Everything ends but at least we're going out on a high note
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
This thread started off to discuss the best Dylan album for RA to buy on audiophile vinyl. I guess this one has as good a claim as any. I've listened to a lot of Dylan this summer from throughout his career. Although almost every record has its charms I think I agree with the conventional wisdom about peak-Dylan. The two albums he made in the year between going electric and his motorcycle crash are about as good as rock 'n roll gets.
It's really hard to choose between Blonde on Blonde and Highway 61 Revisited but unless you're paying silly money for special pressings, you really don't have to. The obvious thing Blonde on Blonde has going for it is it's a double album (more music, more music, more music). It has 36% more songs and is 41% longer than Highway 61 Revisited. But basic old school analytics don't tell the story. Blonde on Blonde was (mostly) recorded in Nashville with local session men and seems to have a more laid back vibe. The rhythm section swings away and there are some very interesting guitar parts such as "Absolutely Sweet Marie". The best known track on Blonde on Blonde is one of Dylan's silliest, "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35". There's nothing as epic here as "Desolation Row" or "Like A Rolling Stone". The long closing number "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" is probably my favorite Dylan song over ten minutes in length, which if you've followed this thread is damning with faint praise.
The playlist wraps tonight as well. I've consciously avoided the most famous songs but there's no way I can pass
Visions of Johanna over. It's one of Dylan's greatest which is to say it's one of the greatest; sheer brilliance that keeps moving the bar higher with every verse. It's a song I've loved for almost forty years. Every mix needs some rockers so I'm moving down the line with
Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat. There are certainly better songs on the album but it's Dylan having some lascivious fun. Besides, Mrs. Eephus had a leopard print hat when we first starting dating. It was somewhere between a pillbox hat and a beret. Thankfully, her dog chewed on it or she'd still have it today. That was our first dog together although I just came in at the end.
With the death of Robert Hunter yesterday, I reviewed my impressions of two records where he worked with Dylan. There actually were three but I still remember Tempest. Boz and I listened to Together Through Life early on in the project in June when Bosley was still going up and down the back steps by himself. His condition has definitely deteriorated since then. He's less steady on his feet and he gets confused by stairs. I have to help him either by leading him down or supporting him up. When I bathed him earlier in the week, I was struck by how small and frail he is under his fur. He's been having some trouble standing while eating his dog food. His hind legs slide out from under him on the kitchen floor and he ends up eating while lying on his side. I bought a rubber mat for him today that he can stand on while eating and drinking. It seemed to help since his usual kibble debris field was non-existent tonight.
Thanks to Rockaction for letting me barge in on his thread and for keeping things organized. It made things much easier when I was looking for the Dylan/Hunter records yesterday. I don't start many threads here and wouldn't have thought to begin one with Dylan and Bosley but I'm happy with the way things turned out. There were some albums I'll probably never listen to again but great or good or less good, Dylan always offers something provocative. Thanks to Dylan of course and the many talented musicians who've graced his records. Dylan has always had exceptional taste when choosing sidemen and I guess you have to be special to keep up with the way he typically records his songs. Finally, thanks to my pal Bosley for never getting too far ahead or behind me.
If you made it this far, here's one final plug for the playlist. I'm biased but I think it's a better career-spanning survey than Spotify's This is Bob Dylan and it's two hours shorter too. My list will probably make me cry someday but will always remind me of the road of life with Bosley.