This is an old revision of this page, as edited by PetSounds (talk | contribs) at 04:06, 15 July 2005 (restoring improved article). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 04:06, 15 July 2005 by PetSounds (talk | contribs) (restoring improved article)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)John Wesley Harding | ||
---|---|---|
LP by Bob Dylan | ||
Released | January 8, 1968 | |
Recorded | October 1967 | |
Genre | Folk rock | |
Length | 38 min 55 sec | |
Record label | Columbia Records | |
Producer | Bob Johnston | |
Professional reviews | ||
Allmusic.com | link | |
Rolling Stone (Feb. 24/1968) | link | |
Bob Dylan Chronology | ||
Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits (1967) |
John Wesley Harding (1968) |
Nashville Skyline (1969) |
John Wesley Harding is a folk rock album by Bob Dylan, produced by Bob Johnston and released in 1968 (see 1968 in music). The album is considered a return for Dylan to his folk and country roots, as opposed to the wild ambition of his three previous albums. It is Dylan's seventh studio album and his first since his motorcycle accident in 1966.
After spending several months recovering and spending time with his young family, Dylan involved himself with members of The Hawks, his backing group during the 1965-66 tour (and soon to be remamed The Band). Together they spent the summer recording loads of new songs, many of which would feature on 1975's The Basement Tapes, and on The Band's 1968 debut Music From Big Pink.
After ending their sessions, Bob Dylan had another batch of songs ready for recording, and cut John Wesley Harding that October, with much simplified arrangements and instrumentation, reflecting Dylan's low-key, relaxed state of mind at the time.
Upon its release, John Wesley Harding was a very successful comeback album, giving Dylan a then-career best #2 in the US, and spending a startling 13 weeks at #1 in the UK. Of all its songs, perhaps "All Along The Watchtower" is the best known, having been covered by U2 and, in arguably its best version, The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
John Wesley Harding was voted in 2004 as number 301 on the List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Track listing
All songs written by Bob Dylan.
- "John Wesley Harding" - 2:58
- "As I Went Out One Morning" - 2:49
- "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" - 3:53
- "All Along the Watchtower" - 2:31
- "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest" - 5:35
- "Drifter's Escape" - 2:52
- "Dear Landlord" - 3:16
- "I Am a Lonesome Hobo" - 3:19
- "I Pity the Poor Immigrant" - 4:12
- "The Wicked Messenger" - 2:02
- "Down Along the Cove" - 2:23
- "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" - 2:34
Personnel
- Bob Dylan - Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals
- Pete Drake - Guitar
- Charlie Bragg - Engineer
- Kenneth A. Buttrey - Drums
- Bob Johnston - Producer
- Charlie McCoy - Bass