The Times They Are a-Changin' [Original recording remastered]

Bob Dylan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 21, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0009MAP9A
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,489 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #19 in Music > Folk > Traditional Folk
  • #26 in Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > Singer-Songwriters
  • #42 in Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > General

Editorial Reviews

Dylan's first album comprised entirely of original compositions, the Times They Are A-Changin' is a solemn, often dark album depicting the unrest and discomfiting nature of the times.In many ways it is quintessential early Dylan with traditional protest songs, such as the trademark title track, following on from Freewheelin's 'Blowin' In The Wind', alongside other powerful and cutting songs of social injustice ('Only a Pawn in Their Game', The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll and With God On Our Side.'). Among the topical grimness, however, are some beautiful songs, including 'Boots of Spanish Leather' and 'One Too Many Mornings. 'It is an album reflecting uncertain times, and it is a turning point in his career; his Another Side follow-up a year later would see a much lighter and more humorous Dylan. With some of the most important Dylan songs ever recorded, this is an essential part of any music fan's collection. Columbia. 2005.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 88 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars They haven't stopped changing... September 23, 2005

By ewomack TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

As early as his third album Dylan started showing signs of the changeling artist that we know today. And we all know that he kept on changing and changing throughout the years. In fact, for Dylan the times never stopped changing. It remains true today.

Dylan's previous album from 1963, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", was funny and rollicking in places. The lighthearted struck a good balance with the morose. 1964 saw a new album with a totally new mood. "The Times They Are A-Changin'" shot wildly to the morose side of the spectrum. It contains mostly down and out stories of tragedy and "world gone wrong" tales. Nothing here inspires laughter or joy. The still very young Dylan weaves lyrics and tunes with the sensibility of one who has "seen it all and is sick of it". Regardless, this album remains one of Dylan's greatest albums, though its darkness may not appeal to everyone.

Dylan does his best Woody Guthrie impersonation on the cover (the photo almost completely mimics an early photo of Guthrie). To get a sense of just how much Dylan looked up to Guthrie, read Dylan's own "Chronicles, Vol. 1". There he speaks about the first time he heard Guthrie's music. He may as well be speaking about the rapture. The experience changed Dylan forever, and had a lasting influence on his music. "The Times Are A-Changin'" represents the pinnacle of that influence. One could almost call it a tribute to Guthrie's legacy (though admittedly Guthrie also had a well developed lighthearted side). Guthrie's own "Dust Bowl Ballads" evokes a similar mood to this album. Both albums take themselves very seriously and succeed incredibly.

This album put Dylan right in the spotlight of the then burgeoning folk-protest music movement. It's not hard to see why with calls to social revolution such as the title song. Many since have appropriated this song to their own ends. But it still remains Dylan's own. He continues to play it on tour in many forms and arrangements. "With God on Our Side" explores the history of the United States and the killing it did under the banner of "God". "One Too Many Mornings" seeps with weariness of life. "Only A Pawn in Their Game" explores power and class: the exploiters and the exploited and those who use people as a mere means to selfish ends. "Boots of Spanish Leather" uses the melody of "Girl From the North Country" to a different end. "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carol" revisits class and exploitation. A rich man gets off with a paltry penalty for killing one of his maids. The closing song, "Restless Farewell", mournfully expresses retribution and acceptance of the world as it is. It's an appropriate close to an album filled with stories about some of the worst life and civilization have to offer.

Following the dismal themes and yearning music of "The Times Are A-Changin'" Dylan turned slighty toward the humorously ridiculous on his next album. He never again made an album as seriously world weary as this one (though some defintely come close). Not only that, this album stands as his folk/protest swan song. In just one more year Dylan would appear with an electric band and get booed for his adventurousness. And then his lyrics started to take on more abstract, opaque, and poetic themes. In short, he soon began to move away and alienate himself from the folk scene. According to "Chronicles, Vol. 1" he had succeeded a little too well with the protest crowd. Some people started referring to him as "saviour". They demanded that he lead them. Dylan simply (and understandably) didn't want the job. So he left his main fan base and a few incredible albums behind him (and soon found a new fan base who listened to his new incredible albums).

"The Times They Are A-Changin'" remains one of the high points of Dylan's early acoustic "phase" that stretched from the beginning of his career to roughly 1965. It's constructed solidly and a theme with an unmistakable undertone runs through it. Whether people agree or disagree with its message in the end it inspires thought about some of the issues that affect all of us even to the present day.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A darker side of Bob Dylan January 10, 2007

By Elliot Knapp

Format:Audio CD

Dylan's third album finds him writing songs with a heavily political bent, taking ideas from newspapers and setting them to old and new folk melodies. Though it lacks some of "Freewheeling"s light-hearted moments, "Times" comes across as more mature, often more emotionally moving, and darker. The title track became a Dylan anthem and concert staple. "Ballad Of Hollis Brown" is one of my personal favorites--the folk guitar and brooding story are perfect, with a clever ending. "One Too Many Mornings" is a bit darker on this disc than on Nashville Skyline, but is also folkier. "Boots Of Spanish Leather" is an excellent and touching love song. "Hattie Carrol" is one of Dylan's most famous newspaper songs, and stirs feelings of racism and the fallibility of the justice system. The closer is somber and characteristic of the whole album, but I like the whole thing. Dylan's voice is good (better than on Another Side of Bob Dylan) and the songs fit well together in the album's scheme. This is Dylan's last protest album, and sees Dylan at the top of his protest period. Recommended if you like acoustic folk, and suggested that you take a few listens to let it really sink in!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes simple is better, a powerful album April 6, 2007

By Chet Fakir

Format:Audio CD

I must admit that I'm one of those people that just didn't get Dylan. I liked many of his songs but actually prefered the cover versions to the originals and being more into the music rather than the lyrics, really didn't see what the fuss was about. Well I've gone back and revisited Bob and now I get it, both his folk flavored material and his band oriented works.

On The Times They Are A-Changeing Dylan manages with just acoustic guitar, occasional harmonica and Bob's ragged voice, to make one of his most powerfully emotional albums. Perhaps the darkest of his career, certainly the starkest and it's just beautiful. Beautiful in it's simplicity and beautiful in the directness of the oftimes sad and timeless stories he tells.This is Dylan's most overt protest album, quietly yet powerfully raging against social injustice. Now while I very much like Dylan's band oriented material such as Highway 61 Revisited or Desire or Blonde On Blonde this album, Dylan's third, is a distilled essence of pure Dylan. There arn't any frills or fat, no drums or overdubs. It's just Bob and has become my favorite album by him.