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ALBUM REVIEW

BOB DYLAN

BLONDE ON BLONDE

Released - May 16, 1966 , Columbia Records. Produced by Bob Johnston.

Bob Dylan - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Keyboards

With:
Al Kooper - Organ, Guitar, Horn, Keyboards; Bass on Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Robbie Robertson - Guitar
Joe South - Guitar
Kenneth Buttrey - Drums
Wayne Moss - Guitar
Charlie McCoy -- Bass, Guitar, Trumpet; Harmonica on Obviously 5 Believers
Hargus Robbins -  Piano, Keyboard
Jerry Kennedy -  Guitar
Bill Aikins - Keyboards
Henry Strzelecki - Bass; Piano on Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

All songs written by Bob Dylan.

REVIEW

I myself have never been a big Dylan fan. But I'm still a fan and feel he is the greatest lyricist ever. My problem has always been the sound of his voice. Sometimes it sounds cool to me and more times it doesn't. So when I rate a Dylan album I try not to listen too much to the man's singing but to what he is brilliantly saying. The double album Blonde on Blonde is no question a classic and also a masterpiece to devoted fans. I have the same problem with this album that I have with almost all double albums. They contain songs that otherwise would not have made it on to a regular single album. Don't get me wrong, there isn't a bad song on this LP, but leave out my four least favorite songs on this one and then even I would say this is a masterpiece. The best song on this album is one of my all time favorite Dylan numbers, "Just Like A Woman". On this one his voice fits the song just perfect. It's one of those songs that makes you stop what your doing and listen. Sounds as good to me as it did when I first heard it in '66. Next best song is "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35". Everybody called this the "drug song" when it first came out and believed that was all it was about. But the song has a double meaning to it, if you listen to what Bob is singing here it's partly about the fact that no matter who you are or where your are, your gonna get screwed (or stoned) sometime in your life by somebody else. Perhaps the different Bible verses that Dylan was reading at the time about punishment, had something to do with his feelings on this, too. 

I have had people email me and ask just what does it take for a song to get a 10.0 in my ratings. They feel I don't give enough tens out to deserving songs. Perhaps "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" is one of those songs. Hell this tune is almost like Dylan was trying to write a comedy number, not only with the way the lyrics go but in the matter in which he sings it. It hits the spot nicely. There are several other tunes on here that have a wonderful flow to them like "Pledging My Time", "I Want You" and "Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine". Then there are the songs that you got to listen to the lyrics to fully appreciate,  like "Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again", "Visions of Johanna" and "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands".

Overall a great classic album, if not a masterpiece.

- Keno 2000

To listen to some soundclips from BLONDE ON BLONDE or to purchase it, click on any of these links:: Blonde on Blonde

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