time and Ring Them Bells are standout tracks.

  11. Love and Theft (2001)

    • A vibrant, genre-blending album that showcased Dylan’s continued creativity. Mississippi and High Water (For Charley Patton) are key tracks.

  12. Nashville Skyline (1969)

    • A country-influenced album featuring Lay Lady Lay and a duet with Johnny Cash.

  13. Infidels (1983)

    • A return to secular themes after his gospel period, with tracks like Jokerman and Sweetheart Like You.

  14. Planet Waves (1974)

    • A collaboration with The Band, featuring Forever Young.

  15. Street-Legal (1978)

    • An underrated album with a lush, dramatic sound. Changing of the Guards is a standout.

This ranking is by no means definitive, as Dylan’s discography is vast and varied. Fans and critics often have different favorites depending on their personal tastes and the era of Dylan’s career they connect with most.

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70

This is the original album as released in the U.S. in 1967.

https://www.discogs.com/master/27269-Bob-Dylan-Bob-Dylans-Greatest-Hits

I’ve owned it on vinyl (purchased in the early 70s) and on CD.

Edit - looks like you have a British release.

71

Yes indeed you are right. My apologies, I was in a bit of a rush and didn’t proof read it before posting. Thanks for clearing it up.

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73

Well as that’s where I live, yes … no surprise there. :slight_smile:

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74

Ahhh, but we Yanks get the audiophile versions: :grinning:

1024×1024 312 KB

600×527 70.4 KB

(I have the latter.)

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75

I’d have settled for inclusion of P-4th-St … one of the best. As for audiophile edition … until you’ve heard it on a Bush portable cassette, with fading batteries and drowned out by your Dad’s MG … you haven’t really heard it.

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76

Back on topic … 3 is too difficult so I’ll just add Street Legal to the other recommendations. (Apols if already there).

77

Glad to see “Street Legal” mentioned. I forget which vendor I used to purchase the early 2000 SACDs, but they offered a package of 8 (which I assume they thought were the most popular) at an especially good price. It included “Desire,” which I’ve never especially liked. I said substitute “Street Legal,” and you’ve got a deal. They did.

But I don’t especially recommend “Street Legal” as a place to start.

I’ve since bought some of the MFSL SACDs." “Blonde on Blonde” wins the contest for most digital versions bought by me.

First CD (slightly edited) release
Gold Masterdisc
First (1 disc) SACD version
Second (Two disc) SACD version - part of that set of 8
MFSL version
Sony Mono disc

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78

Ha! … … (If I HAD to narrow it down to 3, Desire would certainly be in there! With BOTT)

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79

The audiophile versions are all well and good, but the herbal versions win by a North Country Mile. :rofl:

80

What do you think of this box then, John. A new acquisition I believe ?

81

I’ve listened to the first four discs. I have no other version of the first album, but I have multiple versions of the other three. I am most impressed with his voice. I do find the mix sounds a bit more distant than with the versions I used for comparison.

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82

I think this ‘distance’ makes it sound a little more natural - there’s more air (I’m not very good at describing these things !). The voice sounds wonderful and there’s great clarity in the instruments. I really like the box set A LOT :grimacing:
It was also my first time in hearing the first album. What a hoot ! I has such a cute quality to it :smiley:

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83

He released some gems later in his career like Modern times, Time Out Of Mind, and Oh Mercy but I prefer earlier Dylan myself so I’d pick The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A-Changin’, and then go with Blood On The Tracks for my 3rd choice. Loved the movie by the way, thought it was excellent.

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