Bob Dylan
John Wesley Harding - CBS 1968
Tracks:
1. Shuffle Your Feet / 2. Howl / 3. Devil's Waitin' / 4. Ain't no Easy Way / 5. Still Suspicion Holds You Tight / 6. Fault Line / 7. Promise / 8. Weight of the World / 9. Restless Sinner / 10. Gospel Song / 11. Complicated Situation / 12. Sympathetic Noose / 13. The Line
Comments:
"John Wesley Harding" from 1968 is one of Dylan's great albums; of which there are quite many. The album is the sequel to the landmark and legendary double album "Blonde on Blonde" from 1966. If you should have hopes of finding a Dylan in the same ball street, you will easily be disappointed with "John Wesley Harding". The album is in many ways substantially different from its predecessor. A motorcycle accident in July 1966 Dylan put his career on standby for a period of time and he had time to rethink his situation, which up to the accident had been very hectic. This hiatus should influence his subsequent music; and not least "John Wesley Harding".
Compared to the predecessor there is not much rock’n roll but instead country/folk with songs sparsely instrumented. Dylan's voice has also changed; a little deeper and less scratchy.
Many of the songs are textually ambiguous and several of the lyrics ccould be labelled allegories. There are religious and philosophical undertones in many of them, and of actual love songs there is probably only, namely the fine "I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight".
Melodically the album is great and the fine tunes perfectly match the well written lyrics. It is very enjoyable album and the songs are generally melodic and singable.
There is thus no reason to emphasize individual songs, as all are fine; however, I want to attach a few comments to some of them.
The title track is a catchy country / folk song about an old outlaw, of whom Dylan probably draws a slightly nicer picture than history can warrant.
"As I Went Out One Morning" has roots in the British folk, and textually it’s a story for a little wonder and reflection. Also the subdued "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine ”is a song that must be open to interpretation. The most mysterious, though, must be the story of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest, which is more told than actually sung by Dylan; also it is the album's longest track.
There is a small handful of slightly less significant numbers that, without being weak or boring, just don't settle quickly into memory. In that category I will put "Drifter's Escape", "I Pity the Poor Immigrant" and "Wicked Messenger".
"Dear Landlord" differs somewhat melodically from the other tracks and may not really be called neither country or folk; perhaps musically more like a pop-ballad." I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight" is a great and melodic pop lovesong.
Should I pick out a single slightly pale track, it would be "Down Along the Cove", a rather ordinary blues in a slightly funky beat.
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