[.ca] Nashville Skyline (Rm)

Very pleasant -- but only 27.12 minutes duration:
One of the nice surprises about early Dylan albums is how many of them breach the 50-minute mark (e.g. THE FREEWHEELIN'). So it comes as a shock to find that this album (recorded in both 1963 and 1969, according to the sleeve) contains less than 28 minutes of music. That said, this is the album in which Dylan proved that he could sing in a more-or-less conventional way. And it was also the ground-breaker that cleared the way for all sorts of country-rock crossover bands such as Poco, the Eagles, Gram Parsons etc. For those new to the album, the tune you probably know -- 'Lay Lady Lay' -- is not the best here. It was really nice to hear the other nine songs which are completely new to me, some of which are cos-ung with Johnny Cash.

Surprising recording.:
The record that legitimized Johnny Cash for the hippy set. Rediculous! Cash was already passed his best music and a legend. This just shows Dylan's respect for him and it was a great thing Dylan did recording a duet with Cash on "Girl from the North Country".. Dylan had just recovered from a bad motorcycle accident.

Seems slight to me:
This is an OK album - but it's criminally short. It's a great idea and Bob's voice never sounded...well...like this. But it's not a good value and some of it sounds tossed off to me.

Relax....enjoy..:
For certain serious Dylan disciples,ie the type that might derive greatest pleasure in the decoding of arcane lyrical wordplay buried deep inside layers of surrealistic imagery,'Nashville Skyline'just might not get the job done. It's a simple pleasure, and although a few of the songs here certainly have a bit of a 'toss off' quality about them ('Country Pie','Nashville Skyline Rag'),after recording a string of materpieces, Bob had surely earned the right to indulge a little, and for most listeners, Dylan fan or not,the result is a real gem, a truly pleasurable, albeit short (28min)listening experience.It might even put a smile on your face. But if you really can't come to terms with Bob seemingly enjoying himself, just for you 'serious' listeners, it still contains a couple of songs that wouldn't have been too out of place on any one of his acknowledged classics,namely, 'I Threw It All Away', 'Lay Lady Lay'. Buy it and enjoy.

Country Pie Indeed:
This record is, of course, Dylan's foray into country. Those who might cringe at the word "country" may be inclined to skip this one, but in doing so they would miss one of his better works. Yes, his voice is different on this one, and the run time is slight, but it is arguably one of Dylan's most consistent and satisfying albums; very light and breezy. Among the key tracks on this one are "Girl From the North Country" (with Johnny Cash), "I Threw It All Away," "Lay Lady Lay," and "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You." Good solid stuff.

• Girl from the North Country - Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan
• Nashville Skyline Rag
• To Be Alone With You
• I Threw It All Away
• Peggy Day
• Lay Lady Lay
• One More Night
• Tell Me That It Isn't True
• Country Pie
• Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You