This seventy-year-old fella has gladdened our hearts and ears with five decades worth of amazing music. It's difficult to really narrow down a list of his best albums, because honestly, your favorite album depends on what music of his you like the best. But below are the classics we love that give a true taste of his complete and utter awesomeness. Happy birthday, man.
5. Dylan & the Dead Released in 1989, this collaborative awesomeness pairs Bob Dylan with the Grateful Dead. Although we feel seven songs doesn't come close to giving us the climax we so desperately crave, it still gave us amazing stuff like "Joey" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." All of the songs were written and sung by Dylan, while the Dead rocked out in the back. We aren't going to lie, it's not a favorite among some fans, but we appreciate when musicians take chances, and in a decade where George Michael and The Go-Go's were topping charts, we think this was a nice reprieve from all that pop bullshit.
4. Bob Dylan Dylan's 1962 debut album didn't receive critical acclaim, but we love and appreciate the raw, young edge this album has. It's clear upon the first listen that Dylan was completely immersed in the folk scene, but it doesn't have that cheesy flower-in-your-hair feel. Dylan's "Song to Woody" (about Woody Guthrie) is simple; one man and a guitar is sometimes just what we need in a modern world of synthesizers, million dollar dancers and light shows.
3. Blonde on Blonde "Blonde on Blonde" was Dylan's seventh studio album. Released in 1966, it holds such musical gems as "Just Like a Woman," "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box-Hat" and "I Want You." Recorded in Nashville, the album is definitely harmonica-heavy, and we like it that way. We admire this album because it's rumored to be one of his most difficult ones to record. Plagued by writers block and turmoil with various band members that contributed to the album, the listen definitely reflects a struggle, but still gives us that classic Bob Dylan sound we love.
2. The Basement Tapes Although this album was released in 1975, it was recorded in and around Woodstock, New York in 1967. A lot of the songs were released on bootleg albums over this time period, but this was the first release of all of them in one collection. We can't get enough of this album because the sixteen songs have a different feeling than the folksy music Dylan had been releasing. He was taking chances and spinning things -- the album gives us a live look into the collaborations and inner workings of Dylan (backed by the band The Hawks). Just take a look at the cover of the album; its eclectic mix of people gives you a sense of what you will feel like after hearing it, and if after listening you don't crave a Mrs. Henry t-shirt, you should probably just stop listening to music all together.
1. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan We aren't only in love with this kick ass album cover (featuring he and his then girlfriend Suze Rotolo), but also with every single song on this 1963 release. Songs like: "Blowin in the Wind," "Down the Highway," "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall," and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" are just a few of the treasures you will find on this record. It's full of politically charged messages and the juxtaposition found in Dylan's mixture of disappointment and hope provides his listeners with nothing but glee. It's a record chalked full of emotion and it truly takes us through the political and emotional climate of not only Dylan, but America. We suggest this for first time listeners. It you hate it? You hate music. Seriously.
