Six Listen Dylan

This is one of his great albums in the usual reckoning.  I can see why. But dare I say it?  Like a Rolling Stone goes on a bit. Unlike Desolation Row, which the more I listen to it, the more I want it never to end. I enjoy this album top to bottom.  Out-of-tune guitars still present! I will listen to this over and over and always get something new out of it, I'm sure. There is scope for a Dylan fancy dress party.  Einstein dressed as Robin Hood.  Dr Filth, and the nurse (a local loser) in charge of the cyanide hole and the "Have mercy on his soul" cards.  And so on!   I now expect and enjoy the wheezy harmonica throughout, it's all part of the song.  And he can really sing.   Why on earth haven't I given Dylan the time of day before?

  This starts with Subterranean Homesick Blues - possibly the first music video?  It's great, but there are a number of these jokey stream-of-consciousness songs which I can live without.  Maggie's Farm is OK, but is a bit too similar to SHB for my liking.  Outlaw Blues, On The Road Again, Bob Dylan's 115th Dream...they are all OK.  The love songs on side 1 are (shocking!) all...OK too. For me, this album is all about the second side.  Mr Tambourine Man...why did the Byrds miss half the verses out??  Dylan can build a world in a single song and he really does it here.  Hypnotic. Gates of Eden: austere, mysterious, wonderful. It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding): I seem to hold my breath during this song.  I knew this song already: think a friend from university put it on a tape compilation thirty years ago.  I am a slow learner!  Staggering. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue: what an ending to an album.  In a number of his "finger-po...