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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It was released on May 27, 1963, through Columbia Records. The record marks the beginning of Dylan's writing contemporary lyrics to traditional melodies. His debut album Bob Dylan contains only two original songs, whereas eleven of the thirteen songs on Freewheelin' are Dylan's compositions. It opens with "Blowin' in the Wind", which became an anthem of the 1960s, and an international hit for folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary soon after the release of the album. The album featured several other songs which came to be regarded as among Dylan's best compositions and classics of the 1960s folk scene: "Girl from the North Country", "Masters of War", "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". Dylan's lyrics embraced news stories drawn from headlines about the ongoing civil rights movement and he articulated anxieties about the fear of nuclear warfare. Balancing this political material were love songs, sometimes bitter and accusatory, and material that features surreal humor. Freewheelin' showcased Dylan's songwriting talent for the first time, propelling him to national and international fame. The success of the album and Dylan's subsequent recognition led to his being named as "Spokesman of a Generation", a label Dylan repudiated. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan reached number 22 in the US (eventually going platinum), and became a number-one album in the UK in 1965. In 2003, the album was ranked number 97 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". In 2002, Freewheelin' was one of the first 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Infobox

Released
May 27, 1963
Recorded
July 9, 1962 – April 24, 1963
Studio
Columbia A (New York City)
Genre
Folk blues
Length
50:04
Label
Columbia
Producer
John Hammond Tom Wilson

Tables

· Outtakes
"Baby, I'm in the Mood for You"
"Baby, I'm in the Mood for You"
Title
"Baby, I'm in the Mood for You"
Status
Released on Biograph and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes, issued by Resurfaced Records in 2018
"Baby, Please Don't Go" (Big Joe Williams)
"Baby, Please Don't Go" (Big Joe Williams)
Title
"Baby, Please Don't Go" (Big Joe Williams)
Status
Released on iTunes' Exclusive Outtakes From No Direction Home EP and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Corrine, Corrina"
"Corrine, Corrina"
Title
"Corrine, Corrina"
Status
Two alternative takes released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Ballad of Hollis Brown"
"Ballad of Hollis Brown"
Title
"Ballad of Hollis Brown"
Status
Freewheelin' sessions recordings released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018. Re-recorded for Dylan's next album, The Times They Are a-Changin'. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964 Dylan and Mike Seeger recorded a duet version for Seeger's album Third Annual Farewell Reunion (Rounder Records, 1994).
"The Death of Emmett Till"
"The Death of Emmett Till"
Title
"The Death of Emmett Till"
Status
Freewheelin' sessions recordings released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes, issued by Resurfaced Records in 2018. Recording for "Broadside Show" on WBAI-FM, May 1962, released on Folkways Records' Broadside Ballads, Vol. 6: Broadside Reunion under pseudonym Blind Boy Grunt. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964
"Hero Blues"
"Hero Blues"
Title
"Hero Blues"
Status
Freewheelin' sessions recordings unreleased. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964
"Going to New Orleans"
"Going to New Orleans"
Title
"Going to New Orleans"
Status
Released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes, issued by Resurfaced Records in 2018. Takes 1 and 2 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1)
"(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle" (Hank Williams, Jimmie Davis)
"(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle" (Hank Williams, Jimmie Davis)
Title
"(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle" (Hank Williams, Jimmie Davis)
Status
Released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018. (Take 2 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1)
"Kingsport Town" (traditional)
"Kingsport Town" (traditional)
Title
"Kingsport Town" (traditional)
Status
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Let Me Die in My Footsteps"
"Let Me Die in My Footsteps"
Title
"Let Me Die in My Footsteps"
Status
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Milk Cow's Calf's Blues" (Robert Johnson)
"Milk Cow's Calf's Blues" (Robert Johnson)
Title
"Milk Cow's Calf's Blues" (Robert Johnson)
Status
Released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018. (Takes 1, 3, and 4 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1)
"Mixed-Up Confusion"
"Mixed-Up Confusion"
Title
"Mixed-Up Confusion"
Status
Released as a single, but quickly withdrawn. Later released in 1985 on Biograph and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Quit Your Lowdown Ways"
"Quit Your Lowdown Ways"
Title
"Quit Your Lowdown Ways"
Status
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Rambling, Gambling Willie"
"Rambling, Gambling Willie"
Title
"Rambling, Gambling Willie"
Status
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Rocks and Gravel"
"Rocks and Gravel"
Title
"Rocks and Gravel"
Status
Studio version released on soundtrack CD of US TV series True Detective episode one, ("The Long Bright Dark" 2014). Acoustic version released as a live recording from The Gaslight Cafe, October 1962, on Live at the Gaslight 1962 (Takes 2 and 3 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1 and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.)
"Sally Gal"
"Sally Gal"
Title
"Sally Gal"
Status
Released on No Direction Home: The Bootleg Series Vol. 7. Two takes released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues"
"Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues"
Title
"Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues"
Status
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Talkin' Hava Negiliah Blues"
"Talkin' Hava Negiliah Blues"
Title
"Talkin' Hava Negiliah Blues"
Status
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues"
"Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues"
Title
"Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues"
Status
Freewheelin' sessions recordings released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes, issued by Resurfaced Records in 2018. Released as a live recording from Carnegie Hall, October 26, 1963, on The Bootleg Series 1–3. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964
"That's All Right (Mama)"(Arthur Crudup)
"That's All Right (Mama)"(Arthur Crudup)
Title
"That's All Right (Mama)"(Arthur Crudup)
Status
Two takes released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018. (Takes 1, 3, 5 and "Remake Overdub CO76893-3" released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1)
"Walls of Red Wing"
"Walls of Red Wing"
Title
"Walls of Red Wing"
Status
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Whatcha Gonna Do"
"Whatcha Gonna Do"
Title
"Whatcha Gonna Do"
Status
Freewheelin' sessions recordings unreleased. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964 and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Wichita (Goin' to Louisiana)" (traditional)
"Wichita (Goin' to Louisiana)" (traditional)
Title
"Wichita (Goin' to Louisiana)" (traditional)
Status
Unreleased (Takes 1 and 2 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1 and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.)
"Worried Blues" (traditional)
"Worried Blues" (traditional)
Title
"Worried Blues" (traditional)
Status
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
Title
Status
"Baby, I'm in the Mood for You"
Released on Biograph and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes, issued by Resurfaced Records in 2018
"Baby, Please Don't Go" (Big Joe Williams)
Released on iTunes' Exclusive Outtakes From No Direction Home EP and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Corrine, Corrina"
Two alternative takes released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Ballad of Hollis Brown"
Freewheelin' sessions recordings released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018. Re-recorded for Dylan's next album, The Times They Are a-Changin'. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964 Dylan and Mike Seeger recorded a duet version for Seeger's album Third Annual Farewell Reunion (Rounder Records, 1994).
"The Death of Emmett Till"
Freewheelin' sessions recordings released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes, issued by Resurfaced Records in 2018. Recording for "Broadside Show" on WBAI-FM, May 1962, released on Folkways Records' Broadside Ballads, Vol. 6: Broadside Reunion under pseudonym Blind Boy Grunt. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964
"Hero Blues"
Freewheelin' sessions recordings unreleased. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964
"Going to New Orleans"
Released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes, issued by Resurfaced Records in 2018. Takes 1 and 2 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1)
"(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle" (Hank Williams, Jimmie Davis)
Released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018. (Take 2 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1)
"Kingsport Town" (traditional)
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Let Me Die in My Footsteps"
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Milk Cow's Calf's Blues" (Robert Johnson)
Released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018. (Takes 1, 3, and 4 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1)
"Mixed-Up Confusion"
Released as a single, but quickly withdrawn. Later released in 1985 on Biograph and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Quit Your Lowdown Ways"
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Rambling, Gambling Willie"
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Rocks and Gravel"
Studio version released on soundtrack CD of US TV series True Detective episode one, ("The Long Bright Dark" 2014). Acoustic version released as a live recording from The Gaslight Cafe, October 1962, on Live at the Gaslight 1962 (Takes 2 and 3 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1 and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.)
"Sally Gal"
Released on No Direction Home: The Bootleg Series Vol. 7. Two takes released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues"
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Talkin' Hava Negiliah Blues"
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues"
Freewheelin' sessions recordings released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes, issued by Resurfaced Records in 2018. Released as a live recording from Carnegie Hall, October 26, 1963, on The Bootleg Series 1–3. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964
"That's All Right (Mama)"(Arthur Crudup)
Two takes released on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018. (Takes 1, 3, 5 and "Remake Overdub CO76893-3" released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1)
"Walls of Red Wing"
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
"Whatcha Gonna Do"
Freewheelin' sessions recordings unreleased. Demo version released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964 and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.
"Wichita (Goin' to Louisiana)" (traditional)
Unreleased (Takes 1 and 2 released on The 50th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1 and on The Freewheelin' Outtakes in 2018.)
"Worried Blues" (traditional)
Released on The Bootleg Series 1–3
Professional ratings · Release
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Review scores
AllMusic
Review scores
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Review scores
Entertainment Weekly
Review scores
A−
MusicHound Rock
MusicHound Rock
Review scores
MusicHound Rock
Review scores
4.5/5
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
Tom Hull
Tom Hull
Review scores
Tom Hull
Review scores
A−
Review scores
Source
Rating
AllMusic
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Entertainment Weekly
A−
MusicHound Rock
4.5/5
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Tom Hull
A−
· Charts
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1963)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
22
Chart (1965)
Chart (1965)
Chart (1963)
Chart (1965)
Peakposition
Peakposition
UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
Chart (1963)
UK Albums Chart
Peakposition
1
Chart (2020)
Chart (2020)
Chart (1963)
Chart (2020)
Peakposition
Peakposition
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Chart (1963)
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Peakposition
33
Chart (1963)
Peakposition
US Billboard 200
22
Chart (1965)
Peakposition
UK Albums Chart
1
Chart (2020)
Peakposition
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
33
· Certifications
United Kingdom (BPI) 2004 release
United Kingdom (BPI) 2004 release
Region
United Kingdom (BPI) 2004 release
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
300,000‡
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) 2004 release
Platinum
300,000‡
United States (RIAA)
Platinum
1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. Rotolo writes that "my mother did not approve of Bob at all. He paid her no homage and she paid him none". Rotolo suspec
  2. An important recording of Dylan playing traditional material was taped in Beecher's apartment in December 1961. Misnamed
  3. Gilliland 1969, show 31, track 3.
  4. Scaduto 2001, p. 110
  5. Gray 2006, pp. 243–244
  6. Heylin 2000, pp. 88–89
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  14. Sing Out!, October–November 1962, quoted in Sounes 2001, p. 122
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  16. Heylin 1996, p. 30
  17. Heylin 1996, p. 29
  18. Heylin 1996, p. 32
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