Bob Dylan: Bringin It All Back Home (1965) by: sydburnz
Bob Dylan: Bringin It All Back Home (1965)
Early 1965 found Bob Dylan leaving his folk roots to explore the rock music genre. Many folk purists shunned Dylan for making this leap, but he ultimately gained more respect and followers after this transition. Bringing it All Back Home showcases Dylan at the peak of his lyrical prowess, and now there are more rock instruments added within the record. Before it was just Dylan, his acoustic guitar, and his mouth harp. With this LP, you get a rock ensemble with keyboards, bass, electric guitar, and drums as well. The best part is that the music accentuates Dylan’s truely remarkable lyrics.
The first half of the album showcases the electrified folk that Dylan was starting to perfect. Subterranean Homesick Blues is an early prototype of rap music where the lyrics are a constant barrage of attack on the listener’s ears. Of course his political commentary is abound in this track. One of my favourite lines comes from this track, “You dont need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows…” Dylan also filmed a promotional video for this single (one of his highest charting singles up until that time) that shows himself in front of some ghetto steps tossing cue cards aside while he is singing the lyrics. The australian group, INXS, copied the video down to a tee, by tossing cue cards in their video as well, as a tribute to Dylan.
She Belongs to Me follows the political commentary of Subterranean Homesick Blues with a tender love ballad. Dylan adds a nice touch with some beautiful harp playing. Maggies Farm is a politcally charged track about a working class hero that finally uprises against his oppressive bosses. Love Minus Zero is another tender love ballad with some delicate vocals by Bobby. Dylan isnt the best singer in the world, but he knows how to work it just right. He was an inspiration to many singers to follow who were self-conscious about their own vocal style. John Lennon was one of these uncomfortable fellows who, after listening to the Dylan, didnt mind how he sounded in front of the microphone. All that matters is that it comes from the soul.
The rest of the first half of the album contains some mediocre, but entertaining tracks. If any other artist wrote these tracks, they would be remarkable. But thanks to the other lyrically genius songs on this album, these songs are a lurking in the shadows. Outlaw Blues is a groovin blues track with some electric guitar and harp, On the Road Again is a country-blues song which provides some nice upbeat humour to the album. If that wasnt enough humour for the album, the next track, Bob Dylans 115th Dream starts out with some uncontrollable laughter from Bob. Nice studio outtake. Im glad they didnt cut out that humourous moment. Again Dylan provides some humourous lyrics such as “They asked for some collateral and I pulled down my pants…”
The last half of Bringin It All Back Home is pure genius. They opted to go with the more folk-orientated, acoustic material after taking a huge leap forward with the rock n roll on the first half. Dylans songwriting is perfect on this side, no doubt about that. Mr Tambourine Man is the most well-known track from this album thanks to The Byrds jingly-jangly version that stormed the charts in 1965. Many people believe that the song is about a drug dealer who supplies the narrator of the song with all the goods he needs. There are also others that believe that Dylan is the “Tambourine Man” who is the main inspiration for many songwriters of that decade. The lyrics are amazing in this track using such metaphors as a magic swirling ship to mean a psychedelic trip where the narrator has troubles grasping his own senses.
Gates of Eden showcases Dylans prolific songwriting. He has a knack of painting pictures in the listeners minds. I can still picture the ships with tattooed sails heading for the gates of Eden. My favourite track has to be the epic folk tune, “Its Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”. One of his most quoted lyrics comes from this track, “He who is not busy being born, is busy dying.” This is 7 and 1/2 minutes of pure lyrical genius and amazing acoustic guitar playing.
The album finishes out with the acoustic ballad, “Its All Over Now, Baby Blue”, a very nice way to end out an exploding album abound with breathtaking lyrics. As you can see, this output is indeed one of Dylan’s best. Probably the best since his “Freewheelin Bob Dylan” folk orientated days. I actually enjoy Bringin it All Back Home more than Highway 61 and Blonde on Blonde (his other highly critically praised albums). The Beatles (especially Lennon) was blown away with the majestic beauty and hard hitting lyrics of this album, they had to record their own folk-influenced album, “Rubber Soul”. And you all know the rest. Rubber Soul influenced Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys “Pet Sounds”, which inturn influenced the Beatles “Sgt Peppers”, which inturned many art rock albums to follow….