New Morning

Part ten of the DYLAN VINYL collection which is a brand-new collection of every single Bob Dylan album on high-quality 180-gram vinyl plus a collectors’ magazine

The album was recorded after a motorcycle accident that left Dylan with a broken neck and several other injuries. Despite the accident, Dylan was able to deliver a solid album with a lighter, more positive tone than his previous works. The album opens with “If Not for You,” a cheerful love song that sets the tone for the rest of the album. “Day of the Locusts” is a witty take on Dylan’s experience of receiving an honorary degree from Princeton University, while “The Man in Me” is a soulful track that has since been featured in the Coen Brothers’ film The Big Lebowski

New Morning features a diverse range of musical styles, from the country-inspired “One More Weekend” to the jazzy “Sign on the Window.” The album is also notable for the inclusion of “The Ballad of Ira Hayes,” a tribute to the Native American World War II hero. Overall, New Morning is a refreshing departure from Dylan’s more serious and introspective albums. It showcases his versatility as a songwriter and musician.

The singer’s voice is “back in its raspy, rowdy glory”, while Sign on the Window “ranks with the best work he’s done”,
Ed Ward – Rolling Stone

Side 1
If Not For You
Day of the Locusts
Time Passes Slowly
Went to See the Gypsy
Winterlude
If Dogs Run Free

Side 2
New Morning
Sign on the Window
One More Weekend
The Man in Me
Three Angels
Father of the Night

My Top Three

1) If Not For You
A romantic ballad that expresses the love and admiration that the singer has for his partner. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, and they convey a sense of joy and gratitude for the love that the singer has found. The melody is gentle and soothing, and it perfectly complements the lyrics. “If Not For You” has been covered by many other artists over the years, including George Harrison, who had a hit with the song in 1971.

2) Day of the Locusts
The song was written about Dylan’s experience receiving an honorary degree from Princeton University in1970. The lyrics describe the chaos and confusion surrounding the event, with Dylan feeling like he was “dragged through the mud” and “treated like a clown.” Despite the negative experience, the song ends on a hopeful note, with Dylan reflecting on the beauty of nature and the resilience of the human spirit.

3) Went to See the Gypsy
The song tells the story of a narrator who visits a mysterious gypsy, who may or may not be Elvis Presley. The lyrics are cryptic and surreal, with Dylan’s signature poetic imagery and enigmatic storytelling.