[Had some fun and ranked all 39 albums by His Bobness. Everything you are about to read is simply my opinion; whether you agree or disagree, let’s have a healthy, respectful dialogue in the comments!]
#15 - John Wesley Harding
Released: December 27, 1967
Produced by: Bob Johnston
Disregarding the circumstances surrounding its recording and release, John Wesley Harding is still such a ridiculously fascinating album. It’s the first and only time that Bob strips down to this small a combo, performing with Charlie McCoy and Kenny Buttrey as a trio for the majority of these songs (shoutouts to them as low-key MVPs of this record). With the benefit of hindsight, we get to hear how the soundscape was influenced by the Basement Tapes sessions that took place earlier in the year, and what an effective, intimate sound it is.
Then, of course, we have the shift in Dylan’s songwriting. I have certain opinions on this era of his music that I’ll delve deeper into sometime down the road, but it can’t go unsaid how interesting the contrast is from his previous few albums to this one. He maintains a cryptic aura while simultaneously introducing a more straightforward approach to his storytelling, resulting in tracks like “As I Went Out One Morning”, “Drifter’s Escape”, and “The Wicked Messenger”, all equally gripping and unlike much of anything he’d done up to this point. Additionally, the biblical connotations of “All Along the Watchtower”, “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine”, and “The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest”, among others, suggest a greater sense of mystery and exploration both within the songs themselves and Bob’s mindset.
It shouldn’t be lost in discussing the strength of the compositions that John Wesley Harding is a satisfying sonic experience as well. The stripped-down arrangements allow the songs to breathe wonderfully, and many of the aforementioned tracks - as well as “I Pity the Poor Immigrant” and “Dear Landlord” - feature splendid vocals and melodies as well. The closing duo of “Down Along the Cove” and “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” offer a nice glimpse of things to come, and Pete Drake’s pedal steel presence aids both tracks greatly.
Despite all of the love I’ve just given it, this
... keep reading on reddit ➡I dunno man there's just something so satisfying and simple about it, I'm grooving along to this album right now.
SOLD
Graded sleeve/record. Discogs might not be exact but very close, as there are hundreds of entries for both of these.
Freewheelin Bob Dylan, 2000s era mono pressing. NM/VG+
https://www.discogs.com/Bob-Dylan-The-Freewheelin-Bob-Dylan/release/14409853
John Wesley Harding, G/G. Consider this almost a freebie. Lots of wear and marks but still playable. Moderate seam splitting.
https://www.discogs.com/Bob-Dylan-John-Wesley-Harding/release/1431602
$18 shipped for both.
Visit Best Vinyl Deals for this deal or direct link // Buy From Walmart (free shipping over $35)
Was he a real person? If so when and where? I've always been interested in finding out
Not trying to influence anyone, but I think it is in the top 5 (especially the SACD version)
Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round seven, "John Wesley Harding" was a friend to the poor. It was also eliminated with 43% of the vote. Five songs remain.
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
#9. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
#8. Dear Landlord
#7. I Pity the Poor Immigrant
#6. John Wesley Harding
ROUND EIGHT: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/9jw1r8p53
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LOVE AND THEFT
In the seventh round, "Moonlight" was eliminated with 31% of the vote. Five songs (including "Floater"!) remain.
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
#9. Sugar Baby
#8. Cry A While
#7. Lonesome Day Blues
#6. Moonlight
ROUND EIGHT: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/jhcqf2krd
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Honestly some songs are just really nice but some are about God shit, fucking blew my mind. I know it’s folk, and I’m not really a fan but it was mental. TRY IT.
Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
#9. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
#8. Dear Landlord
#7. I Pity the Poor Immigrant
#6. John Wesley Harding
#5. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
#4. The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
#3. As I Went Out One Morning
#2. >!I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine!<
#1. >!All Along the Watchtower!<
RESULTS: For an in-depth look at the results, see here: https://imgur.com/a/PMf7qCO
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LOVE AND THEFT
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
#9. Sugar Baby
#8. Cry A While
#7. Lonesome Day Blues
#6. Moonlight
#5. Floater
#4. Po' Boy
#3. Summer Days
#2. >!High Water!<
#1. >!Mississippi!<
RESULTS: For an in-depth look at the results, see here: https://imgur.com/a/jgabOui
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ALBUM RESULTS OVERVIEW
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)
Bringing It All Back Home (1965)
Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
John Wesley Harding (1967)
Nashville Skyline (1969)
Blood on the Tracks (1975)
Time Out of Mind (1997)
Love and Theft (2001)
Rough and Rowdy Ways (2020)
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The next two albums to go will be... >!Another Side of Bob Dylan!< and >!Planet Waves!<.
I recently got on my hands an original 1968 John Wesley Harding on vinyl (exquisite piece).
I noticed a very different mastering than the one I often listen on spotify. The voice is much louder and on front, and the rest of the instruments is much more on the back. You can listen this quite clearly particularly on Dear Landlord, when in the spotify version you hear the piano louder and up front.
I know that when it was released this album was much criticized because of it's loud harmonica, heavy base and predominant voice... Was this softened when digitized?
Anyhow, just a curiosity.
Love this album, it's one of my favourites.
All those people who booed Dylan throughout 1966......what did they think when Dylan released JWH a few years later?
You'd think they'd be happy? It's not exactly The Times they are a Changing, it's not "protesty" but it's definitely folk-oriented.
I understand that the majority of Dylan's fans got on board with the direction he took in 65/66, and many new fans would have jumped on the bandwagon listening only to the music he released during that time. I can see why those fans would be somewhat surprised/confused/disappointed by JWH, but I've never heard anyone discussing what those who were "done" with Dylan after he went electric thought about his return to a more folk-inspired, acoustic "serious" sound.
It's possible that they were all full of shit and once enough people approved of Dylan's electric sound they all approved of it and then, without noticing the irony, threw their toys out of the pram when he went in a new direction. There must have been some though that stuck to their guns and were then rewarded by JWH?
So I recently got into Bob Dylan and after going through his discography John Wesley Harding has to be one of my favorite if not my favorite album by him. I know that a lot of people like his three first electric albums and BOTT but I was wondering if a lot of people hold John Wesley Harding in high regard. The tunes are all so smooth sheesh
https://youtu.be/8drcUlZAQxI?t=14listen 2-4 seconds from that specific minute in the song.
https://youtu.be/drOLqPlVA_c?t=27listen 2-4 seconds from that specific minute in the song.
I've just listened to John Wesley Harding for the first time and instantly recognized a bit of the melody. Do you think the resemblance to Rocks Off is noticeable enough or even there?
Edit: I'm aware that Rocks Off was released after John Wesley Harding.
So the album wasn't supposed to be this crazy spare record, even though that worked for a lot of people. He said it was supposed to have a lot more going on, especially a lot of slide. But organs and other instruments too.
I really wish there was a version out there with all that! And I wish I knew why he released it as is. This is coming from Dylan himself not so long after it came out. Maybe a few years later, but I recall it was shortly after.
I know some love the sparse charm and I like it too. But I would love to hear a more ornate version just to know what it would sound like.
Glad you stopped by. Now I was so busy posting smiling Dylan memes that I almost forgot that I still have a tournament to take care of, but here I am and here is one and only worst on worst song of the world:
- "Rainy Day Women 12 & 35" with 37 votes (31%)
Let's be honest, we all knew it was coming. So "Rainy Day Women 420" continues to the next round and so do we. Next down the line is "John Wesley Harding". Here's the poll: https://www.strawpoll.me/17552960
And that's everything I've got. Please don't be mad, I promise to be back soon. See ya!
PS: Here's a real smiling Dylan just for you. No photoshop guaranteed: https://imgur.com/1DYNAFz
So there is another version of JWH allegedly. With a lot more instruments. Much less sparse.
And I was thinking. What would you pick as the perfect version of the album? As in, say The Band never used those Dylan songs (I shall be released, tears of rage, wheel's on fire), and songs like I'm Not There and All You Have To Do Is Dream (Take 2) are fair game.
What would you choose as the ultimate follow up to Blonde on Blonde, with all these songs, and assuming they wouldn't be so spare (they were originally intended to have a lot more instrumentation, but I guess there was a some last minute change according to Dylan).
Or would you change nothing at all? I feel like a double album, with the front half of JWH included, but a lot of Basement Tapes songs with true studio quality and great arrangements. I think it would be a competitor as his best album to many. Even though JWH is already up there for some of course.
Visit Best Vinyl Deals for this deal or direct link // Buy From Walmart (free shipping over $35)
Visit Best Vinyl Deals for this deal or direct link // Buy From Walmart (free shipping over $35)
What's your fave Bob song to get lost in when you're high?
How is it that no one on Dylan's team caught the misspelling of the album John Wesley Harding?
Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
ROUND ONE: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/ho6f51ksy
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LOVE AND THEFT
ROUND ONE: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/zhx17s7gr
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Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round one, "Down Along the Cove" was taken out fairly decisively with 38% of the vote. Eleven songs remain.
#12. Down Along the Cove
ROUND TWO: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/oz28r2g1w
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LOVE AND THEFT
In round one, "Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum" was voted out with 25%. My beloved "Floater" came in second place. Don't get any ideas!
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
ROUND TWO: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/sgoa53x2g
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Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round five, "Dear Landlord" was eliminated with 32% of the vote. Seven songs remain!
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
#9. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
#8. Dear Landlord
ROUND SIX: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/j474wag7f
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LOVE AND THEFT
In round five, "Cry A While" was eliminated with 32% of the vote. Love and Theft is personally one of my favorite albums, and "Cry A While" is probably the only song on it that I don't really care for. The fact that it was eliminated before "Floater" made my day. Seven songs remain!
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
#9. Sugar Baby
#8. Cry A While
ROUND SIX: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/wqey8xuvf
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Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round three, "Drifter's Escape" was eliminated with 21% of the vote. Nine songs remain!
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
ROUND FOUR: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/dezdw1ys9
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LOVE AND THEFT
In round three, "Honest With Me" was eliminated with 24% of the vote. Nine songs remain!
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
ROUND FOUR: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/wke61f6yh
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I can’t believe it’s day 9. Also what I can’t believe is how one man can make a hit record after record. He kind of went to basics on this album with no full backing band and just drums and bass in the background accompanying Dylan, his vocals, his guitar and his classic harmonica. This album has some great heavy hitters on it including, The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest, All Along The Watchtower and Drifters Escape. While not living up to the amazing-ness that was the last three albums it’s still a great record. 9/10
Album Highlights: The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest, All Along The Watchtower, John Wesley Harding, Ill Be Your Baby Tonight and Drifters Escape
Low points: Down Along The Cove
Tune in later for Nashville Skyline where I will include the album ranking!
Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round ten, "As I Went Out One Morning" was eliminated with 58% of the vote. Two songs remain! Who will take home the glory? The legendarily cryptic and majestic "All Along the Watchtower"... ^(or "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine"). The choice is yours!
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
#9. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
#8. Dear Landlord
#7. I Pity the Poor Immigrant
#6. John Wesley Harding
#5. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
#4. The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
#3. As I Went Out One Morning
ROUND ELEVEN: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/1j6jjd33h
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LOVE AND THEFT
"Summer Days", Summer Nights are gone. Some, including myself, were pretty shocked that it made it this far (even though I definitely personally would put it at at least sixth place). Nonetheless, 69% of voters determined it was the worst song of the three. Two songs remain! While "Mississippi" is certainly the favorite to win, "High Water" very well could have an upset (or however that word thing goes).
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
#9. Sugar Baby
#8. Cry A While
#7. Lonesome Day Blues
#6. Moonlight
#5. Floater
#4. Po' Boy
#3. Summer Days
ROUND ELEVEN: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/7qv611qvd
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Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round nine, "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest" was narrowly with 37% of the vote, compared to "As I Went Out One Morning"'s 35%. Three songs remain.
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
#9. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
#8. Dear Landlord
#7. I Pity the Poor Immigrant
#6. John Wesley Harding
#5. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
#4. The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
ROUND TEN: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/yq4j4c3rq
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LOVE AND THEFT
In the ninth round, "Po' Boy" was eliminated with 58% of the vote. Three songs remain!
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
#9. Sugar Baby
#8. Cry A While
#7. Lonesome Day Blues
#6. Moonlight
#5. Floater
#4. Po' Boy
ROUND TEN: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/bfdpz6y7x
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VOTE FOR WHAT TWO ALBUMS SHOULD BE NEXT IN THE SURVIVOR TOURNAMENT!
Vote for what two albums you want to go next! The pairings are pre-chosen so that they have an equal amount of songs and thus an equal number of rounds to go through. Vote here: https://strawpoll.com/yw9dj4r2q
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Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round two, "Wicked Messenger" was eliminated with 27% of the vote. Ten songs remain!
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
ROUND THREE: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/ppk75p27s
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LOVE AND THEFT
In round two, "Bye & Bye" was eliminated with 23% of the vote. Such a shame, that song brought us the line about how Bob can always be on time by sitting on his watch. Ten songs remain.
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
ROUND THREE: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/fp3zdreu4
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Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round four, "I Am a Lonesome Hobo" was eliminated with 39% of the vote. Interestingly, "Dear Landlord", which was one vote away from elimination in the third round, was only in fourth place. Eight songs remain!
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
#9. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
ROUND FIVE: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/fyze75ph3
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LOVE AND THEFT
In round four, one of my favorites, "Sugar Baby", was eliminated with 24% of the vote. I suspect that people forgot that "Cry A While" was an option. Eight songs remain!
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
#9. Sugar Baby
ROUND FIVE: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/kpe49f1w1
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Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In round six, "I Pity the Poor Immigrant" got destroyed with 39% of the vote. Six songs remain! And it just speaks to the strength of the first half of this album that five of those songs are the first five John Wesley Harding songs.
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
#9. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
#8. Dear Landlord
#7. I Pity the Poor Immigrant
ROUND SEVEN: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/6z2z917ry
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LOVE AND THEFT
In round six, "Lonesome Day Blues" was eliminated with 24% of the vote, which means that beloved "Floater" is guaranteed a spot in the top six! What an amazing bunch of voters! Six songs remain.
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
#9. Sugar Baby
#8. Cry A While
#7. Lonesome Day Blues
ROUND SEVEN: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/1zbqvxsg4
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Each round, vote for your LEAST FAVORITE song of an album until they are ranked. Two albums will go at a time.
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JOHN WESLEY HARDING
In the eighth round, "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" was eliminated with 41% of the vote. Four songs remain!
#12. Down Along the Cove
#11. Wicked Messenger
#10. Drifter's Escape
#9. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
#8. Dear Landlord
#7. I Pity the Poor Immigrant
#6. John Wesley Harding
#5. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
ROUND NINE: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/z5suq4yus
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LOVE AND THEFT
In round eight, "Floater" continues to evade elimination as "Summer Days" was eliminated! Okay, that's not exactly true. All good things must come to an end, and "Floater" was in fact eliminated with 43% of the vote. I must say, I was totally expecting "Floater" (my favorite song from the album) to get eliminated within the first two rounds, so the fact that it managed to survive nine rounds is probably the best thing to happen all year! Four songs remain.
#12. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
#11. Bye & Bye
#10. Honest With Me
#9. Sugar Baby
#8. Cry A While
#7. Lonesome Day Blues
#6. Moonlight
#5. Floater
ROUND NINE: Vote for your least favorite song here: https://strawpoll.com/w8qggjpwr
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