Released the year I was born, 1963, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" became the album which best represents a turbulent time in America. Put this cd on, for those of us who spent at least a part of our lives in those stormy years, the album evokes a lot of memories, and a lot of feelings, particularly about the America we could've become before Kennedy fell, before Viet Nam, before King fell, before we lost our innocense. The first track "Blowin' in the Wind" became the anthem of the day, redone and popularized by Peter, Paul, and Mary. Yet the original carries such weight that did not carry over. "Girl from the North Country" is a peaceful sort of ballad, whose lyrics will remind you just briefly of "Scarborough Fair". Here we have Dylan in his acoustical element, just him, his guitar, and harmonica. "Masters of War" could've been directed at the White House, speaking directly to those who would go ahead and approve our nation's involvement in a hopeless war. Bluesy "Down the Highway" is next, perfect in it's simplicity. "Bob Dylan's Blues" starts off with Dylan talking, a bit about the song's origin, "written somewhere down the United States". "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" sees Dylan as the prophet, predicting the dark days to come. "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" is another simple song, but gentler. "Bob Dylan's Dream" is an awesome track, Dylan dreams a dream "concerning myself and the first few friends that I had". Beautiful, and poignant. "Oxford Town" is a country song, about the persecution of a black man. "Talkin' World War III Blues" starts off with Dylan dreaming yet again, "a bad dream", but "only in your head" says the doctor. Just an ambling sort of song, evocative of Arlo Guthrie. "Corrina, Corrina" is a slower sort of love ballad (a soft drum is added to the recording). "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance" is a kind of funny song, but good (once again just Dylan, his guitar, and harmonica). The closer "I Shall Be Free" is a story song, classical Dylan all the way, perhaps a bit more optimistic, which is a nice way to end the album.There's a reason Dylan still registers on the mindset of us Americans who grew up in the 60's. That's because he spoke truth, life and of all those ordinary things. I strongly recommend this album.
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