Bob Dylan's self-titled debut album was released on this day (March 19) in 1962, marking the album's 62nd anniversary.
Featuring a mix of a pair of originals, covers and traditionals arranged by Dylan and others, the 13-song album initially did not create much of a stir upon its release. Both Dylan and legendary Columbia Records A&R man John Hammond were reportedly disappointed with the recordings, which were completed in three afternoon sessions in November 1961 for "about $402" Hammond once joked.
The album's two originals are "Talkin' New York" and "Song to Woody," Dylan's ode to one of his major influences, Woody Guthrie. The originals were spotlighted in a Billboard magazine review of the album that appeared in the April 14, 1962 issue. The album was designated with "special merit" in a review that said Dylan "is one of the most interesting, and most disciplined youngsters to appear on the pop-folk scene in a long time" with "moving readings of originals such as 'Song to Woody' and 'Talkin' New York.' Dylan when he finds his own style, could win a big following."
That turned out to be prophetic and quite an understatement. While the album failed to chart in the U.S. (it topped out at No. 13 in the U.K. in 1965), Dylan went on to become one of the most influential and important artists in popular music. And he's still touring today. His "Rough and Rowdy Ways" World Wide Tour/2021-2024 stops in Asheville, N.C. on Thursday (March 21) and Dylan and his band have dates booked through Sept. 17 in Buffalo, N.Y.
At least one artist is also touring behind Dylan's music. Acclaimed indie artist Cat Power recently wrapped a leg of her U.S. tour in which she performs the setlist of Dylan's famed 1966 performance known as the "Royal Albert Hall Concert." She picks up the tour again April 20 in Stockholm, Sweden and returns to the U.S. for additional dates beginning on May 31 in North Charleston, S.C.
Last year, Cat Power also released her song-by-song recreation of that Dylan show, she recorded in November 2022 at London's Royal Albert Hall. Interestingly enough, Dylan's show was actually recorded at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in May 1966 but was known as the "Royal Albert Hall Concert" because it was mislabeled on a bootleg.
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