Bob Dylan – John Wesley Harding (1967)

Released in the time immediately following the Woodstock basement recordings (which wouldn’t see the light of day ’til the dawn — or is that yawn? — of disco), Bob Dylan goes twangy — and with resounding success. Folksy, without too much folk.

“Rolling Stone” said “John Wesley Harding” helped set in motion a reevaluation — and a reaffirmation — of rock ‘n’ roll’s root values. Which, of course, led to Dylan’s country classic, “Nashville Skyline.” (Louisiana native Dale Carter played on that, too, by the way.)

Nick’s Pick: This album produced what would become one of the 1960s most important cover tunes. Forget the Byrds. Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” was both fitting tribute … and blistering update.

Nick DeRiso

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