Album #13: Dylan

Released November 16, 1973



 This is the much-maligned album Columbia released without Dylan’s input or approval, during a time when Dylan was leaving Columbia for Asylum Records. It contains only covers - studio outtakes from “Self Portrait “ and “New Morning,” recorded in either 1969 or 1970.

It got dismal reviews, and I can kind of see why, since there’s no original material, and the choice of tracks is a weird collection of traditional songs, popular numbers and contemporary songs like “Big Yellow Taxi”. There are several songs with a gospel choir who don’t really contribute much. 

I didn’t hate it, but it’s definitely not a top album. My favorite songs were “Lily of the West” and “Spanish is the Loving Tongue,” but there’s a much better version of the latter out there:

https://youtu.be/5BADpfgi2KY?si=_RQMjM6YM8cpoDCu



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