Search - Bob Dylan :: Bob Dylan - Greatest Hits Box

When The Saints Come Marching In

Katherine Graham | Sparta, NC | 01/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't help but go to this place, so you'll have to forive me ( or not...smile). But this collection of music is so spectacular, in my opinion, it is not only for those "new" to Bob Dylan and his music. It is for everyone world-wide even if one doesn't understand the words, (our Americanized English Language). I have no idea what it is - about this extraordinary soul but as someone said once - Dylan has you from the cradle to the grave. I only hope that Bob Dylan's life is as enriched as he makes our own. I do know this - but it's from my most limited experience. When the darkest of hours seem to harming and literally demoralizing us everyday-folks-out-there, a gifted soul emerges like Dylan and...well, it just "feels" like When The Saints Come Marching In. Bottomline: if you can afford it, this is worth every hard-earned cent and more."

So Many Songs to Choose From, How Did They Ever Decide?

Ophella Paige | Reno, Nevada | 06/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really like Bob Dylan's first Greatest Hits record. I love "Tambourine Man", love the subtle electric guitar. I adore "It Ain't Me Babe," it ain't no stinkin' love song. And neither is "Positively 4th Street." These are bitter and biting songs that grip like glue. "If you were standing in my shoes, you'd know what a drag it is to see you." What a line. Nobody writes them like Bob Dylan. "Rolling Stone", "Rainy Day Woman," and "I Want You," three jumpin' rockers. And then there is "Just Like a Woman," Lord I love that song that shows what a mesmerizing voice Dylan can have when he wants to. And, of course, I can't forget that song that is almost impossible to sing along with, " Subterranean Homesick Blues." Try memorizing the lyrics to that one, try singing them without the record playing. Was Dylan ahead of his time? You betcha.



There is a song on Dylan's second Greatest Hits record "Tomorrow is a Long Time," which is just about one of the best songs I've every heard. It's from a concert that, if all of the performances were delivered this well, then I don't know why they didn't release the whole show. Also I agree that it would have been nice to have a whole record of Bob Dylan and Happy Traum together. It also would have been nice to have a whole record produced by Leon Russell, because as we see with the two songs he produced on this record, "Watching" the River Flow" and "When I Paint My Masterpiece" Mr. Russell knew how to get a good rocker out of Mr. Dylan. Still, even though we don't have the records it would have been nice to have, we have snippets here of what they could have been. Several different styles, all good, but then Bob Dylan is always reinventing himself, but to reinvent himself a couple times on the same record, amazing, simply amazing.



Dylan's third Greatest Hits record is a masterpiece in it's own right. In fact because of the many different styles Dylan uses, it kind of reminds my of a Beatles' record. You know, how the Beatles would switch the lead singer from song to song between John, Paul, George and Ringo. I think because of that Beatles' records never get old. This record is like that. Dylan's voice is so different from song to song, the bands are different. It seems like a record full of surprises, one I know I'll never get tired of and I don't think you'll ever tire of it either."

There is Just Simply No Song Man Better than Bob Dylan

Danielle Lane | Horseshoe, North Carolina | 06/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Blowin' in the Wind" one of the three acoustic songs from his too short protest period on this record conjures up images of a young man, wind blowing his hair every which way as he sings this song protesting all wars. The rock numbers are outstanding and the inclusion of "Postively 4th Street" was inspirational, because not only is it a divine song, but it had never been on an LP up until the release of this record. In fact this whole record is kind of inspirational, good early material that will have anybody up and thinking, good electric songs that will make you think as you sing along. Just an all around good record, this is.



Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits II" opens with the up tempo rocker "Watching the River Flow," then slows down some with the acoustic "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," then jumps into a great Dylan countryesqe love song, "Lay, Lady Lay," then onto "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" from the "John Wesley Album." It is a testament to how strongly Bob Dylan presents his songs that he can take you from fast to slow, electric to acoustic and grab you instantly into each song. Dylan is a master, no doubt about it. Then again, all Mr. Dylan's songs are all good aren't they? And then there's the new stuff on here that wasn't really a greatest hit, though now that the record has been out for umpteen years, probably nobody knows that, but anyway, that stuff is a good too, no it's great.



"In a crowded room full of covered up mirrors, looking into the lost forgotten years for dignity." What a line, delivered the way only Dylan can deliver them. The years just roll on and he just keeps getting better. Like a shape changer he keeps changing, redefining himself, putting out new stuff, rereleasing his old stuff, putting out his live stuff and I am always amazed. When I first got "Greatest Hits III) (I bought it on cassette), I stuck it into the play in my car, because I couldn't wait to get home. "Tangled Up in Blue" came on and I immediately forgot that I was listening to a Greatest Hits record, was taking right back to the first time I'd heard "Blood on the Tracks" and I stayed right there till "Changing of the Guard" came on, not the song I was expecting, but I was immediately hooked right in. Then right onto "The Groom's Still Waiting at the Alter", a down right rocker with a heck of a Gospel flavor. Next comes "Hurricane" a song with a different band, different flavor and that is the genius of Bob Dylan. He can pull you in any direction he wants you to go and you follow."