HOW TO LISTEN TO DYLAN - NOT COLD YET...

It’s Not Cold Yet…but it’s getting there! Ok, we’re now heading into the quiver of Dylan albums that are “ok” or maybe “a little better than ok.” At this point you’ve heard about all he’s got to throw at you. Now, it’s time to re-trace and listen to other albums from some his phases you may have liked (i.e. folk, Gospel, etc.). Theses next few records are what we’d recommend the now veteran Dylan listener dig into next. But, please proceed with an open mind and your pinky finger on the fast forward button.

18. The Basement Tapes (1975)

This album has a lot of songs—most of which are rustic, pastoral and funny. Close friends of Bob have often talked about his wry sense of humor and this album seems to prove them right. These songs (most of them anyway) were recorded with The Band in their “Big Pink” house after Dylan’s famous motorcycle accident. Rumor has it they recorded over 100 songs including several cover songs. This record may be one of the few Dylan albums that you can put on the stereo while playing cards with friends and have it enhance the joviality in the room. We certainly don’t recommend you pick this album as a hill to die when trying to understand more of Dylan’s genius. It’s fun but not very deep—take it for what it’s worth and enjoy!

• Studs: You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere, Katie’s Been Gone, Bessie Smith
• Duds: Ain’t No More Cane, Ruben Remus, Clothes Line Saga

19. Good As I Been To You (1992)

What was the best songwriter in the world thinking when he put out a stripped-down album of folk song covers late in his career? Who knows—such is Dylan. This album is hard to listen to if you’re already not totally sold on Dylan. There’s definitely not a radio hit to be had on this album nor is there any original lyrics. Still, there’s some really cool moments on this record that keep it out of the bottom of the barrel of Bobby records. His cover of “Jim Jones” should give you chills and “Step It Up and Go” will have you tapping your feet. What’s most intriguing on this record is the intricacy of Dylan’s guitar playing. You can really hear how good of a guitarist he is on this album. He certainly adds new life to these songs that were originally made up of 3 chords and a cloud of dust. His voice is close to its worst on this record but the performances compensate adequately. Now, that you’re close to getting your graduate degree in Dylan listening—you’ll appreciate Good As I Been to You for what it is.

• Studs: Frankie and Albert, Jim Jones, Canadee-I-O, Arthur McBride
• Duds: Blackjack Davey, Sittin’ On Top of the World, You’re Gonna Quit Me

20. Street Legal (1978)

This album is just plain “ok.” There are some good moments on this record but it’s very similar in style and feel to Some Dylan fanatics say they love this album but we doubt it’s truly in anyone’s Top Ten. It barely made our top 20 for the new listener. As you’re not a new listener at this point in the list, this album is definitely worth keeping on light rotation in your Dylan play list. Nuff said.

• Studs: Changing of the Guards, Where are You Tonight?, Is Your Love in Vain
• Duds: New Pony, Baby, Stop Crying, True Love Tends to Forget

21. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973)

This is a unique Dylan album in that it was written for a movie and contains several instrumentals (“Main Title Theme”, “Bunkhouse Theme”, “Turkey Chase”). Obviously, the big draw to this album is the Dylan immortal classic “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” which has been covered by everyone and their brother. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is more of an easy listening album than anything. The instrumentals are soothing but tend to be repetitive and unimaginative. Meanwhile the “Billy” theme song is sung 3 times over in different styles and tempos. There’s not a lot to dislike on this album but there’s also not a lot to like due to its repetitiveness. This album probably won’t offend anyone but it won’t win any uninitiated fans either.

• Studs: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Main Title Theme, Billy 7
• Duds: Turkey Chase, River Theme

22. Shot of Love (1981)

Shot of Love is the 3rd installment of Dylan’s pure Christian albums. It’s not as winsome as Slow Train Coming and can feel a bit cumbersome after a few listens. There’s some great songs here though that can be appreciated by the Dylan PhD’s out there. “Every Grain of Sand” is a fan favorite and even has an entire website devoted to it. At this point in the listening plan you know what to listen for and what to skip over…at least we hope. This album has more listenable songs than “skip overs” but is a far cry from albums higher up the food chain. Frankly, if you’re not a Christian or Gospel music fan there’s just not a lot here. Although “Lenny Bruce” is a great song for a great man. May he rest in peace.

• Studs: The Groom’s Still Waiting at the Altar, Every Grain of Sand, Lenny Bruce
• Duds: Property of Jesus, Trouble, In the Summertime

23. Planet Waves (1974)

This album is “so-so” and is pretty far down on our listening plan. There’s nothing much to hate here but nothing much to love either. The marquis track is obviously “Forever Young,” a tribute to Bobby’s kids. (By the way--why the decision was made to include the 2nd version of FY is beyond us…all it does is make you appreciate the first version more). Outside of “Forever Young” this album is just mediocre. It’s certainly not his worst and offers some interesting moments in tunes like “Hazel” and “Wedding Song.” What’s most notable about this album is that it’s the pre-cursor to his classic—Blood on the Tracks. If you listen closely you can hear the birth pains of Blood on the Tracks as this album has similar instrumentation and delivery but the songs aren’t near as good. If you’re this far into Dylan’s albums, Planet Waves is worthy of a few listens to do your Dylan due diligence but it ain’t top shelf...that’s for sure.

• Studs: Forever Young (1st Version), Hazel, Wedding Song
• Duds: On A Night Like This, Tough Mama, Forever Young (2nd Version)

24. New Morning (1970)

Been there done that! This album is a laid-back and rootsy. It holds a few decent tunes for sure. But, since you’ve already listened to John Wesley Harding and Planet Waves you won’t find much new here. “If Not For You” is a nice little opener that sets the soothing tone for the rest of album. By the way, George Harrison did a great cover of “If Not For You” on his classic album All Things Must Pass. Overall, we’re pretty blasé about this album. Most people can take or leave it. True Dylan fans--which includes you if you’re this far on the list—will probably take it. But, you’ll agree it’s somewhat of a “throw away” album that doesn’t break any new ground or give you a whole lot to come back for. However, it’s certainly not a “turd.” Those come later.

• Studs: If Not For You, Winterlude, Time Passes Slowly
• Duds: One More Weekend, The Man in Me, Went to See the Gypsy

This album is the little brother to Good As I Been to You. Why Dylan went back to the well by doing another album’s worth of old folk and blues songs is beyond us. But, all in all, this isn’t a bad album—especially if you liked Good As I Been to You. We have it pretty far down on the listening plan because it’s not as good as it’s predecessor and doesn’t feature any original songs. Brand new listeners would hate this album if you played it for them first. Still, there are some decent covers like “Blood in My Eyes” and “World Gone Wrong.” But, again, we ask...why would one of the best songwriters on God’s green Earth do another covers album late in his career? But, then again, Bobby has never done what people wanted him to do…so why start now?

• Studs: World Gone Wrong, Blood in My Eyes, Love Henry, Delia
• Duds: Ragged Dirty, Jack-A-Roe, Broke Down Engine

Saved is by far the most “Gospelly” of Dylan’s Christian albums. His performances are passionate and the songwriting is awash in Biblical foundations. However, there’s not a lot to like here unless you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Gospel music fan. Thus, we’ve put it pretty far down in our listening plan. If you’ve made it this far though you’re probably a “right or wrong—I still love Dylan” type of fan by now. So, we’re betting you’ll enjoy some of the charm and mojo that exists in tracks like “Solid as a Rock” and “In the Garden”. This album was dissed pretty hard by the critics when it came out—mostly because it came out right after Slow Train Coming and people worried that he was becoming a fanatic. Listen to it for what it’s worth and we think you’ll find it to be “ok” or even “good” if you’re into Gospel music.

• Studs: Saved, Solid As a Rock, In the Garden
• Duds: Covenant Woman, Pressing On, Are You Ready

27. Down in The Groove (1988)

Down in The Groove is just above the “crapola line” in our listening plan. Why? Well, it certainly can be lumped into Dylan’s 80’s slump albums. Most people rightfully put it in the category of “moderately sucky.” Part of the problem is that there are only 4 originals on the album—“Silvio”, “Ugliest Girl in the World”, “Death is Not the End” and “Had a Dream About You, Baby”. 80’s Dylan doing mostly covers just doesn’t cut the mustard. But this album does have a few bright spots (namely “Silvio” and “Death is Not the End”) which make it “listenable” about every 18 months or so. If nothing else it will help you appreciate the 26 other albums that precede it on our list.

• Studs: Silvio, Death is Not the End
• Duds: Everything not listed as Studs