Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan

Dear Mom & Dad,

Got myself a record deal with Columbia, it ain’t all that much, but it will help payin’ the rent, and you needn’t worry about me eating. Things are goin’ pretty good these days. New York seemed big at first, but it’s really just a bunch of small towns all strung out together. Woody and I have been spending alot of time together, he really digs my tunes. I’m enclosing a copy of my record for you, though there’s no need for you to play it, just thought you’d like the picture is all.

Bob

This is probably one of my least favorite albums by Dylan, though his interpretation of several standard folk songs are very good; with his rendition of “Baby, Let Me Follow You Down” probably being the strongest track on the record. For me, this record seems like it could almost be part of one of those Bootleg Series that folks are making such a huge fuss over, songs that were left on the cutting room floor, or material he wanted to keep around for future consideration and exploration ... yet never did.

The release wasn’t hugely successful either. Columbia seriously thought about dropping Bob from their label, and this during a time when record companies nurtured their artists, helping to bring them along, allowing them the time to find their footing. Fortuity for us, someone had the vision to allow this young man to ramble on, to ramble on and become the most venerated and recognizable voices in music of all time.

Like his Bootleg Series, this is fun to listen to, but you won’t be playing it much, even back in ‘62 we didn’t play it much ... it was one of those records most people found by walking the cat backwards, discovering it only after Dylan was already famous.

*** The Fun Facts: The album was recorded in three short afternoon sessions on November 20th through the 22nd, in Studio A at Columbia Studios in New York city, at a cost of $402 to record it.

The album cover features a reversed photo of Dylan holding his acoustic guitar, with this being done to prevent the neck of the guitar from obscuring Columbia's logo.

As to the recording process, John Hammond said, "Bobby popped every p, hissed every s, and habitually wandered off mike. Even more frustrating, he refused to learn from his mistakes. It occurred to me at the time that I'd never worked with anyone so undisciplined before."

Review by Jenell Kesler

I have CBS ALD 6818 not Listed here, a South African Pressing I understand.

I have this version,
https://discogs.programascracks.com/Bob-Dylan-Bob-Dylan/release/8815833
which has subtle differences to the others listed on here. Anyone able to add anything further? Am not a particular Dylan fan so would like it to go somewhere it can be appreciated but am unsure of the exact rarity of it...

Under rated and much over looked. The sincerity in Dylan's voice on many of these tunes makes him seem much older than he actually is. Brilliant.