#64. Blonde on Blonde | Bob Dylan (1966)

I recently asked someone what their favorite Bob Dylan album was, and without hesitation, she responded "Blonde On Blonde." At the time, I hadn't yet listened to this album and thought it might be hard to top Highway 61 Revisited, which, at the time, was my favorite Dylan album. Boy, was I wrong.

This was rock's first double album and its success helped ensure the progression and experimentation for other bands to come. It was both a commercial success, launching several hit singles, and a critical success. Both VH1 and Rolling Stone list it as their ninth greatest album of all time.

"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" opens the LP with a staggering clamor, with session players reportedly moved around to play unfamiliar instruments and encouraged to follow the song's central suggestion that "everyone must get stoned."

The album continues with soon-to-be classics such as "Visions Of Johanna," "Stuck Inside Of Mobile WIth The Memphis Blues Again" and "Just Like A Woman." I think my first exposure to "Just Like A Woman" was in the scene from Annie Hall with Shelley Duvall as a reporter from Rolling Stone. She quotes the song and asks her date, Alvy Singer, if he made it to the Dylan concert. His response, "no, I couldn't make it that night, my raccoon had hepatitis."

The album ends with the epic "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands," Dylan's longest song to date, clocking in at 11:20. Growing up, I preferred songs that were at the commercially acceptable length of 4 minutes or less. I had no patience. I've gained a better appreciation in my old age, and if the artist has something to say, I don't mind an 11 minute song.

Dylan would not be heard from for a couple of years after this album, and when he returned, his music and sensibility had permanently changed. And I won't hear from Dylan again until 1975's Blood On The Tracks. I think I'll miss him.

Track Listing:
01. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
02. Pledging My Time
03. Visions Of Johanna
04. One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)
05. I Want You
06. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
07. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
08. Just Like A Woman
09. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
10. Temporary Love Achilles
11. Absolutely Sweet Marie
12. 4th Time Around
13. Obviously 5 Believers
14. Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands