This is not a “best from 1961” list, just 5 Great songs Bob Dylan recorded in 1961.

House Carpenter

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
20 & 22 November 1961

Produced by John Hammond.

First released on THE BOOTLEG SERIES (RARE & UNRELEASED) 1961–1991, 26 March 1991

Well met, well met, my own true love
Well met, well met, cried she
I’ve just returned from the salt, salt sea
And it’s all for the love of thee

Song to Woody

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
20 & 22 November 1961

Produced by John Hammond.

Released on BOB DYLAN, 19 March 1962.

I’m out here a thousand miles from my home
Walkin’ a road other men have gone down
I’m seein’ your world of people and things
Your paupers and peasants and princes and kings

Hard Times in New York Town

The Home Of Bonnie Beecher
Minneapolis, Minnesota
22 December 1961

First released on THE BOOTLEG SERIES (RARE & UNRELEASED) 1961–1991, 26 March 1991

Come you ladies and you gentlemen, a-listen to my song
Sing it to you right, but you might think it’s wrong
Just a little glimpse of a story I’ll tell
’Bout an East Coast city that you all know well
It’s hard times in the city
Livin’ down in New York town

–

Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
20 & 22 November 1961

Produced by John Hammond.

Released on BOB DYLAN, 19 March 1962.

I first heard this from Ric von Schmidt. He lives in Cambridge.
Ric is a blues guitarplayer. I met him one day on
The green pastures of the Harvard University

–

See That My Grave Is Kept Clean

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
20 & 22 November 1961

Produced by John Hammond.

Released on BOB DYLAN, 19 March 1962.

Well there’s one kind of favor I’ll ask for you
Well there’s one kind of favor I’ll ask for you
There’s just one kind of favor I’ll ask for you
You can see that my grave is kept clean

-Egil