‘New Morning’ is a Great Morning Album

So you enjoy Bob Dylan? Alright, do you also enjoy melody and good singing?

Well then, I’ve got the Dylan album you’ve been searching for. It’s called New Morning.

New Morning is an album no one talks about, and I can understand why. It’s soft Dylan, like Paul McCartney and a piano with Dylan’s lyrics (no need to worry about “Jenny Wren” or “Obla-Di, Obla-Da”). There’s a Gospel influence which reminds me of 80’s Leonard Cohen, and no sign of electric blues which might be a bad thing if this album wasn’t so tenderly crafted.

“Went To See The Gypsy” is my favorite Dylan song. The simple electric piano sounds great and the lyrics are meaningful but more accessible than a lot of other Dylan. Plus, you’ve got George Harrison adding his guitar work, and the combination doesn’t get much better. “Sign On a Window” is a beautiful minor key ditty, with some serious melody and a passionate middle eight. Another surprising gem is “Three Angels,” a spoken word organ-based song with a lot of juice in it.

This album is the most underrated in his catalog. As good as Blood on the Tracks, and you can taste Al Kooper’s influence on the whole affair. I couldn’t recommend a better chill out album.