Highway 61 Revisited

By Bob Dylan

One of the most influential albums ever made with one of the greatest songs as its first track. To paraphrase Bruce Springsteen, that snare crack at the start of Like a Rolling Stone slammed the door open for Rock n’ Roll lyrics, and music was never the same.

Not only are Dylan’s lyrics years ahead of its time, the music is electric. Literally.

Just two months before Highway 61 Revisited was released, Dylan was booed off stage at the Newport Folk Festival by purists, unhappy with his electric guitar in hand. A mortal sin for folk at the time.

This album represents Bob Dylan’s “Going Electric”, and includes a full band backing Dylan (a first for him as well). Many reviews and music historians agree that not only did this album shut up those folk purists, but cemented his legacy as a rock legend. Bob Dylan was 24.

The album pays homage to the route that connects Dylan’s hometown of Duluth, Minnesota to Music Capitols like Memphis and New Orleans. You can hear the Americana ooze from the tracks as it meanders down the Mississippi.

Best Track: “Like a Rolling Stone”, obviously.

Tom’s Favorite: “Queen Jane Approximately”, because it sounds like a follow-up to Rolling Stone, or perhaps I just like the name Jane.