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Nigel Williamson is a British journalist and author. Educated at University College London, Williamson worked as a reporter on Tribune (1982–84) and was then briefly its literary editor (1984) before becoming editor (1984–87) as successor to Chris Mullin.

He writes on pop and world music for a variety of publications, including the magazines Uncut and Songlines. He has also written books, among them, The Rough Guide to Bob Dylan.

He made 4 Bob Dylan playlists for The Rough Guide Book of playlists, this is the 2nd of them:

Bob Dylan Electric Messiah:

Nigel Williamson:

1 – Like a Rolling Stone
“The Infamous live version preceded by the shout of “Judas!”. “I don’t believe you, you’re a liar, Dylan responds before turning to The Hawks and telling them to “Play fucking loud!”. One of the most electrifying moments in rock’n roll history”.

2 – Subterranean Homesick Blues
“Chuck Berry meets Woody Guthrie”.

3 – Ballad of a Thin Man
“Even Dylan never sneered better than on this classic put-down”.

4 – Desolation Row
“He may have gone rock’n roll, but the poetry remained peerless and he could still name check Ezra Pound and T.S. Elliot”.

5 – Visions of Johanna
“”Ain’t it just like the night to play tricks when you’re trying to be so quiet”. Many will tell you this was his finest epic of all”.

6 – Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands
“The masterpiece that took up all of side four of Bob’s 1966 double album”.

7 – One of us must know (sooner or later)
“With Al Kooper’s swirling organ, the epitome of what Dylan called “that wild mercury sound” and the first track recorded for Blonde on Blonde”.

8 – Positively 4th Street Not on Spotify
“”You’ve got a lot of nerve to say you’re my friend”.  Possibly the nastiest song ever written”.

9 – Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window Not on Spotify
“Bob’s third hit single in six months after Rolling Stone and Positively 4th street”.

10 – Tell Me, Momma
“A brilliant song which Dylan tried recording for Blonde on Blonde. It officially saw the light of day on the live album from his first 1966 tour, eventually released in 1998”.

 

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