John Wesley Harding Stumps Joe | Discovering Bob Dylan, Ep. 10

Well it had to happen, a Bob Dylan album Joe isn't crazy about (you'll have to watch the album for the score). And apparently it happened here in 1967. While everyone else in the music world decided to go for baroque, Dylan went back to basics with the extremely black and white, agrarian John Wesley Harding, his most stripped down record yet.
Coming so soon after Blonde on Blonde, it was perhaps the starkest indication yet that Bob Dylan does what Bob Dylan wants to do. And Bob Dylan wants to make a stripped down, guitar, bass, harmonica and drums kind of album. What people didn't know is that Bob had been playing with the Band in the basement, and this kind of rootsy rock was already on his mind. But it still must have been a shock to hear.
Containing the seminal All Along the Watchtower, John Wesley Harding sold well and got plenty of good reviews. It was also his last record for over a year. He would be back as a country crooner with Nashville Skyline, but not until 1969.
Enjoy the album? Enjoy the show? Let us hear it. Leave your thoughts in the comments. Is Joe crazy? Or do his tender young ears just not have the capability to really HEAR what Bob Dylan is doing on John Wesley Harding.
Thanks for watching!

[@pisongsea]

As I Went Out One Morning is absolutely classic

[@collinmurr3207]

I was looking forward to this one! It's my favorite Bob Dylan album, but I realize it's not most people's. The stripped-down, haunting arrangements really work for me. I'm glad you both like As I Went Out One Morning, which is my favorite song on the album and probably a top 5 Dylan song overall for me. The bassline, the story, and the melody are so haunting and autumnal, and I love his version of All Along the Watchtower for similar reasons. I love Frankie Lee and Judas Priest for poking some fun at people trying to find the meaning of his songs, but i can see how people could hate it too. I think it's his most consistent album, with a strong sound from beginning to end. I know it will never be as acclaimed as the electric trilogy, but I loved hearing you talk about it. Great video!

[@michaelbenz8092]

I love the rhythm section on this album and the mystical atmosphere.

[@dekafer123]

It always makes my day when these Bob Dylan episodes pop up.

[@jeremypowell9260]

My favorite Dylan album.

[@nikosvault]

Like this more and more over the years. Nashville Skyline less and less.

[@MikeVernonProd]

Nashville Skyline certainly isn’t as good as John Wesley Harding (especially lyrically). I still love it for the Dylan does country novelty factor and the fact that he writes really fantastic country songs (the playing is also fantastic). Nashville Skyline is certainly more accessible from a musical standpoint, so I won’t be surprised if Joe says he prefers it to JWH.

[@FallGuy-68]

When i first listened ti this album, it made me feel like the characters were real. Amazing record!

[@aronpolasek4506]

Fair enough assessment from Joe here. I don’t agree with him, but I can understand his take on the record. When I first got into Dylan, well before Amazon and the internet, I had trouble getting “John Wesley Harding”. None of the stores I went to ever had it in stock on cassette or CD. I remember I finally had to request a special order of it from one local store, and maybe that is partly why I’m rather fond of this one. It was more elusive for me. The harmonica is a bit sharp in places, but I love a lot of these songs. ‘I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine’ is very high on my list of favorite Dylan songs. It’s so beautiful, and I love the patience he has with his vocal delivery on it. I’ve always viewed this and “Nashville Skyline” as opposite sides of a coin. This side is more sparse, but more challenging in terms of the songwriting, where “Skyline” is a warmer, richer, and fuller sounding record with more basic lyrical content.

[@painless465]

It's crazy how we all look at Dylan's music differently. JWH is my second favorite Dylan album for me(HWY 61 #1), and probably my most played. A great late night record. 5 stars for me And yes, Judas Priest did get their name from the song( original bassist Brian Stapenhill was a Dylan fan, and when they were looking for a "Black Sabbath" type name, he came up with this)

[@shane.b.]

this album is a weird one for me. I do love it & it would probably end up in my (lower) top 15-20 somewhere but I don’t reach for it all the time so I can understand Joe not being crazy about it. like Dylan was speaking about, the mix on the harmonica is easily my biggest issue with it. but on that note I also love everything else about the mix & the simple band arrangements. & I love the weird old timey biblical headspace the songwriting puts me in. my favorite tracks are St Augustine, Dear Landlord, As I Went Out One Morning, the title track, Wicked Messenger, & I Pity the Poor Immigrant.

[@alanbrown8527]

Thank you for this intriguing exploration into Dylan’s work. I am literally writing this comment after visiting The Bob Dylan Museum in Tulsa Oklahoma. My initial instinct to this reaction is to jump through the screen and strangle Joe but, he did explain himself in an honest direct way and his feelings are his own and that’s the bottom line. The one thing I would add is that this is clearly an album of self reflection, spiritual exploration and deconstruction. The whole of the album seems to take to task the previous “Dylan Persona” pre-accident. This is a new spiritual Dylan rejecting the negative, anarchistic, cynical Dylan of before. He is now the thief telling the joker “Let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late”. He is also chastising the poor immigrant, the drifter, the lonesome hobo and the wicked messenger etc. If this album comes off as a bit austere it’s only because that is exactly what it is supposed to be. It is only after the line “If you cannot bring good news, then don’t bring any” that he launches into two positive upbeat country love songs and doesn’t give up that vibe for several years much to the chagrin of many of his fan base. This is an album that is so important in the Devlopment of this young artist that it should transcend the way a music record is typically reviewed.

[@jamesegan2742]

Excellent commentary, well done! Thanks, JPE

[@kenkaplan3654]

Trenchant commentary. I said many of these things too, but you expressed them quite well.

[@StevenMichals0812]

This is easily a top 10 Dylan album for me. The story telling, the lyrics and the simplicity of the songs always transport to some earlier time in history. I first listened to the album in 1970 when I was 10 and just starting to listen to albums. it made a big impression on me, so it's always been a favorite.

[@Yakaru1]

I first heard this album 20 years ago and quite liked it, though was also surprised and baffled by it. It somehow seemed like a failure or a let down, given what preceded it. But after listening to it again over the last few days, I think it's an extraordinary album -- timeless and with a unique sound, and an extraordinary depth and unity, and I'm surprised how many ear-worms are in it. Not everyone was irritated by the too loud harmonica -- Neil Young has spent his entire career trying to emulate it exactly! And same for All Along the Watchtower -- If you can find a live acoustic version of Crime in City, Neil manages to get that same driving intensity just with acoustic guitar. (As life long fan, I always notice it when he so clearly achieves something while trying to emulate Bob!) The song writing is like an introspective version of Times they are a-changing (album), directed at himself and god-like he status he had achieved. He's dismantling the fake self his fame had produced. (Or the "immigrant" who shows up and takes over his life and pretends to be him.) And for all the biblical references, not many quasi-religious albums reference Tom Paine (the great critic of religion). It's such a weird dream sequence-like song, but it all sounds so normal. Dear Landlord is a great Lennon McCartney song. I had been wondering if this album could have been made better if he'd done Watchtower electric and made a few songs a bit more poppy like BoB. But it would have destroyed the introspective quietness around it. I really think this is a timeless album. (And the harmonica isn't so bad with the treble turned down. I listened to it a few times while the neighbour's little doggie was here chewing bones, and she (the dog) wasn't bothered by it and didn't start howling!) Thanks so much for digging this album out of my subconscious for me, after all these years! Great series, and brave to take on such a challenge. I also commit to going step by step through all those Dylan albums I've so far avoided.

[@mattjohn4731]

Very glad you mentioned Jefferson Airplane! While they and the Doors both had references to revolution, the Airplane had deeper understanding of politics and counter culture in my opinion. Best songs Mexico, Rejoice, Martha, Crown Of Creation, We Can Be Together, Lawman, Lather, Have You Seen The Saucers, Wooden Ships, Triad, 3/5 Mile, White Rabbit, Somebody To Love, Uncle Sam Blues, Hey Frederick, Eskimo Blue Day, Today etc ✌️🕊️☮️🌞🍄

[@sonicyouth29]

Its a fantastic album.. its Dylan. Been grooving on Lonesome Hobo lately.

[@gibsona01]

The harmonica is MUCH less shrill on the mono version

[@MikeVernonProd]

Yes! As well as the original CD release of the stereo mix (from 1988)! The issue is the disastrous 2003 remaster which for some unknown reason, has become the default version!

[@Cpayne30]

@@MikeVernonProdThe original CD is also a remix. But it definitely sounds great!

[@TroubadourAtHeart]

One thing about Dylan songs and/or albums is that how you feel about them over time can change radically. Age has a way of giving new perspectives on Bob's art - which is a testimony to it's depth and dimension. I've learned to revisit Bob albums that I haven't liked as much after some time has passed. Most of the time I am well rewarded by doing this.

[@tomhenninger4153]

Thanks guys - I LOVE Dylan. Huge fan! This album is not one of my favs of his. The harmonica is a little obnoxious. The songs seems clunky somehow. Hahaha! My favs! Blood Freewheelin' Blonde Hwy 61 Bring Back Home Hard Rain

[@oppothumbs1]

I wasn't notified. John Wesley Harden. This album is OK. Stick to your guns Joe. There were two really good songs. The record has the great "All Along the Watchtower," which was great even before Jimi. Dylan said, "It's Jimi's song; I just wrote it." Another good song is "I Went Out One Morning," which has good suspense in the lyrics and music. "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" is pretty good, but let's not call it a masterpiece. Maybe a better title is "I'll be your bottle tonight." It's a sweet-talking song that could be a lullaby for a baby. But I think Bob is sweetly luring some woman with a bottle for a one-night stand. If the relationship lasts, maybe this song is a prologue to a nasty song that will tear this lady to shreds after they break up. That's Dylan for ya. She takes just like a bottle, yes she does.. Look, a lame album only gets you my silly lame humor.

[@AnnoyingCritic-is7rp]

I think Dylan was trying to run away from his crazy fans. Certainly playing Judas was just the beginning. It's what makes Dylan interesting. You don't like one set of 3 albums, just go the next. There are some great songs here.

[@martinlarsson5254]

I like this lo-fi Dylan record a lot! But my vinyl copy is in bad condition so I don't play it as often as his other records. 😊

[@danielpattison3422]

I agree with Joe on this one. Love Dylan and his music but during the post Blonde on Blonde third era (John Wesley Harding through to Desire)... John Wesley Harding just doesn't resonate to me as much as the others. Agree in that Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest is long, aimless and boring. Like Harding through Watchtower, Drifter's escape, Down along the cove and especially "I'll be your baby tonight. It truly says alot about that song's quality and longevity when 20 years later UB40 and Robert Palmer duetted on their version of it and made it a hit. But for me i just don't really go back on it and after going through the discography again a couple years ago, a new love and appreciation for Nashville Skyline and especially Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid soundtrack was made. Note: For Self Portrait, I really enjoyed going through through the bootleg sessions for that album first, take that all in and then go to Self Portrait to get the full picture.

[@keithulrich1235]

I was also looking forward to this one because John Wesley Harding is one of my favorite Dylan albums. For me, it was my first exposure to what would be called Country Rock and now Americana. The lyrics on this album are fantastic, especially All Along The Watch Tower and Dear Landlord. I couldn't disagree more with your assessment of The Ballad Of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest. I love the playfulness in the lyrics and the last four lines will stick with me forever!

[@MikeVernonProd]

Joe misses the point of John Wesley Harding. When he speaks about the album lacking “variety” in song craft and instrumentation, the reason I believe The Band declined to add overdubs to the record: John Wesley Harding has a singular purpose, to transport the listener back in time. The use of “Ye” in I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine, the retelling of an old cowboy story in the title track John Wesley Harding, the Biblically-inspired verses of All Along The Watchtower, the mention of the American Revolutionary Tom Paine in “As I Went Out One Morning”. All of these references (and countless others) seek to remind the listener of this distant but not yet forgotten past. It is not just the sparse instrumentation that was a rejection of the crazed psychedelic summer of love, it was the content of Dylan’s lyrics that most purposefully rejected the excess of the period. He was trying to remind the culture of the dangers of revolutionary “year one” thought by writing songs imbued with the lessons and morals of the past. So from this perspective, I think a much greater appreciation of the album can be achieved. Along with the fact that these are great, heartfelt songs sung with passion and vigour. Just take a listen to how Dylan sings “I Pity The Poor Immigrant” and uses his harmonica to echo the sad weariness of his vocal perfectly. I consider John Wesley Harding to be just as strong as Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61, and perhaps from a lyrical perspective, even stronger. Five Stars.

[@AnnoyingCritic-is7rp]

Immigrant is fantastic.

[@mattfreitas5]

Dunno. Love this album. Thought Joe would be pleasantly surprised at the about face. It’s remarkable in its unremarkable-ness if that makes sense and to me that’s its charm. Not my fav in the catalog but likely in my top 10.

[@TomCwimpRock]

John Wesley Harding has always been my favorite Dylan album, subjectivity aside I’m surprised to hear such lukewarm reactions to it. Love the songs and performances on it.

[@jeffderwin2330]

I first heard this album some 30 years ago while in high school (and beginning my Dylan obsession). Borrowed it from the library, and I had a hard time getting into it. Time has been kind, and I rate this extremely high. The lyrics gripped me. The stripped down arrangements suck me in. It doesn't rate among my top 5, but it certainly is a five star album for me (and an important album for Dylan). I do get that it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I do think it is an album that many Dylan lovers cherish.

[@slumdogjay]

I love JWH.

[@PartTimeBuddhist]

For this mild-but-not-hardcore Dylan fan (much like Joe), I love "All Along the Watchtower," "Dear Landlord," and "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight," but I don't really revisit the rest. I'm one of those people who feels that Dylan's "nasal mid-60s" vocal style often doesn't do justice to his compositions (call me crazy), but his vocals on "Dear Landlord" are like my platonic ideal of how I want '60s nasal Dylan to perform a song (as opposed to his Kermit voice, which I strangely love BTW). On "Dear Landlord" he really seems to be bringing it, and he hits about 94% of the notes, and it's a beautifully Band-esque melody to boot. When a Dylan fan accuses me of not liking Dylan's voice, I say, "Well yeah, but ... 'Dear Landlord.'"

[@MarkusKamau]

A solid record necessary for Dylan’s development. Great songs and minimalistic. But too stripped back for me.

[@reginaldcampos5762]

I've never listened to it until last week. I didn't care much for it, but if every song was like All Along the Watchtower in quality, then it'd probably be my favorite Dylan album.

[@kenkaplan3654]

Addendum-I just listened to Mira Billot's version of "As I Went Out One Morning" for "I'm not there". I think if Dylan had been in a space to apply astute musical backup to JWH, as he did with Blood on the Tracks, the songs would have been fleshed out more and it would have been a better, perhaps much better album. The lyrics are pretty cryptic and more music would have heightened their mood. Her version brings out echoes of Tam Lin and Matty Groves by Fairport. It took Hendrix to enlighten Dylan to the rock possibilities of Watchtower.

[@michaelstokes919]

Dylan's version of " All along the watchtower" beats the Hendrix version imo. There's something about the sparse arrangement, piercing harmonica and vocal delivery that give it this haunting, uncanny feeling. It almost feels like you're there and you sense that something's bad is coming .

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Listen, it doesn’t. I’ll allow a lot of crazy talk in the comments. But this goes too far. - Joe

[@painless465]

@@TastesLikeMusicwhat about Brewer & Shipley’s version? Or U2’s? Everyone knows JH version of Watchtower, but I wonder how many heard his version of Drifter’s Escape? Pretty good too.

[@MikeVernonProd]

I totally agree with you. I love the Hendrix version, but Dylan has it beat. Putting aside the fact that Hendrix messes up the lyrics, Dylan’s original version actually feels like it is set in a specific time and place in the distant past. The song is so rich in imagery and metaphor that the song takes on a timeless quality. The Hendrix one, on the other hand, has a very 1960s psychedelic rock sound that is of its time. Don’t get me wrong I love that version too, but in a lot of ways it’s just far more dares and obscures the lyrical depth of Dylan’s song.

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

This was an album that grew on me. Not that i ever disliked it, but what makes it great is the simplicity. The songs aren't anything too ambitious or complex, they're almost like simple American short stories. Its one of my top 10 Dylan records.

[@asmundgjystdal4204]

I did guess beforehand that Joe wouldn't really connect to this album and like it. Personally, I love the album, and think it is a 5 star album, but I do understand the criticism, although I love the things Joe doesn't like.

[@ChrisRileyMusicUK]

Good to hear a discussion about this pretty unique Dylan album, and one of my personal favourites of his. I was going through a very hard time as a young man and this record helped me immensely thirty odd years after its release & I put that down to his shift in lyrical approach. I would say it's the best & first post-psychedelic album, which is something he indulged in, at least lyrically on previous albums. I don't like the tune of I Pity The Poor Immigrant as performed here (although I do like the trad tune it's derived from Come A Ye Tramps and Hawkers), but the lyrics on this particular song are so deep it's beautiful and helpful to a young man finding his way in life. This is non-commercial, moral music. Dear Landlord, I hear, is an address to God. How old was he then? 27? Fantastic. The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest is almost light relief, with a few killer lines at the end. The musical accompaniment is great in its minimalism. This is Dylan's first release since Sgt Peppers. If you have the vinyl record, invert it and see if you see a likeness of the Beatles in the bark of the tree on display. As alluded to in your video, the last two songs point the way to the next album. Good songs in themselves, but not as deep as what went before those two tunes. It's a five star, misunderstood album, and many thanks for bringing it to people's attention.

[@imas2pid80it]

I guess taste is a funny thing. I like blonde on Blonde. It was the first dylan album I bought many years ago. But, for some reason, it is my least favorite of his 60s albums. I just don't find the lyrics as moving as the other albums. But I love JWH so much. Way more than most. I love the roots feel to it.

[@ykmgeedee]

I haven't heard 5 Judas albums but 90% their songs better than my fave Frankie? That, Messenger, Drifter, Watchtower fine examples of Bob (and Charlie and Kenny) down in the groove. Album both sepia and black and white. Definitely not Easy5star as with most previous albums but I still get plenty of goosebumps.

[@MikeVernonProd]

One other thing of note, I noticed both Dylan and Joe critique the mastering of the harmonica on the album as too treble-ey. This is only the case on one specific version: the 2003 CD remaster. Unfortunately this also seems to be the default master used by many streaming sites like Spotify. I’m not sure what the team did but that 2003 remaster sounds AWFUL and I would understand why someone listening to it would not like the sound and be turned off on the album. Fortunately John Wesley Harding is not supposed to sound like this!!! Get a copy of the Mono version of the album, the 2013 CD is pretty good, and you’ll find the album sounds much better. But best of all, look for the original 1988 stereo CD which features the stereo mix on the 2003 edition without the awful mastering. The album sounds crisp and clear and I find no issue with the harmonica whatsoever!

[@dylanseveymusic]

While I’m certainly guilty of relying on Spotify more than I’d like to (three jobs and always on the run), I try and make a point to listen to my records and CDs whenever I’m home in the daytime. I’ve got both an original (or close to original) vinyl pressing as well as the 2013 CD; I’ll given them both a spin soon to check, though I seem to remember taking issue with the harmonica on the 2013 CD as well when I would play it in my car. My dad’s got the 1988 CD, I’ll have him check it out as well.

[@suartgilmour4540]

Think Joe said there said he listened to JWH 3 times. I wouldn't comment on any album until I have heard it at least half a dozen times. Especially as JWH is a classic grower. An extremely brave album to come back with after Blonde On Blonde, and in the midst of psychedelia. Deep, meaningful lyrics, supported by understated playing that is completely appropriate. Highly influential too. His last 5 star album, imo until BotTs. Stuart

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I’ve heard JWH probably a dozen times or more and I still think it’s kinda lousy. For sure his worst of the 60’s. Joe need not waste his time listening more. -Jason

[@suartgilmour4540]

@@TastesLikeMusic Jason no offence but I've watched your rankings for REM, Suede, Oasis and other bands and my response has been what the f*ck?? Each to their own but I think you are completely wrong about JWH.

[@tomhenninger4153]

Haha! Love the back n 4th. I honestly don't understand why people like JWH so much, compared to other albums. My guess is the simple production which makes it much more approachable for the average listener. Blonde is musically dense and somewhat chaotic. JWH is pretty straight forward, in comparison to the previous Dylan albums. His harmonic kinda makes it a tough listen for me. anyway... fun discussion!

[@suartgilmour4540]

@@tomhenninger4153 Yeah lol, each to their own. I just take exception to Jason describing JWH as 'kinda lousy.' Music magazines that I've read over the years like Q, Uncut and Mojo always rank it at 4 stars or more. And it's influence on Beatles, Stones, Clapton is well known. Hendrix would cover Drifters Escape as well as AATW. Many other bands covered Dear Landlord and I'll Be Your Baby Tonight. Not bad for an album thats 'kinda lousy.'

[@MikeVernonProd]

@@TastesLikeMusic…that is certainly a take. I can understand preferring the electric trilogy, but in what world is it worse than Another Side or Times They Are A Changin’???

[@danielvysocky2716]

It's definitely my favorite album of his during the 60's, for "Drifter's Escape" alone

[@michaelfendrich1864]

Good analysis. There are great songs on JWH - As I Went Out One Morning is classic - but it is one of the few Dylan albums that I would not consider "go to". I do understand Joe's position, you really like a direction an artist is going and they do a 180 on you. It can be unnerving, but it is admirable when an artist tries new things that they want to do and not milk a formula for all it is worth. But even Dylan's least listened to albums are better than most. Well, that's not quite true, there are a few duds in the discography. This series is definitely defying the odds for me. Often when a series is made, whatever the subject, the series gets repetitive and predictable as the hosts run out of original things to say. Kind of like Bachman Turner Overdrive albums!! Yet this series continues to be fresh, fun and very interesting. The dynamic between Joe and Dylan is really growing and it is obvious you two really enjoy one another's company. Keep it up, this is fantastic.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Thank you!

[@monster900900]

i seem to recall hendrix was going to cover i dreamed i saw st augustine at first ,, but decided it was to personal to dylan ,, i wonder how that would have turned out ,, i think this album does grow on you over time .

[@1rwjwith]

One thing that does throw people off this its DYLAN changing drastically ..remember his last release was Blonde on Blonde..! This record sounds like he started reading the Bible and got more serious, even his voice is totally changed from everything before…it’s understandable it throws people off. John Wesley Harding is like a bare bones , folk almost “ library of congress” collection of parables! It’s not my favorite, in this day and age they would consider this a DEMO record. I do love WATCHTOWER….even this version. Anyway I have no problem with folks not liking Dylan ..a lot of musicians HATE his voice and cannot get past that😁. JWH has no expanded musical palette , makes you wonder what some songs would sound like with Robertson and Hudson putting some flourishes on there! I think Joe may like this one better than NASHVILLE SKYLINE up next…

[@johnlefsky8731]

You might find this interesting. Greil Marcus has a periodic column called Ask Greil and this was an exchange dated January 18, 2024: Are there any other Bob Dylan albums besides Blood On The Tracks and Time Out Of Mind that you would consider to be brought down a little by just one song, but are otherwise solid albums? -BEN MERLISS Interesting question. I’d say that fine as they are, “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” and “Down Along the Cove” from John Wesley Harding really belong on Nashville Skyline.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

That’s probably true they do belong there. However Judas Priest is the bad song here. - Joe

[@johnlefsky8731]

@@TastesLikeMusic I don't find it unlistenable, but that sort of recited story song doesn't always do it for me. I find it more boring than bad. To be sure there will much worse songs, and albums, in the months ahead. There are a trio of mid-80's lps you could probably fold into one slightly extended episode. The again I haven't listened to them since they first came out, so maybe they would sound better now. As far as John Wesley Harding goes, I think it's half an excellent LP. 3 stars is about right.

[@179rich]

"If I wanted to look at some Bible verses" lmao

[@matm4331]

Just think of the stones on this guy...just when he had everyone cheering for more electric rock he gives them JWH! Maybe that context shades it for me but I do love the album. Thanks for the discussion guys!

[@kevinjoseph517]

dylan said the album was not mixed. at all.

[@aidanphr1446]

The video was not black and white. False advertising.

[@siouzsie]

I love the mystery of JWH. I love the songs, his voice and arrangements. I love the sparse arrangement and the very fact that he decided to go in another direction. I loved it from the moment I heard it. BTW, I can’t stand Elton John’s music. 😎

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Congrats on having bad taste! - Joe

[@siouzsie]

@@TastesLikeMusic Haha. I mean Judas Priest and Elton John? Pot calling the kettle! 🤣

[@TastesLikeMusic]

The second best solo artist of the 70s and the second greatest metal band ever… beloved by the people and critics alike… hmm. Gonna have to do better than that. Maybe go with like Queen and Aerosmith next time. - Joe

[@siouzsie]

@@TastesLikeMusic I will counter with Led Zeppelin and Nick Cave. My tastes other than Dylan run to John Coltrane and Captain Beefheart.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

You’re digging a deeper and deeper hole… you need to learn up on what rock artists are okay to make fun of. - Joe

[@randytaylor220]

This record usually takes first time listeners a while. You really need to understand folk, the time it came out (during the height of psychedelia) and Dylan’s personal circumstances for this brilliant album. Dylan proves here that he is more ahead of the game than his contemporaries…”said the joker to the thief.”

[@stefano.b65stef77]

Hi guys, I hope you'll do "Blood on the tracks", which is probably my favourite Bob Dylan album, I like John Wesley Harding, it is underestimated, not in my top 5 but at least in the top 12

[@179rich]

Bass guitar kills on this album.

[@robgronotte1]

My thoughts in general are that the songs are excellent, but the arrangements are too dull and the performances somewhat uninspired. Covers of some of the songs can be amazing. Of course the Hendrix song is the most famous, but everyone should check out the version of Wicked Messenger performed by Patti Smith, it's amazing.

[@kenkaplan3654]

I'm with both of you but with this I am more with Joe. Not only do I never revisit it, but I consider it a semi weak effort, (3 stars, not 2 because there are a few really good songs and one classic). It seems interesting and a little odd that Joe before this series thought this was a template for "quintessential" Dylan. I believe I understand early Dylan and especially the great 3 as well as anyone, but I don't really get this and have never really tried. I do think, as Dylan Sevey says, this is a man struggling with identity, but also not ready to be as personally vulnerable as he had been in the past, especially on Blonde on Blonde. I think Watchtower, although it can be felt as universal, is really about his dilemma with fame. the music industry and fan demands, all written symbolically of course. There seems to be a longing for personal freedom that has not manifested throughout the record. "Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl" Something untamed is (hopefully) coming. What it is, is unknown. Dylan was reading a lot of the Bible at this time, and he was always acutely aware of it,. ("God said to Abraham kill me a son") and the album may reflect a lot of his inner contemplation and conflict at the time. As Sevey says there is a withdrawal from, a refusal about, and probably no inner capacity to continue with the intensity of life and great themes he had been involved with. Surprisingly, this intensity and depth will resurface in Blood on the Tracks, but about personal affairs, not social, cultural and political ones. Thus JWH is very subdued. I do have to say, and this will come up in the Evangelical period, and might seem pretentious, that Bob Dylan *personally*, not as an artist, to ne is one of the most confused people I have ever seen as to what religion and spirituality mean to him, and it is reflected in what has to be a journey that is all over the map, played out in public through his music, and really feels like it provides little self resolution. He doesn't have the answer for everything. In this regard, Cohen, for example, is on much firmer ground.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Joe, I'm with you. Nothing Dylan had recorded prior to this prepared me for this record. There is nothing on this album that draws me in. I've tried a number of times. I wonder what Jimi Hendrix heard in "All Along The Watchtower," not to mention "Drifter's Escape." There are so many words I can use to describe this record that can be viewed as somewhat harsh. I will not use those adjectives here. It's one of the least appealing records he ever recorded for me. There is nothing appealing at all to me. I think "Nashville Skyline" is SOOOO much more enjoyable than John Wesley Harding. Good luck, Joe!

[@kevinjoseph517]

brilliant songwriting...down along the cove is about heroin. read the lyrics of the song.

[@Dex619]

When I say JWH is boring, that is a definitive statement. I thought the first two songs and some others were decent, some I really disliked. I tried listening to it to see what I might be missing. Saint Augustine is so annoying that it chopped it down a peg for me. 2 1/2 stars. Even Dylan commented that it didn't turn out the way he expected. I think we've exhausted this topic. If this discussion lasts any longer it will almost be as boring as JWH.

[@dylanseveymusic]

Okay, well I’ll end my piece of this discussion by wishing you luck in your ongoing quest to comprehend subjectivity and objectivity. I hope you make it there someday.

[@Dex619]

@@dylanseveymusic Well, I have already explained that taste in music is subjective. That doesn’t mean I can’t state my opinion. That’s exactly why I can state my opinion. Your snarky comments show that you’re triggered when someone has an opinion that doesn’t agree with you. Don’t worry I’m not judging you. We just disagree. You seem a bit sensitive about this album for some reason. Since you’re the one having a hard time understanding objective and subjective let me know and I’ll explain them to you.

[@suartgilmour4540]

FAO Jason (if he ever reads this). Im usually not this petty (honest). However in a reply to a previous comment i made here, Jason stated John Wesley Harding was 'kinda lousy.' Well last night i read Uncut magazine, special edition: The 500 Greatest Albums Of The 1960s (published 2022). JWH was No.60, and beat 5 Beatles albums to get to that spot. Not bad for an album thats 'kinda lousy.' As said, Jason may never read this, but i feel better, lol. Stuart

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Thanks for the tip. I’ll be sure to never read Uncut. -Jason

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

I like this album a good bit more than Joe does for sure - a 4.5 for me. I enjoy listening to it as well as appreciating at the true genesis (with The Band on the Basement Tapes) of the huge shift in music in '68 to which you all alluded. I would have thought Joe would like FLAJP more than he did just because it literally is where Judas Priest got their name.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Better name than song. - Joe

[@SpaceCattttt]

There are some VERY good songs on this album, and you can argue a lot about whether or not they're served well by the sparse production, but for my money, Dylan is always at his best when he's confident and playful, and this album is not that. It's tired, low-key and bordering on depressed music. Which is fine........when that particular mood takes you.

[@awrogers3013]

….don’t we have an opening…? I like him

[@mostynf]

After the three previous albums this one is a little bit underwhelming, although still a pretty good album in its own right. It feels a bit underpowered compared to what came just before it, a bit “less” in every way - less instrumentation, less punch in the sound, and a shorter running time, just 38 minutes. You have to adjust to Dylan crooning the songs and just doing some straightforward singing, minus all the razor sharp sneer. I miss that edginess. But it’s still good songwriting, for sure.

[@lamarschlabach3933]

If ye cannot bring good news then don't bring any...😉

[@stevemalek2970]

While this album does have some very good songs on it, specifically "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest" and of course "All Along the Watchtower", I don't generally like this album. The co-host Dylan (not Bob!) perfectly nailed it, the harmonica sound on this album ruins it for me. For me the harmonica is not really my favorite instrument, but it can be used effectively to support a song. On this album it feels like the lead instrument and it shouldn't be, hence why to me it fails.

[@MartinLindnerDigital]

the first part of the series that i find slightly disappointing. you should have talked about why some of those minimalistic songs/poems are so good. hendrix cover of All Along the Watchtower doesn't do much for me, out dylan's original is haunting. i think this album has an odd atmosphere of unpersonal abstraction, not really cold, but distant. in its core a poetry concept album: three verses each, a bit mysterious, but not deep. like small prose pieces of kafka (to whom Drifter's Escape is alluding). it is about poetry and atmosphere, like the watchtower song. (the core of the album are all the songs that were mentioned positively, minus the two country songs and the judas priest-ballad which i also don't like, the story is dull, i cannot take it seriously, which is almost never happening to me with dylan's lyrics before 1980.) for me it is the next album that i would have treated this way ...

[@dylanseveymusic]

I had some more notes about the individual songs that I wish I had delved into. Blame me. Don’t blame King Joe, it is my responsibility to lead him.

[@MartinLindnerDigital]

lyrics and atmosphere seems to be generally not his kind of thing 😉 ...

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I liked the atmosphere and lyrics more on Times they are… - Joe

[@MartinLindnerDigital]

@@TastesLikeMusic i understand this, it's a matter of taste (sic), and this album is really a peculiar case. it doesn't appeal easily to people with a more pop-oriented taste. nothing wrong with that, it just means that the conversation is not really getting to the interesting points. no such problems with the next album though 😉.

[@kastastan]

i like the sound of the album overall but the harmonica is far too loud and piercing.

[@stampede4107]

I love Dylan’s voice on every album before this. Not here though. And the songs are dull.

[@maggiebryan2355]

GreT songs on it maybe you Ave to listern to it afew time before the think it's a good album

[@Dex619]

What is a good song or good music is entirely subject. Also, there is nothing disagreeable about giving an opinion. I won't accuse you of being disagreeable because you have a different opinion. You do seem to be protesting too much. Enjoy JWH. It just bored me.

[@dylanseveymusic]

You made some pretty definitive statements in “this album is boring” and “The White Album has a lot of filler and people are not holding The Beatles to a higher standard by arguing in favor of the material on that record.” I’m happy to see that you do, in fact, recognize the subjectivity of it all. I’m not disagreeing with your right to have an opinion, I’m simply disagreeing with your opinions.

[@djtforever1414]

Yeah Joe, this album ain't as good as the previous 3.

[@normhiscock14]

I'm with Joe on this one. It's a very Dylan-y album. I think it suffers only because of what he released before it and what came out around it. Dylan and harmonica, is not my favorite Dylan. I am admittedly not a huge Dylan fan. But there is no denying there is only one Dylan. Lyrically not many come anywhere close to him. I think my favorite Dylan albums are not many others favorite Dylan albums.

[@jamesegan2742]

I find I agree with Mr. Sevey pretty much straight down the line on this one. I respect and enjoy JWH a fair bit, and would give it 4 stars(first non-five star album for my Dylan picks since Another Side, including The Basement Tapes), as it’s not one I go back to often…but I do like it and admire so many individual songs on offer. I’ll Be Your Baby is nice, as Joe says, but very enjoyable, and I Dreamed, Drifter’s Escape and As I Went Out just masterful. And I love the stripped down All Along the Watchtower (no matter what Hendrix did with it, Dylan wrote it!) but as a whole…not my favourite Dylan album…so many, many other great ones. But to have such a quality title in his cannon that is just a step below greatness is amazing. And I also admire Dylan’s bravery and independence here…everyone, including the Stones, were blindly adhering to a craze of psychedelic noise…and here is Dylan, his own man, not at all concerned he might be committing commercial suicide (he didn’t…it went number 2 on the US charts) and forging his own vision and path. That example of integrity and fierce independence is what endears Dylan to us as his fans. What an artist! Thx and best…love the series! Cheers, JPE

[@michaellord9745]

After my first listen to John Wesley Harding, some 40 odd years ago, I did not care for this album. Now, some 40 odd years later, I love this record. Took a while to marinate in it but I eventually got there. I'm a Lonesome Hobo would be my favorite track.

[@spencerdobkin9479]

Same when I first listened to it when I was 13 or 14 did not like it so much now 20+ years later it's one of my favorites by him. It grew so much on me.

[@greigmartin4339]

Yeah it’s not a “canon” Dylan for me either. If it gets a hard time I think it’s the drop off (and it is a drop off) but not that severe from Blonde. It’s a happy and relaxed record but doesn’t have the genius of the first few or the emotional impact of Blood in the Tracks to be up there. Favourite tracks: Drifters Escape, I dreamed I saw St Augustine, I’ll be your baby tonight.

[@jbellinger99]

probably my favorite Dylan album... Yes. "ST Augustine" is one of his greatest lyrics. THANK YOU. I think it touches the wisdom which Dylan often comes near, but rarely acheives with such consistency. It IS an album for the folkies, though. I do agree on the harmonica sound.

[@siouzsie]

One of my favourite albums. The songs are again dense with meaning. Absolutely wonderful writing.

[@Yakaru1]

I think this album is the most graceful and deliberate climb-down from having 'command of the gods' than anyone who ever had that has ever done.

[@hampusheh]

One of my favorites, love Bob's voice, phrasing,love his harmonica playing, love the mystical pared down lyrics

[@jamesbaxterfromax]

I definitely see this album as Bob Dylan trying to write paired back poetry that's not as sprawling, almost Dylan Thomas kind of thing? I don't know. I also love the bass playing. I love the first half and the song drifters escape later on so I enjoy the album when it's cryptic and mysterious, poking at an apocalypse or something but it gets so damn boring with songs like the wicked messenger and I pity the lonesome immigrant. Then again dear landlord has made me cry when I was younger so there's something here but it's never fully worked for me as a whole but love the first half.

[@chriswilson8151]

Interesting take from you both. For me, I had similar feelings on the album having listened to it a handful of times over the last 15 years as a Dylan fan but it did really only just click with me last year as this kind of apocalyptic Christian/Western folk album where figures of the Wild West live in a world tinged by the Biblical. I just like the vibe I suppose. But I agree about the harmonica mixing! Thought I was the only one..

[@davidellis5141]

My favorite version of All Along The Watchtower is the XTC one from their early days when Barry Andrews ( Shriekback ) was in the band. Cool organ & harmonica !

[@stuartmoore1064]

It is a pretty great CD, which has been languishing on my shelf unlistened to for years. You guys have it correct that the bass and drums really propel it along. I also love the Judas and Frankie Lee song, which is sort of the standout for me and the one I remembered the most when I played it the other day. But it's all good, and I sort of like it a little more than those first few albums that are just Bob/guitar/harp and not as fun to listen to for my tastes.

[@thetrevorosborne]

Its an interesting album very sparse some great songs no doubt but have to be in the right mood to listen to it as a whole.

[@Vanessa.P]

I liked it more than Joe when I listened to it but admittedly have gone back to it less than most the albums of the same era since then. I'm sure it will be one that grows for me as time goes on because it definitely seems like that kind of album. I'm really interested to see how Joe responds to Nashville Skyline when revisiting it, hopefully the vocals aren't as much of a deterrent this time!

[@PhilSmithRHR]

This is a great cult album for Dylan fans. It’s not a “Sixties” album. It seems to exist out of time - maybe in the place Greil Marcus called “the old weird America”. It’s not even rock music is it? Okay, not everybody digs it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great work of art. Is it just me, or in terms of the lyrics does it have more in common with his albums of the 2000s rather than his other 60s and 70s stuff? The late music writer, Paul Williams wrote a great review of this album. I’m sure that the sound of the Beatles White album was massively influenced by this record.

[@dylanseveymusic]

I agree with your point about the lyrics having more in common with his 2000’s work. Never would have thought of that, but I can definitely hear it.

[@PhilSmithRHR]

@@dylanseveymusic Glad it’s not just me! It’s not an exact fit but Tweedle Dum And Tweedle Dee characters remind me of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest for example.

[@179rich]

You're right harmonica too loud

[@neiltheblaze]

When this album came out, I was a bit disappointed with it - I missed the electricity, I guess - but it grew on me mostly because of the writing. I'm now quite fond of it. There are actually a lot of Dylan albums that I've gone through that general process, so it's possible you might go through something similar. b/t/w I've always loved the Faces' cover of "Wicked Messenger".

[@dylanseveymusic]

Fantastic cover.

[@xvx5872]

Ya , I don't like this one that much. Yet it's my favorite, shows how much I dislike this singer. Also, if there's one artist that I 'd like to see a ranking of from this channel... that you aint done yet... it would be david lee roth just saying.

[@dtchinacat3973]

John Wesley Harding is a very good album, not Bob's best, but good! Love listening to Frankie Lee and Judas Priest when I've been "Hitting the Sauce" it's Hilarious! I'll be Your Baby Tonight is one of my all time favorite songs; definitely a great Story Telling album!

[@martinhayward3406]

Goodness me! Make Dylan the third TLM person. He articulates music brilliantly, AND he will finally get to hear the Stevie Wonder discography when you get round to it. You know it makes sense.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

We did Stevie a year or 2 ago.

[@martinhayward3406]

​@@TastesLikeMusic Ah. So you did. Kram really liked Hotter Than July. It's all coming back to me now.

[@IrishFootyVlogs]

A Top 5 Dylan record for me and the first Dylan album I ever heard… I think the album is greater than the sum of its parts always have so interesting that the opposite was said here The fire and brimstone comes later on Slow Train Coming Fair points about revisiting the albums etc. I’ve always had that with Dylan, Neil Young and Bowie

[@chillepalmerz]

I wasn’t really into this when I first heard it but it’s grown on me tremendously to the point where it might be in my top 5. Contrary to your opinions, Frankie Lee has always been my favorite track. His spoken delivery is absolutely perfect to me and I never noticed the guitar being out of tune and I still can’t really hear it. Sometimes The last 2 tracks bug me as they’re a little more straight forward and don’t have that classy, mystical pastiche vibe of the rest of it.

[@NRBQLou]

Amazingly bad take, IMO.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It’s okay to be critical about a Bob Dylan record. He’s not going to get mad. Promise. - Joe

[@NRBQLou]

@@TastesLikeMusic agreed. He'd probably get a good laugh out of it

[@painless465]

I read somewhere that Dylan took the first verse of All Along the Watchtower and put it last, as he thought this added something to the song. Is this true if anyone could comment? If you notice, most of the songs on JWH begin with the song title as it’s first lyric.

[@tomhenninger4153]

I saw something about that as well. By an English prof or something. Makes a lot of sense. Songwriters often will change vereses order but this is brilliant!

[@Dex619]

No need to tip toe around it. Compared to his earlier albums, this is boring. When fans really think an artist is great they sometimes cut them a break for their inferior material. A good example are the people that claim the White Album was great, not in spite of the inferior songs, but because of them. Artists like the Beatles and Dylan should be held to a higher standard. Why give an album four stars when you’re not motivated to listen to it?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

With you all the way here except for that white album nonsense. -Jason

[@Dex619]

I'm not sure what you mean by nonsense. I'm sure you will agree that there are a lot of songs on the WA that don't reach the excellence of so much of their material. It's also true that many have defended the WA by saying the poor songs are part of the charm. There is nothing charming about paying for a double album that should have been a single. Or maybe me and George Martin are just spewing nonsense.

[@dylanseveymusic]

I give it four stars because I like-to-love most of the songs, and when I *do* listen to it, I enjoy it quite a bit. Simple as that.

[@dylanseveymusic]

Also, not every album can or should be taken on a per-song basis. I don’t know how likely I am to throw on “Wild Honey Pie” individually on any given day, but when I listen to The White Album, I want to hear it. It’s a listening experience. It’s not overthinking it or having a lower standard.

[@MikeVernonProd]

Everything you said here is highly disagreeable (especially the slight against The White Album). But focusing on John Wesley Harding, the songs are not inferior to Blonde on Blonde, they are in a completely different frame of mind. The songwriting is tighter, more focused, more purposeful. And as a result the storytelling is clearer. The sparse instrumentation also helps in this respect as it is much easier to focus on Dylan’s vocals and lyrics without all the instrumentation cluttering him (which does happen on certain tracks in the electric trilogy like Most Likely You Go Your Way for example). I’m not even necessarily arguing that JWH is better than Blonde on Blonde, but it’s certainly not inferior from a songwriting and songcraft perspective. It’s part of Dylan’s evolution into a more complete songwriter. I rank it among his best because I don’t think he captures such a thematic cohesiveness as well as he does on this album anywhere else.

[@MrUnclesean]

terrible album.... back to almost no bridges, (there's one)...after blonde on blonde having hella.... lyrics far less interesting than earlier... the phoned in lyrics of the basement tapes could be excused I suppose bc they were just fooling about, but there's no excuse for the weak lyrics of JWH...hes Half ass trying for mystery or allusion, , but its not working ...... not to mention, the backing band is perfunctory and middling.... ...

[@dylanseveymusic]

McCoy and Buttrey are anything but perfunctory and middling. I also couldn’t disagree more about the lyrics - the closing couplet of “Frankie Lee and Judas Priest” aside, there’s some top notch stuff here.

[@suartgilmour4540]

Couldnt disagree with you more. JWH is an understated classic imo. Excellent songcraft and lyrics. A deep, mysterious album. It takes a few listens though, to realise the depth and quality of the songs. So I would give it time, if you are willing as its not an immediate album like the electric trilogy.

[@drewhughes9127]

I disagree heavily. It’s not anything near his top 10, tho for me it’s currently at 24 and at an 8/10. It’s got a sounds that is unique and very different from his previous work. And while the harmonica kills me a bit here. The lyrics are what saves this record for me. Idk, each to it’s own. I rather listen to JWH a few more times than hear something weak like Knocked Out Loaded and Tripilcate again. It’s got originality.