(S$-30) Bob Dylan – John Wesley Harding (Columbia Records)
Released: December 27, 1967 Recording Dates: October 17, November 6, and November 29, 1967
John Wesley Harding marks Bob Dylan’s striking return in 1967 after his motorcycle accident, showcasing a stark shift from his electric, surreal phase to a stripped-down, country-folk sound. Recorded quickly in Nashville with minimal instrumentation, the album’s sparse arrangements heighten its moral allegories, biblical imagery, and Old West themes. Songs like “All Along the Watchtower” and “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine” resonate with haunting simplicity, while “Dear Landlord” and “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” hint at Dylan’s coming embrace of country. The record’s understated style stood in deliberate contrast to the psychedelic excesses of its time, influencing The Band, The Byrds, and future Americana artists. Dylan’s newfound restraint, poetic songwriting, and subtle musicianship resulted in one of his most cohesive works, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. John Wesley Harding remains a timeless, genre-defining album that helped shape roots rock and alt-country.
Signature Tracks: John Wesley Harding, I Went Out One Morning, All Along The Watchtower
