Finding Another Side of Bob Dylan | Discovering Bob Dylan, Ep. 5

[@terrybnad2959]

All credit to Joe, this is a mammoth undertaking and he gives both Dylans due respect. I understand his reservations about Another Side of Bob Dylan. The Freewheelin' sessions spanned an entire year and The Times sessions lasted three months, whereas Another Side was rattled off in one night with a couple of bottles of Beaujolais and sounds like it. However, it is a fabulous snapshot of an artist evolving at breakneck speed who was single-handedly redefining songwriting possibilities. Stick with it Joe!

[@asmundgjystdal4204]

I completely agree with Dylan here, that Another Side is one of Dylan's most underrated albums (for me it is between this one and Planet Waves). I also agree that Dylan's versions always should be prefered over The Byrds' versions, because they have the full set of lyrics and also convey the feeling and mood of the songs in a more profound way. This is a great album, and I even kind of like Ballad in Plain D, which many people dislike.

[@gongandfriends]

I love that song

[@MartinLindnerDigital]

planet waves!

[@xvx5872]

Word.

[@Vanessa.P]

Poor Dylan sounds like an exhausted teacher near the end 😂, great discussion . Next episode should be interesting and scary haha but that's part of the fun.

[@kibblesnbits9146]

The bottle was empty

[@suartgilmour4540]

5 star album imo. About half a dozen classic songs. Saying that i do skip Ballad in Plain D. But even Dylan himself said it was a mistake to record that one. As for the Byrds; no one sings Dylan like Dylan! When they leave out entire verses thats hard for me to get past. Although i do like their 2 Bob covers on Sweetheart Of The Rodeo. Enjoyed the discussion, great stuff, Stuart.

[@paulmanina7522]

I’m scared! BIABH is my entry point to Dylan via ‘Don’t look back’ That film blew me away. Joe please see the light! This is the real deal. Dylan hits like no-one else on the next three. Crazy good. Looking forward / dreading the next episode! Love it.

[@dyl-annfan6]

Dylan said his albums are for the clarity of the lyrics. I believe this, Dylan is really a live performer, I think you need to also listen/watch is live stuff too to appreciate him fully, his delivery and phrasing are amazing, his performs his songs in completely different tempos and he is well known for not performing the same song the same twice. There are some songs I'm not that fond of on the album, but adore the live performances. You can't make someone like something. But once to "get" Dylan there is no one on the planet like him, I feel truly blessed to be part of the Dylan world, he is a one off, unique the likes of whom we will never see again. Keep on keeping on listening folks

[@Bizzle65]

I’m loving this series so thanks for that, Joe. You couldn’t have picked a better foil than Sevey. He manages to articulate almost exactly how I feel about Dylan and his art, in a way that I never could. When he speaks, my inner voice continually shouts “yes, that’s it, that’s IT” Meanwhile, you are perfectly playing the part of so many of my friends and family members who don’t really get it and probably never will. Having said that, I admire your commitment to this project immensely and hope you keep going. Self Portrait should be a blast 😜

[@raymeedc]

I’ve always loved this album, one of my favorites/one of his best.

[@dekafer123]

Wow, the sparks were beginning to fly on this one. There was a sequence where Sevey was dressing down Joe in a way that was not overtly harsh, because he's always very polite, but yet was unmistakably a difference in opinion. I side with Sevey on this one -- Another Side is where Dylan is starting to break free from being perceived as another Pete Seeger or Barry McGuire. He has obviously been listening to the latest rock and roll, and has been wondering to himself why he's beginning to sound like an out-of-touch old folkie. I think it's a question of vitalism -- Dylan was reading poetry and Beatniks, and maybe encountering a lot of boring opinions on the road from people who were taking him too seriously (or squarely), and he was the kind of young man that didn't like being seen like that. So he purposefully attempted to break his usual image and patterns of speech, just to step away from those kinds of crowds. He never stops being entertaining though.

[@ihavenoquarrelwithyou3249]

I don't know if I would agree with the teacher/pupil analogy. What I see is Dylan Sevey being the parent I strive to be. Never losing his cool, listening and responding to the emotional outbursts with reason and patience. So, by the 35-40 minute mark he had mostly turned the conversation around before it completely went off the rails. Very impressive. Not my favorite Bob album but the one that points the way to his greatest works. I am very excited to hear Seven's breakdown of the next run of albums, and yes, even looking forward to Joe's input as the contrarian.

[@ChesterCopperpott02]

Great job guys, love the discovering Bob Dylan series! PS: still waiting for that DMB ranking, come on Joe make it happen ;-)

[@raymeedc]

I love the fact that this album was recorded in one night. Gives it an of a piece live small club performance feel without the audience.

[@claytonkelley4921]

Love that I’m finally able to watch these!

[@PatricksPlaybook]

I mean I understand Joe's points and obviously it's his opinion but I'm with Dylan on this album. Although his next 3 albums are superior in my opinion this is the beginning of the legendary run. Dylan your facial expression in this video is priceless!! When Joe said he didn't think this albums melodies weren't great your face said it all!! I'm so excited for the next 3 reviews!!

[@1feloniouspunk]

Interesting series. This album is my favorite so far, but cool to hear another take on it, as well as a passionate defender begging for reconsideration. LOL

[@jonmcleary4192]

I'm loving these Anticipating favourite albums to come. Fantastic - keep em coming

[@jonmcleary4192]

Planet Waves, Street Legal and the Basement Tapes come to mind

[@raymeedc]

I agree, the best of his acoustic albums in more weighs than one❣️

[@jeffderwin2330]

One could call this album a rock album minus the instrumentation. I do rank it third among his first four acoustic albums, but it is closer to the other two than the self-titled debut. Any album that has "All I Really Want to Do", "Spanish Harlem Incident", "Chimes of Freedom", "My Back Pages, and "It Ain't Me Babe" makes this a great album. My big miss is "Ballad in Plain D" - a song where Dylan claimed he must have been a "schmuck" to write this song. Now - regarding the Byrds...I like them quite a bit. With that said, I agree with Dylan - the guy who wrote the song makes the definitive versions. I know plenty of people who don't like Dylan - they usually cite his singing voice. It's original, expressive, and perfect for his songs. No one sings Dylan better than Dylan - the one guy who knows what they mean. Love this series and curious to see where Joe goes! I'm a huge Dylan fanatic (the original punk rocker) - I've been a fan since high school in the 80s (played them along with my Husker Du and Replacement albums among others). Ranking the first four: Freewheelin' gets a 5 star, so does "The Times They Are a-changin'" (love the social conscience songs). This gets a 4/4.5 rating (but I love it). The self-titled debut gets a 3 but I do listen to it. Lots of great songs not included in albums (the first bootleg series has some great stuff)! Joe and Dylan - look forward to this every week!

[@suartgilmour4540]

Largely agree sir, well said! Stuart

[@PabloReyesVelasco]

'Mama, you've been on my mind' was recorded for this album in this one day session and was finally discarded, even though is one of his greatest songs ever. Another of his beautiful melodies sung with passion and honesty, like 'To Ramona', 'I don't believe you' and 'Spanish Harlem Incident'... and almost all the others in this one. I recommend the live versions on 'Live at Philharmonic Hall 1964'. The duet with Joan Baez of 'Mama you've been on my mind' is glorious.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

I don't blame Joe for thinking this is Bob's least best effort so far. To me, "Another Side of Bob Dylan" is one of the more uneven albums in that initial 1962-1966 period. It's got some of his best material - Chimes of Freedom, My Back Pages, It Aint Me Babe, To Ramona, I Don't Believe You - and some of his weakest material - I Shall Be Free No. 10 and Motorpsycho Nightmare. I remember being SO disappointed by I Shall Be Free No. 10 because "I Shall Be Free" off of Freewheelin' is one of my favorites. Sometimes I love Ballad In Plain D. Sometimes I think it's too much and I just fast forward to the next song. You may find that Bob's albums are only as good as the choices he makes on what he puts on and what he leaves off. He could just as easily have removed "Ballad In Plain D" and put on "Mama You've Been On My Mind" and the early version of "Mr. Tambourine Man." I know, historically, that this record was a huge influence on Pete Townshend and other writers in the mid-60's. Also want to say that I really enjoy this series on your channel.

[@1feloniouspunk]

I like how the Dylan apologist brought up Beatles lyrics, specifically "Lucy in the Sky", as one of the benefits of Dylan's lyrics. But he could have gone further and mentioned tons more artists all the way up to and beyond Nirvana. Basically, Dylan's mid 60s was a watershed moment.

[@sonicpharmacist]

Probably my favorite acoustic Dylan album….or Freewheelin’.

[@mitchellbenefiel4490]

Would love to hear Joe’s and Dylan’s ranking of all of Bob’s albums after this

[@TrekBeatTK]

This was I think my first Dylan album so I love it more than most.

[@billkeon880]

He was doing in lyrics what you get from a drug trip or psychedelic guitar part. Who else did this. It’s amazing you can do this on paper in words. The ability to paint pictures with words is amazing when done well. Even two words like ‘corpse evangelist’ put together (especially in the context of learning history) is vivid. Yet Dylan strings together long sentences with these haunting, painterly words. The next three albums are the best ever done

[@ChazeGeyer]

Clearly recall RS cover with Dylan, Bowie, Hendrix; thought strange then I heard Bowie’s cover of “Like a Rolling Stone” AMAZING

[@stevehoran5595]

This was where Dylan reacts to Beatlemania. It was only a matter of time before he'd "go electric". At the same time the Beatles were under his influence.

[@samhailess]

my personal favourite dylan album for sure

[@alanbrown8527]

It comes down to whether you prefer lyrics over music or the other way around. Dylan is not easy listening, you have to be predisposed to immersing yourself in his poetic expressions and master story telling. If your mind glosses over the lyrical content of a song and is focused on its musicality, then you will miss the beauty and poetics and storytelling that is Bob Dylan. It all depends on what part of a song that our ears tend to hear.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Why not both?

[@stefanredelsteinerexperien5957]

"Another Side Of Bob Dylan" is in my top ten on somedays top 5 favourite dylan albums; this and Freewhelin are my favourite pre-electric albums, and "My Back Pages" is one of my all time favourite Dylan songs. I have a feeling that Planet Waves, Slow Train Coming and to a lesser extent Street Legal will be amongst Joes favourites...

[@hazydavo]

I love that this is 51mins long 👌

[@johnlefsky8731]

Speaking of the Royal Albert Hall Concert, I just heard Cat Power's version of Visions of Johanna on the radio; I loved it. I wonder if Dylan has heard her Royal Albert Hall LP? And speaking of Mickey Jones, I happened upon an episode of Northern Exposure the other day and there he was, playing a biker. I think I knew him as an actor before I knew of his connection to music.

[@stefano.b65stef77]

Hi Joe and Sevey, I'm looking forward to the new episode!

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Tomorrowwww

[@stefano.b65stef77]

@@TastesLikeMusic great, thanks

[@gilesglossop5071]

Newman's fate at the end of the Seinfeld episode "The Bottle Deposit" is surely inspired by "Motorpsycho Nightmare" Love that observation of Dylan (the man in the video that is, who definitely has a look of Rick Danko, how cool is that?) that 'To Ramona' is Shakespeare influenced. It's a magnificent track, a warning of the perils of over conformity hidden behind a beautiful love song.

[@MartinLindnerDigital]

i think it is not about "lyrics vs melody/music". the genius is about the odd strength of his voice(s), his unique powerful phrasing that cannot be separated from "singing" and "music", and cannot be separated either from the words. there are people who get this and there are people who don't. (i always liked the album more than the other acoustic ones, and loved "my back pages" as an anthem from the start when i was 19.)

[@billkeon880]

Good assessment at the end Joe. Let it marinate for a while…it probably will age well.

[@ImNobody487]

Bit off-topic. But over the last few months, I've started a Spotify/Amazon podcast with two of my buddies that basically follows the same format as TLM. Hell, it was inspired by TLM. It's called The Algorythms (yes, that name is a pun). So far, we've covered (in order) Queen, Van Halen, Coldplay, The Clash, Beastie Boys, and Steven Wilson---and just recorded an Algorythms Jr round of Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, and *shrug* Creed (these were selected at random from a wheel). After a small break, Otis Redding and Steely Dan are next. On-topic, I absolutely love Bob Dylan (was my dad's favorite and he put his love of Dylan into me) and that'll be one to cover one day. Good on Joe for finally kinda getting into him.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Love to see it.

[@AP530]

Awesome album. I love the strip down platform but forward pushing lyrics. I love the redpill lyrics of It Aint Me Babe and Dylans version is the best by far. Dylan wasnt sounding like the beach boys or the beatles yet other ppl were trying to get up to Dylans wavelength in this time period. This album is a great bridge between his next albums and earlier work.

[@painless465]

I think I read David Gilmour say that Ballad in Plain D was his favorite Dylan song. It's polarizing,but some people love it

[@IrishFootyVlogs]

The reason why Dylan is the best lyricist is his ability to be versatile in different styles of writing. A bit like a guitarist who is very good at playing blues, jazz, rock etc

[@chrisdelisle3954]

An early prediction - I think Joe's going to really like Nashville Skyline.

[@xvx5872]

Nah, the singing on it isn't good though.

[@glenrotchin5523]

I have to respect anyone who can make any sense of Dylan’s lyrics.

[@jnagarya519]

See his Neport Folk Festival performance of "Chimes of Freedom". Yes -- he actually did it live -- and complete.

[@lane781]

I kind of just want to hear Dylan talk about Dylan. I just started listening to BD a few months ago. I started with Bringing It All Back Home and I love that and the next 2 albums. But, I get why some people just don’t connect. Not sure I see the point in trying to make yourself like something once you’ve given it a good try. Listening to Dylan S convinced me to give the earlier albums a listen , i’m so glad I did. I really liked The Other Side of Bob Dylan, with the exception of a couple of songs.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

The whole point is that I haven’t really given it a good try. - Joe

[@lane781]

Sorry. From listening to you talk, it seemed like you were pretty familiar with his work, more than me who just started anyway. My misunderstanding. This comment is coming from someone who has tried multiple times to tolerate death metal growls, I just can’t🤷‍♀️

[@xvx5872]

If he thinsk dylan isn't good. That's how I feel.@@lane781

[@jnagarya519]

"Consumption" of art is not passive; it is a dialogue between art object and "consumer". "I Am the Walrus" got people talking -- that's better than passivity -- it stimulates imagination, which is -- cautiously -- healthy.

[@spencerdobkin9479]

This album has always been one of my favorite Dylan albums. How he recorded it in a single night always really blew me away. Couldn't disagree more with Joe on this one (shocker!) and agree mostly with Dylan...not a big Byrds guy. There's a magical quality to this album I can't quite hit on. His voice sounds great on it. He really started getting pretty introspective here especially on stuff like It Ain't me Babe, I Don't Believe You and Chimes of Freedom. To Ramona is one of my all time favorite Dylan songs..so beautiful. He wrote Mr. Tambourine Man..around this time which was really the start of a sharp break from the folk movement. Another masterpiece in my opinion and 5 stars for me.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Sorry this one definitely the first time I was disappointed in Dylan. - Joe

[@spencerdobkin9479]

@@TastesLikeMusic You made up for it by liking Bring it all Back Home and Street Legal though! Interested to see if you like the Christian trilogy next.

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

Wonderful discussion, capturing the two broad perspectives on Another Side. Annoyed by Dylan’s Byrds comments, and by Joe’s dismissal of The Byrds’ “Spanish Harlem Incident,” which is better than fine.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Oh I don’t dismiss it. I was being a little casual. I think Mr Tambourine is a 5-star album.

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

@@TastesLikeMusic Get a load of the pathetic anti-Byrds comments below. Simply disgraceful. I don’t know that they invented folk rock, but they were the ones who popularized it. I’ll throw down the gauntlet and say they’re the ones who made Dylan musical.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

@scottanthonyweidner8692 I saw way too many anti-byrdites in these here comments.

[@stephenbellotti2036]

Good discussion!

[@jamesegan2742]

Mr. Sevey is so diplomatic and patient! For me, I think, with respect, that Joe is bringing too much baggage to this review, as he over-likes all the Byrd versions of Dylan’s songs…Joe seems to want to hear a pretty, “complex” melody, the “sound” trumps most everything, including the feel and emotion. One must remember that Dylan is the originator of these songs…The Byrds were just riding on his coattails, which for me diminishes my affection or respect for them. Having said that, Another Side is my least favourite (though still 4 stars) album of Dylan to date. The highs (It Ain’t Me, Chimes, All I Want, My Back Pages, I Don’t Believe You, and especially To Romona….wow, what fantastic songs!) are so much superior to some of the first real Dylan clunkers (I will admit) like I Shall be Free 10 and especially Motorphsyco Nitemare, which is pretty unlistenable. But Mr. Sevey is absolutely correct in describing the highs as masterpieces of lyricism and delivery…Dylan is a masterful singer and player on these, and I love the stripped-down versions of these powerful songs… I want to hear that voice, those lyrics, that commitment laid bare. I do wish he had taken more time, but there is a clear presence here, a brilliant songwriter just wanting to get his songs out there. Really respect and enjoy that. BTW, I am going to see Dylan at Massey Hall here in Toronto next week with my son (we saw him together at Albert Hall in London a few years ago)…looking forward to it, and will let you know what I think. Really enjoying the series, guys, and love the discussion/debate…even if Joe had me rolling my eyes more than usual! Cheers, JPE

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I think the lyrics are mostly good. Performance pretty strong. Musically it’s incredibly lacking. And yes I do love the Byrds, who took a song that hadn’t been released yet and took it to number 1. And also invented folk rock, which probably helped Dylan go electric himself. So there was give and take I’d say. - Joe

[@jamesegan2742]

Fair enough. Thx Joe. Still really respect your take on these things! Cheers, JPE

[@michaelfendrich1864]

Not pigeonholed....now that explains a lot about Bob

[@painless465]

“ I don’t believe you( she acts like we never have met) “ and “ it ain’t me, babe” are two of my favorite in his catalog. But I can see thinking this is a least favorite of the first four

[@elston3153]

For me Dylan is the greatest creator of songs ever, when John Lennon first heard Tangled up in blue, he said, Dylan is several years ahead of us all again.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Should have been listening to Brian Wilson, who was lapping both of them. - Joe

[@elston3153]

@@TastesLikeMusic pet sounds the most overrated album ever , Brian Wilson not worthy to Tie Bob Dylan shoelaces., you can't tell me that Brian Wilson is in the same league as Dylan for songwriting,

[@aidanphr1446]

@@elston3153you have no idea of what you speak. Brian Wilson’s innovations, creativity, and ingenuity in the field of compositions far surpass anything Dylan did. As for lyrics, that’s something else, but your comment is the ultimate example of foolish rockism that has doomed 90% of music critics Bob Dylan could not write Good Vibrations, Surf’s Up, or Cabin Essence in a million years so show some respect to a master or close your mouth

[@50l12]

Looking forward to the Self Portrait episode, I'm warming to that album and can't wait to hear Dylan's defense!

[@thetrevorosborne]

Carnegie Hall 63 Dylan's greatest acoustic show in terms of consistency of performance. A real mystery it wasn't properly showcased as a Bootleg series release.

[@opinion3742]

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats too noble to neglect Deceived me into thinking I had something to protect Good and bad, I define these terms quite clear, no doubt, somehow.....

[@Yakaru1]

I agree with Dylan S. about the great lyrics. I don't think anyone at that time was doing all that weird surrealistic stuff that he's suddenly coming out with. And he's so comfortable with it. Anyone else who tries to write like that can maybe get away with one or two great lines, but it quickly gets annoying. I think the critics who were snooty about him "thinking he's a poet" were expecting him to implode after such a 'self-indulgent experiment', and clearly, (I think) it's a step down from the unparalleled heights of the previous album. But unbelievably, the next few album to come are in many ways even greater than Times. Here, he's obviously not just experimenting, but being carried along by some extraordinary inspiration. Of course the critics were even more shocked and hated the next few albums as well, but here we are 60 years later....

[@Yakaru1]

Yes -- To Ramona is incredible. Listening to it again for the first time in about 20 years, that was the line that struck me too-- the cliffs of your wild cat charms, etc etc. My god.Made me think of Visions of Johanna. He takes a lot of risks lyrically on this album in every single song, and pulls it off spectacularly and easily every time. And infusing it all with that insane mad-cap humour that all the snooty critics who called him a wannabe poet completely missed --- or didn't understand........did they.......Mr Jones...

[@aronpolasek4506]

I consider myself a pretty big Dylan fan, but, I have to admit, I've always had a hard time connecting with "Another Side Of Bob Dylan". There are some really good songs on here, but I tend to prefer either versions on live albums, or covers by other artists. I do really like 'To Ramona' here though. I think that is a really underrated song in his catalog. I listened to the album again a few times last week, which I had not done in several years. I liked it a little more than I ever have before, but there's just something about this one that is difficult for me. Maybe because it feels like a transitional record. Dylan Sevey mentioned the slight changes in his vocal approach from album to album up to this point, and I think that has always been another issue I've had with this one. I like his singing both before and after this album, but the looseness of his vocals on this record have never really hit the mark for me. But the biggest issue I have is that I just don't think this is a very strong set of songs. And I get it...he's trying new things here. Some of those things work better than others for sure. All of that said, songwriting wise, this is the springboard to a string of classics. Personally, I love "Bringing It All Back Home". I love almost every one of those songs. I guess you could say that it is the electric version of "Another Side", but I've never ever thought of it in that context. I think his vocals sound so much cooler on "Bringing It All Back Home", and the songs are far more interesting and memorable to me as well. I can certainly see where Joe is coming from on "Another Side", but not liking/appreciating "Bringing It All Back Home" is wild to me. Really interested for next week to see if his mindset shifts any on that album.

[@jnagarya519]

"Black Crow Blues" is an amazing toss-off. Black crows symbolize, of course, death.

[@raymeedc]

Another Side is pop music? Geez, you learn something new every day.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Sounds like you have a lot to learn.

[@raymeedc]

I ‘m a 73 year old musician and a fan of Dylan’s from the days of his earliest albums. Like any and all other historical events, you had to be there to totally get it, one of the many things you’ll hopefully learn to learn as you become older and wiser.

[@jnagarya519]

The only covers of Dylan songs worthwhile were by Hendrix. McGuinn's singing is so PRECIOUS -- so CALCULATED.

[@WhatsUpFella]

Not to be boring, but I’m definitely with Joe on this record. My Back Pages is actually one of my favorite Byrds songs and I just think it’s significantly better than Dylan’s original version. Generally Dylan’s vocals are at their weakest on this record compared to his other 60’s work. It’s a fine album, but it just never stands out for me. However I probably won’t be agreeing with Joe on Bringing It All Back Home based on his comments about it here-unless he radically changes his mind. That’s hands down my favorite Dylan album besides Blonde on Blonde. Love Minus Zero / No Limit was the song that made me fall in love with his work.

[@IanMcPhersonTIOOS]

There's loss focus on Dylan's poetic gifts here (which is undertandable). Dylan Sevey brings that out a bit in "My Back Pages". Such a powerful song about the evolution and transformation of a philosophical perspective! Easily my favorite of the first 4 albums and a shoe-in for Top 10 Dylan albums. Dylan (Sevey) is very right about that last lyric completely transformating what "Ballad in Plain D" is about. Here's my full review of the album: Marking what was to be a definite break with the protest song phase - most pointedly yet poetically stated in the masterful My Back Pages -, Dylan's fourth and last solo acoustic album (at least until the release of Good As I Been to You in 1992) is also his best. It's amazing that he recorded all of these tracks in a single day, since his performances are so crisp and commanding, but one also feels thereby the spontaneity (i.e. a couple of breaking-into-laughter moments left in) of the endeavour that complements the personal tone of the material. That intimacy is also made manifest in a singing voice that is more "natural", and curiously enough younger sounding than the wisened-before-its-time blues-&-folk-epic gruff voice of the previous albums, as though making concrete the lyric "I was so much older then/I'm younger than that now". Besides My Back Pages and the imposing, synesthetic Chimes of Freedom, perhaps a last "protest" epic though drenched in the quasi-surrealistic impressionism that will mark Dylan's writing in his next phase, most of these songs are relationship songs, but some of the most remarkable in the rock-pop canon - adult, complex, witty, biting, poignant - at least until Dylan returns to the terrain with this much scope in Blonde on Blonde. To Ramona, I Don't Believe You, It Ain't Me Babe, these are all extremely poetically polished, luminously performed, emotionally resonant songs that also carry some of the values - freedom, authenticity/anti-conformism, truthfulness - championed by Dylan in other types of songs in the same period. They show that the personal is political and vice versa, though they never stop from being and feeling like, first and foremost, personal statements and expressions. Ballad in Plain D has often been singled out as a misstep on Dylan's part, an awkward, overly personal and puerile song, but as proto-"Emo" music, I find this is strong stuff, moving despite the sentimentalism, always interestingly phrased and in the end extremely poignant in the heartfelt sorrow that is expressed in the harmonica solos at the end. The album suffers a bit from its inclusion of a mish-mash of different type of material, from the humorous satire of Motorpsycho Nitemare to the not-so humorous and unnecessary free-form improvisation of I Shall Be Free No. 10, or the relatively slight blues that is Black Crow Blues, but those are minor points that don't overly affect the overall powerful effect of the album.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I think this is the classic “for fans only” album that everyone wildly overrates because it often gets overlooked. - Joe

[@gilesglossop5071]

'To Ramona' is one of my favourite of his songs. It's a warning of the perils of over conformity behind a beautiful love song.

[@xvx5872]

Well, interesting.

[@alanbrown8527]

Of course it is not an either or but, a natural tendency towards favoring one or the other. Dylan is incredibly musical and that is huge part of his appeal but, it does require a natural curiosity and effort to really want to follow his art closely. Not everyone is built that way.

[@kibblesnbits9146]

Bob was reading ginsberg, and his beat poet side was coming out

[@shane.b.]

as a big Dylan head I’m off and on with this one. I think it’s got some solid underrated moments like Spanish Harlem Incident, I Don’t Believe You, & Black Crow Blues and I appreciate My Back Pages + Chimes of Freedom but I much prefer later live versions of those songs. the performances on this album don’t always do it for me but of course I appreciate the craft of the songs. I don’t care much for Ballad in Plain D which is a cold take lol.

[@scottmcrae3355]

Joe, could we say you are the Bob Villain?😜

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Yes, please. - Joe

[@thetrevorosborne]

joe you might like Dylan live rearrangements of It Aint Me Babe (Rolling Thunder tour 1975) and AllI Really Want To Do (live Budokhan 1978) different melodies to the originals

[@billkeon880]

Every single album he was trying to change something in his music. If you’re not busy being born, you’re busy dying.

[@Yakaru1]

I think Joe is wrong about Dylan trying to be profound with all these surreal lyrics. I think he opened up vast new territory in song writing. As far as I know, no one else was writing like that in 1964. The great American poet Kenneth Rexroth said of Dylan that he had managed to do what Rexroth and a heap of other poets had tried and failed to do -- to fuse jazz with poetry. Rexroth (aged 60) said he'd been trying his whole life to do that, and now "this kid" has come out of nowhere and done it.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Those things are not mutually exclusive at all. I think he was trying to be profound and basically reinvented what you could do in popular music by taking lyrics of the beat generation and merging them with music. - Joe

[@michelewiese48]

@@TastesLikeMusicBeautifully stated. Mark Sandman and Morphine also did this with ease in the 90s: this fusion of beat poet eccentricity and jazzy grooves. Another band tossed into the TLM wishing well.

[@jnagarya519]

Dylan recognized that The Beatles" kicked the door down, so he is moving toward a larger audience. There's much good on this LP -- including the HUMOR. He's usually deadpan.

[@jnagarya519]

His surrealism began with him being called "an amphetamine prick". By the 1965-66 tour he is overamping on the amphetamine on top of massive amounts of weed.

[@maggiebryan2355]

Love bob

[@davidgagen9856]

My Back Pages & Chimes Of Freedom are masterpieces. It Aint Me Babe, To Romona & Spanish Harlem Incident are brilliant. I Dont Believe You is vg. Its a 3 and a half or 4 star album recorded in one night. 2 or 3 fillers. A very underrated album. Important bridge between early protest folk & next album.

[@xvx5872]

I'm trying to find the part in these videos where he mentions, 'bob dylan's dream.' I mean, the song called that. I swear I heard it. Now I can't find it. Joe mentioned it. He said, some problem he has with dylan lyrics, then he said ' like bob dylans dream.' Sorry this was a weird comment. I figured it would be the video freewheeling bob dylan since that album has got that song. But no.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It was probably in reference to Bob Dylan’s 115th dream

[@neiltheblaze]

My main criticism of this album is that it doesn't hang together well. The songs don't flow because they aren't of a consistent enough quality. There's always some "joke" song to interrupt things.

[@Yakaru1]

Ah, that's why I love Dylan Selvey's take on all of this -- I Want You....Yes it's not all the weird lyrics, it's about the chorus. I read a bio of Dylan where the author (I think it was Shelton) was into deeply analysing his lyrics and claimed that Rainy Day Women was *not* about taking drugs, but about getting "metaphorically" stoned. And "I Want You" was an ironic take on "the cliches of love".

[@Yakaru1]

It Aint Me Babe seems to be as much about what his fans were demanding of him as about romantic hopes and expectations.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Could spend years analyzing these things. - Joe

[@jnagarya519]

"The Byrds" were Roger McGuinn and temporary sidemen.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Uh, no.

[@jnagarya519]

@@TastesLikeMusic I was there. Look at their history: Roger McGuinn, and other "members" came and went. I'm 75. And it amazes how much you youngsters, who "discovered" all these people -- generations later -- presume to know more about that era and them than those who were actually there.

[@oppothumbs1]

Another side of Bob Dylan. I think Joe is mostly right about everything on this one. I think the plagiarism by Bob is way down now so I can get off his case. My Back Pages. A really good song 10 - by the Byrds. Again Dylan is greater in my mind because of better cover versions. Maybe the first Anti-Protest Protest song which is an idea I love. A disillusioned Dylan does not see politics in black and white and sees some limitations in the protest movement. Yeah Bob you nailed it. "In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand at the mongrel dogs who teach. Fearing not that I'd become my enemy in the instant that I preach" Sevey makes a good point on these lyrics being very good. I guess Roger's voice is not strong but Bob's voice can annoy. All i really want to Do 6 by the Byrds'. Not a strong melody. Yeah, the Byrds seems smooth and soulless to some but Bob's version is not better because of his off-putting vocals. So my case closed, my case is packed; unless you love the yodeling of Dylan. 4 Cher's version, amazingly, could be the best one. It Ain't Me Babe. A great song by others. 9. Not near The Turtles' at 10 (not a great band but they sort of hit it on this one song) cover which is electric. The guitarist of the Turtles makes one strum of a note sound reverb like a 12-string Rickenbacker. Seriously. But the lyrics hit hard but I prefer more subtle quiet singing than Bobs and a less sparse musical background. Bob - 9 Chimes of Freedom. 7 My preference for the Byrds over Bob demonstrates only my utter disregard and ignorance of authentic plaintive bare-bones folk guitar. It sickens me to see what I've become. I love acoustic not Bob's autistic guitar. Flesh it out some. I Don't Believe You. Never heard it but a cute, catchy song with a sort of swinging melody. Melody is a bit like My Back Pages at times. 7.5 Crow blues. 3 Spanish Harlem incident. 6. I shall be free - 4. Ballad in Plain D - Cruel to be kind in much too much measure. 5 for melody and presentation; I haven't thought about lyrics It's about Dylan's girlfriend before Joan Baez. I think Suze understood and was not mad at Bob for this song. Dylan 20 years later said: "I must have been a real schmuck to write that. I look back at that particular one and say, of all the songs I've written, maybe I could have left that alone." To Ramona. Ramona is "Moans-a-lot" Joan Baez who moans not in Bob's bed but only at the protest rallies. Dylan moves on and says goodbye to Joan and the movement that Bob was tired of 4 Motorpsycho Nightmare. Deadpan political humor with references to Hitchcock's Psycho. Could be seen as a word-spouting forerunner to the great "Subterranean Homesick Blues". 5.

[@peterginger]

Great series. For me, Ballad in plain D, being the last song on the album, left me with a bad taste. But Chimes of Freedom I can listen to forever.

[@gummyb426]

Ballad in Plain D is second last on the album. It Ain't Me Babe is the last track, which I think has gotta be one of the most likeable songs on here.

[@paulayers1111]

Pretty darn sure “Scarborough fair” was released after this album

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It’s a traditional song

[@paulayers1111]

@@TastesLikeMusic didn’t realize that. I wonder if the traditional versions sounds similar because I don’t hear it with the S&G version

[@raymeedc]

This guy doesn’t jive with the unusual setup of so many of Dylan’s best songs songs, that being, unlike most songs, that the repetitive simple tunes follow the form & meter of the lyrics, as opposed to the other way around, and they’re meant to be that way in order not to get in the way or overshadow the lyrics. And if you don’t get or appreciate that, especially so if you’re not fond of the lyrics in the first place, it’s no wonder he isn’t your cup of tea. That being the case, you’re going to absolutely cringe at the next three, three of the best and most influential albums in Rock history.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I like the lyrics a lot in most cases. But I need both music and lyrics to truly love something. - Joe

[@raymeedc]

I agree, but for me the music is just the proper fit, more so as you delve into the first 3 electric albums.

[@IanMcPhersonTIOOS]

Joe's gonna have a hard time with Desolation Row! 11 minutes of unrelenting surrealistic imagery... :D

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I’m scared

[@IanMcPhersonTIOOS]

@@TastesLikeMusic You should be! 10 verses (?), no choruses, no middle eights. Your complete nightmare. :D Which actually fits the song, since it's "about" this complete nightmare absurdist apocalypse!

[@danieldaniel2]

😱🔥🎸

[@painless465]

BIABH>>Another Side I think it’s one of his best

[@davidgagen9856]

Joe....hes moving away from all that stuff and painting poetic landscapes...thats why he becomes the artist he is instead of stuck in the protest crowd expectations. Instead of breaking from them in one swing of the axe, this album is the chisel that chips at the surface, now get ready for the shattering!

[@TroubadourAtHeart]

I've been a huge Dylan fan since the early 70s. Another Side is also probably one of my least favorite records of Dylan's - sonically I find it somewhat unpleasant to listen to. Some great lyrics of course but just not an album I pick out an listen to very often.

[@jnagarya519]

Johnny Cash couldn't carry a tune with a bucket, a suitcase, a dump truck, a tin whistle, a paper cup.

[@billkeon880]

Some of his lyrics here seem a bit forced on a number of songs (Rita, La Dolce Vita and many others) and though sometimes for humour’s sake, often are just clunky. I agree with Joe a bit on the songwriting, but the power and authority of his singing on My Back Pages and others is awesome. I Don’t Believe You though sounds like he’s a puzzled naive lover, whereas the Albert Hall version sounds like he’s strafing the room with venomous vitriolic revenge. That live album contains some of the best vocals ever on record.

[@robforzese5496]

To Ramona is one of my personal favorite Dylan songs… however this album overall isn’t one of his best from the 60’s….. I give 3.5 out of 5. Good Review Guys!!

[@IanMcPhersonTIOOS]

To appreciate Dylan's lyrics for this period (Another Side to Highway 61), one really has to study them, as you would literature. And it helps to do reading specifically about that otherwise it's understandable that it comes off as "nonsense" - which it absolutely is not. All the words have a reason for being there. It's an ambitious read by Michael Grey's Song and Dance Man 3 will do the job.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I think you people take Dylan a little too seriously.

[@IanMcPhersonTIOOS]

@@TastesLikeMusic :D Disagree. But it's fun following your journey and doing this deep dive!

[@aidanphr1446]

@@TastesLikeMusiclmfaooooooo

[@mintzmia]

Dylan Villain

[@stevehoran5595]

"dude hates bridges more than Julius Caesar." LOL! Joe's take, here, bodes ill for the future. For what it's worth, at least two songs on Blonde On Blonde (I Want You & Just Like A Woman) actually have verse, chorus, AND bridge. The trifecta! I agree with Dylan that My Back Pages and It Ain't Me Babe are very good songs. But I'd rather listen to the Byrds and Turtles do their versions, respectively. My Back Pages is about his disavowal of the protest singer thing and I wonder if it's Dylan moving towards pop or if it's his bitterness about Suze Rotolo and her left-wing background...? A scene in which he could not fit and he believed it was time to quit. Damn, I don't even like the guy and here I am speculating about this stuff... Love the shout out to Royal Jelly! Long Live Dewey Cox!

[@thetrevorosborne]

BLONDE ON BLONDE has 5 songs with bridges its a album full of classic lyricism and accessible melodies

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Which is why it’s my favorite. - Joe

[@MemphianSounds]

Just starting this. Another Side Of is my favorite Dylan album. Don't let me down Joe Update: Oh...no, no, no, no...no.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Don’t watch 😭

[@MarkusKamau]

It’s impossible to convert a Bob Dylan skeptic into a fan. Never try.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

They have to learn it naturally

[@terrybnad2959]

I was a Dylan convert myself so never say never!

[@painless465]

This is so not true

[@MultiStats]

Now remember I'm a Bob fan. "All I Want To Do" is a bad song anyway, but Bob just ruins it on the album. It sounds like he's drunk and doesn't care about his own song. It is odd to hear it. I'm sure he meant it as a sarcastic joke. I'm not sure why the Byrds took an interest in this song. I agree about Roger McGuinn as a vocalist. It seems like he's trying to sound like a stoner. To me, that is a Dylan song that is a stinker. "Ballad in Plain D"--yeah, that is not a good song. The rest of the album is memorable Dylan. Joe, you're trying to appreciate the music, and I give you a lot of credit for doing that. Keep expressing your opinions. Some Dylan fans are mean. They can't tolerate even the mildest criticism of Bob, and that is ridiculous.

[@IrishFootyVlogs]

I like it, some feel it’s a bit jarring. I would still give it 4/5 though. Thats how much I rate the 60s stuff It’s better than what Joe says but not as good as what Dylan says He’s clearly taking the piss on this album and pointing out that he’s moving away from the protest scene Dylan’s humour has always being underrated I don’t really like “All I really want to do” either tbf “Ballad In Plain D” one of his worse songs I think some of the Byrds versions or Dylan are too sugary though and I do like the Byrds Dylan is a better singer than McGuinn without a doubt. He’s too soft

[@TastesLikeMusic]

McGuinn is a much better country singer though. - Joe

[@jnagarya519]

Dylan had a contrarian streak -- he did at times like to IRRITATE.

[@Baron-Larrey]

I have always hated the Byrds when it comes to covering Dylan, they give off the vibes of a souless pop band that manages to disguise how bland they are with nice arrangements. Another Side is indeed very underrated, not a masterpiece or anything but there are plenty of standout moments, sorta like the calm before the storm because the electric triology comes next, 3 masterpieces that changed popular music forever.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

The guys invented folk rock but go on. - Joe

[@aidanphr1446]

Total nonsense. The byrds improved almost all of the dylan songs they covered

[@Baron-Larrey]

@@aidanphr1446 In your dreams

[@allanelliot9234]

I can't stand the Byrds singing Dylan, they sound like an experiment to turn Dylan songs into sugary pop music with little regard to the lyrics.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

@allanelliot9234 they invented folk rock