Despite having recorded over 600 pieces in his career, when it comes to Dylan there’s not a lot of undiscovered territory. Songs basically come in two forms – well know or completely legendary. Still, even for the most devoted Dylan listener a few things can fall through the cracks after 40+ albums, numerous bootlegs, alt versions, and unreleased tracks. We asked our on-air team to put together a playlist of their favorite under-loved, under appreciated, or (relatively) under the radar songs from the man himself. Scroll down to read our DJs’ thoughts and hear the full playlist, and tune in all week as WNRN celebrates Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday all week with special versions of Decade of Difference, Take 2 @ 2, Live at 5, and more!
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Jokerman
You can guess my age by my admission that I bought Infidels on cassette when it came out. It was my first Dylan purchase and though it wasn't a critical hit, I liked it because it was on my Walkman for weeks. Only later did I know enough to figure out it was produced by Mark Knopfler and had Sly & Robbie as the rhythm section and former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor on guitar. An 80's classic from a man turning 80! -Mark Keefe (GM, Program Director)
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Visions of Johanna
Blonde on Blonde was the first Dylan album that I ever really dug into. My best friend in high school had it on cassette, and we would listen to it front to back on repeat while driving around in her old school Volvo station wagon. Every track on the record is great, but "Visions of Johanna" always stood out to me lyrically. Dylan is such a masterful wordsmith, and his striking use of imagery is on full display here. "The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face" is still one of my favorite lines of all time. -Desiré Moses
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One More Cup Of Coffee
Desire came out in 1976 – my senior year in high school, and it was the first Dylan album I ever really listened to. Of course I knew his famous songs – but this was the first whole album I dove into. With the influence of violinist Scarlett Rivera, it takes you to a different place than any other Dylan album." -Bob Mosolgo (Morning Host)
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Beyond Here Lies Nothin
A smoldering late night groove kicks off Dylan's largely overlooked 2009 album Together Through Life. Like much of the album this song was co-written with the Dead's Robert Hunter and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo accordion adds to the murky vibe.
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Boots of Spanish Leather
After recording a mix of folk standards for his first two albums, Dylan showed his ability to master a form on The Times They Are a-Changin' with a series of original modern day folk classics like the title track and "Only A Pawn in Their Game". Buried toward the end of the album is delicate heart wrenching ballad of love gone wrong, telegraphing the storytelling ability that continues to be a hallmark of his style.
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Goin' to Acapulco
We could write a whole list of songs just from The Basement Tapes, a legendary bootleg-turned-official release of outtakes, experiments, and exploration of American roots between Dylan and members of The Band, but the yearning in Dylan's voice, plus the images of tropical travel make "Goin' to Acapulco" a welcome listen in 2021.
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Murder Most Foul
Perhaps the most likely contender for this list, "Murder Most Foul" is nearly 17 minute spoken word epic (with Fiona Apple on piano!) from his latest studio release Rough & Rowdy Ways. For those who have the patience and the time, the track is a potent stream of conscious history lesson from the Kennedy assassination up to the present day.
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Ring Them Bells
It's generally acknowledged the less said about Dylan's late 80's output the better (Down in the Groove anyone?) but in 1989 Dylan teamed up with producer Daniel Lanois for return to form album Oh Mercy. The stark reverent "Ring Them Bells" is as a close to hymn as we'd like to see Dylan get (Saved anyone?).
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Tangled Up In Blue (Take 3, Remake 3)
During my senior year at college, my roommate Pete & I saw Bob Dylan perform at the (formerly) HSBC Arena. The concert forever changed my life. In set one, Dylan did an acoustic version of "Tangled Up in Blue." The audience were all buzzing about that song as they were exiting the venue. On the way back to campus, it sparked a conversation that led to Pete and I traveling across the country for spring break loosely following Jack Keroac's path from On the Road. Two artists influenced our perspective on life and America in an amazing week and a half. -Tad Abbey (Afternoon Host)
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Workingman's Blues #2
From 2006's excellent Modern Times, "Workingman's Blues #2" picks up the thread from Merle Haggard's iconic "Workingman's Blues" and recasts it for the modern gig economy, in a statement as scathing and topical as anything from his early output.
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Trying To Get To Heaven
There have been more Dylan "comeback albums" than most artists have albums period,but these major pivots have produced some of my favorites Blood on the Tracks or 1997's Time Out of Mind. Sessions were infamously contentious with super producer Daniel Lanois and Dylan, not coincidentally, has never worked with such a hands on partner since. But nobody else has put together such a stunning sonic landscape for Dylan's poetry, especially on this epic ballad. -Patrick Coman (Saturday Host)
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Workingman's Blues #2
From 2006's excellent Modern Times, "Workingman's Blues #2" picks up the thread from Merle Haggard's iconic "Workingman's Blues" and recasts it for the modern gig economy, in a statement as scathing and topical as anything from his early output.
-
Beyond Here Lies Nothin
A smoldering late night groove kicks off Dylan's largely overlooked 2009 album Together Through Life. Like much of the album this song was co-written with the Dead's Robert Hunter and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo accordion adds to the murky vibe.
-
Jokerman
You can guess my age by my admission that I bought Infidels on cassette when it came out. It was my first Dylan purchase and though it wasn't a critical hit, I liked it because it was on my Walkman for weeks. Only later did I know enough to figure out it was produced by Mark Knopfler and had Sly & Robbie as the rhythm section and former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor on guitar. An 80's classic from a man turning 80! -Mark Keefe (GM, Program Director)
-
Tangled Up In Blue (Take 3, Remake 3)
During my senior year at college, my roommate Pete & I saw Bob Dylan perform at the (formerly) HSBC Arena. The concert forever changed my life. In set one, Dylan did an acoustic version of "Tangled Up in Blue." The audience were all buzzing about that song as they were exiting the venue. On the way back to campus, it sparked a conversation that led to Pete and I traveling across the country for spring break loosely following Jack Keroac's path from On the Road. Two artists influenced our perspective on life and America in an amazing week and a half. -Tad Abbey (Afternoon Host)
-
Ring Them Bells
It's generally acknowledged the less said about Dylan's late 80's output the better (Down in the Groove anyone?) but in 1989 Dylan teamed up with producer Daniel Lanois for return to form album Oh Mercy. The stark reverent "Ring Them Bells" is as a close to hymn as we'd like to see Dylan get (Saved anyone?).
-
One More Cup Of Coffee
Desire came out in 1976 – my senior year in high school, and it was the first Dylan album I ever really listened to. Of course I knew his famous songs – but this was the first whole album I dove into. With the influence of violinist Scarlett Rivera, it takes you to a different place than any other Dylan album." -Bob Mosolgo (Morning Host)
-
Visions of Johanna
Blonde on Blonde was the first Dylan album that I ever really dug into. My best friend in high school had it on cassette, and we would listen to it front to back on repeat while driving around in her old school Volvo station wagon. Every track on the record is great, but "Visions of Johanna" always stood out to me lyrically. Dylan is such a masterful wordsmith, and his striking use of imagery is on full display here. "The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face" is still one of my favorite lines of all time. -Desiré Moses
-
Boots of Spanish Leather
After recording a mix of folk standards for his first two albums, Dylan showed his ability to master a form on The Times They Are a-Changin' with a series of original modern day folk classics like the title track and "Only A Pawn in Their Game". Buried toward the end of the album is delicate heart wrenching ballad of love gone wrong, telegraphing the storytelling ability that continues to be a hallmark of his style.
-
Murder Most Foul
Perhaps the most likely contender for this list, "Murder Most Foul" is nearly 17 minute spoken word epic (with Fiona Apple on piano!) from his latest studio release Rough & Rowdy Ways. For those who have the patience and the time, the track is a potent stream of conscious history lesson from the Kennedy assassination up to the present day.
-
Goin' to Acapulco
We could write a whole list of songs just from The Basement Tapes, a legendary bootleg-turned-official release of outtakes, experiments, and exploration of American roots between Dylan and members of The Band, but the yearning in Dylan's voice, plus the images of tropical travel make "Goin' to Acapulco" a welcome listen in 2021.
-
Trying To Get To Heaven
There have been more Dylan "comeback albums" than most artists have albums period,but these major pivots have produced some of my favorites Blood on the Tracks or 1997's Time Out of Mind. Sessions were infamously contentious with super producer Daniel Lanois and Dylan, not coincidentally, has never worked with such a hands on partner since. But nobody else has put together such a stunning sonic landscape for Dylan's poetry, especially on this epic ballad. -Patrick Coman (Saturday Host)
