This might not be the best idea for a list, I know. We here @ JV don’t write about music we don’t like. But this is different, this is my fav artist..by far, and the 5 worst Bob Dylan albums still contains much great music. A bad Dylan album might still be a good album.
It’s always easy to write negative critique, but I chose not to comment on the 5 albums on the list… except highlighting the best song/songs.
To set the record strait: on my “all time greatest albums” list I have 3 Dylan records @ top 3:
- Blonde On Blonde
- Highway 61 Revisited
- Blood On The Tracks
- Exile on Main St. – The Rolling Stones
- Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen
My rules: I’ve excluded Greatest Hits/Best of albums, but bootleg series & live albums are in. And Christmas in the Heart is also excluded from this “competition”, it’s not really a Dylan album after all.
Then we are down to 52 albums.. and here are the worst:
- Down In The Groove
Released May 30, 1988 Recorded 1983–1987 Genre Rock Length 32:10 Label Columbia Producer unlisted Best song: Silvio
- Dylan
Released November 19, 1973 Recorded April 24, 1969 – June 4, 1970 Genre Rock, folk rock Length 33:22 Label Columbia Producer Bob Johnston Best Song: Mr.Bojangles
- Dylan & The Dead
Released February 6, 1989 Recorded July 1987 Genre Rock Length 43:07 Label Columbia Producer Jerry Garcia
John CutlerBest Song: Queen Jane Approximately
- Self Portrait
Released June 8, 1970 Recorded April 24, 1969 – March 30, 1970 Genre Country rock, rock Length 73:15 Label Columbia Producer Bob Johnston Best Songs: Copper Kettle (The Pale Moonlight), Days of’ 49, Early Mornin’ Rain, Let It Be Me & Living The Blues
- Real Live
Released November 29, 1984 Recorded Summer 1984 Genre Hard rock Length 50:15 Label Columbia Producer Glyn Johns Best Songs: Highway 61 Revisited, Masters of War & Tombstone Blues
Here is a spotify playlist with the best songs from the worst albums:
(PS – I did not find “Dylan” on spotify… hence the missing “Mr. Bojangles”)
4 runners up:
- Knocked Out Loaded (1986)
remove Brownsville Girl and it might be the very worst - Bob Dylan at Budokan (1979)
ok in small portions and contains a great Is Your Love In Vain - Saved (1980)
the tame & toothless sound nearly kills it off, still it contains some really good songs: Saved, Solid Rock, In The Garden,.. - Empire Burlesque (1985)
with typical bad 80’s production (horrible drum sound), and leaving best versions of key songs in the studio. This one also have some strong songs: Emotionally Yours, Dark Eyes & Tight Connection To My Heart