Search - Bob Dylan :: John Wesley Harding

Back from the Motorcycle Accident, Reinvented

Stephanie Sane | from the Asylum | 10/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is another of those Dylan records that belongs in the top five. My dad told me that everybody was taken completely by surprise when "JWH" came out. Bob Dylan had come back from his motorcycle accident completely reinvented, but I don't know why his fans were so blown away, he'd reinvented himself once before, they should have just accepted it, or at the very least gotten used to it, because Mr. Dylan has been reinventing himself for a long time now. Anyway this record was recorded with county musicians and has a country flavor to it, even though the songs like "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest," "All Along the Watchtower," "Down along the Cove" and the rest of the masterpieces on this album are anything but country. That'll come though, because Dylan reinvents himself still again for his next release.



Reviewed by Stephanie Sane"

A Record that is Always New

Sara Hackett | from the Darkside | 05/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just love this record. A solid rocker with a country flavor. The music is tone down quite a bit from "Blonde on Blonde" but it's still got many songs with a driving beat. The most famous song on JWH has to be "All Along the Watchtower." Jimi Hendrix did such a great job with his cover of that song. Dylan himself, still plays it all the time, changing it as he's always changing himself. "As I Went Out One Morning", is my favorite. Dylan sings about what America as all about and how Tom Paine would be so disappointed if he were around today. That's my read on the song anyway, you may have yours. So many of Dylan's songs are open to different interpretations. My next favorite song is "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest." It seems that Dylan just loves to showcase his humor. There is just so much going on in this record, it's almost impossible to take in. I've been listening to JWH for years and years and it's always fresh and I always seem to be finding something new, a new way to look at one of these songs."

Plays on in Your Head Long After You've Turned off the CD Pl

Ophella Paige | Reno, Nevada | 04/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My older brother thinks this is the best Dylan album ever. Is it? I don't know. "Blood on the Track," "Desire", "Highway 61" and "Blonde on Blonde" are all records I like better, but right after them, I'd but "JWH" maybe tie it with "Oh Mercy." Don't get me wrong. JWH is a must own album. Not only because you can see here how he transitions into his country period with "Nashville Skyline" and "New Morning," but because it's a record that plays on in your head long after you've turned of the CD player. JWH was not only a change of direction in Dylan's music, but it was written while he was recovering from his motorcycle accident, so one could also assume his life was taking a new direction as well. I'm not sure about that, but I would think a long recovery would make you think about life and what it's all about, that's what this record seems to be about anyway. At least that's what I take away from it."