Album #16: The Basement Tapes

 Released June 26, 1975


Chronologically, in terms of release dates, this album belongs here, but it was actually recorded eight years earlier, in 1967. Dylan was recovering from his motorcycle accident in Woodstock, NY. He and most of what would soon be The Band (everyone but Levon Helm, who only joined them for a few songs) recorded this in the basement of the rented house called Big Pink. In 1967, Dylan’s previous album was Blonde on Blonde, and his next would be John Wesley Harding. So listening to this in between Blood on the Tracks and Desire is confusing, because by that time Dylan had moved on.

Anyway, this is a really fun collection of songs, recorded in a simple, relaxed way, but sounding surprisingly good. My favorites are “Crash on the Levee” and “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere,” and also “Bessie Smith,” which was written by Danko and Robertson.

You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere:

https://youtu.be/AUtLZPcThwY?si=a-ewuZnZ-b04c6eF

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