Not including live albums and greatest hits collections, Bob Dylan has released 39 albums over the past 47 years. I own 31 of them. And today we arrive chronologically at the first Dylan album that isn’t in my collection.
Self Portrait is perhaps the most infamous of all Dylan releases. It was released in 1970 at a pivotal point in his career, a time when fans and non-fans alike were holding their breath to see which direction he’d choose to go next.
To recap: Dylan burst out of the gate as a protest singer labeled the voice of his generation; he turned his back on that scene by recording an album of introspective relationship songs; he then further alienated the folk scene by going electric, releasing three of the most acclaimed albums in history and essentially inventing the folk-rock genre; following a motorcycle accident, he retreated from the spotlight and recorded an album of simple country-flavored morality tales; he then embraced country music completely on his next release.
So what next? Well, the consensus at the time was that he released his very worst album.
The Rolling Stone review of Self Portrait opened this way: “What is this shit?” A book of the worst rock albums of all time ranked it third and claimed it “suggested the end of Bob Dylan.”
Dylan himself has been typically vague about the meaning of Self Portrait. He once claimed it was a deliberate attempt to alienate fans and critics alike so that he could finally be left alone to live his life unexamined. But he’s also suggested that it was in some ways his first “official” bootleg release, a collection of odds and ends not unlike the homemade compilations his fans were passing around.
So what does this famously bad album sound like? Well, I’ll save that topic for tomorrow. For a taste, here’s Dylan’s version of an oft-covered 60s song called ‘Let It Be Me.’
I want my arms around you
And so I beg you: Let it be me.
Don’t take this heaven from one
If you must cling to someone
Now and forever, let it be me.
Each time we meet, love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love,
what would life be ?
So never leave me lonely
Tell me that you love me only
And say you’ll always let it be me.
Meet Me In Montauk 
Self Portrait is a beautiful collection of songs in which Dylan recorded with passion and care. His singing stands in sharp contrast to critics who had long ridiculed his voice.
Interaction with Dylan fans via message boards reveals a divergence between paid critics and fans with most Dylan admirers listing Self Portrait among his best work.
For a man who still shines at 70, Self Portrait is a great example of Dylan’s vocal range.
So in our age old musician/filmmaker debate, this would be the album that would cause you to “rank” Dylan lower than the up and coming musicians who had only released a great album or two, right? 😉
I’m curious why you’re giving us a cover as our first sample of this controversial album. Does it consist of more covers than original material? This is certainly an odd cover; the backing vocals are particularly jarring. I can see why critics and fans alike would neither expect nor welcome a song such as this one, but I’m curious what else is on this album. Do tell….
Yes, it’s mostly covers. More to come tomorrow.
I’m not sure that I knew about this retreat to further mediocrity in the early 70’s. I did know, however, that the mid 70’s albums are amongst my favorites and then he went all religious by the 80’s.
i guess Dylan kept the Kermit voice going for awhile–obviously not a sound I like, so I suspect I would not care much for this album if he remained in Kermit mode.
You own 31 Dylan albums? I do love these lyrics.
I like the Kermit voice (though it’s not my favorite of his voices). Not sure I see the Kermit similarity, though I like the concept enough to go with it.
Self Portrait would have been better as a single LP rather than a double. One version of Little Sadie, one version of Alberta, the live Isle Of Wight tracks (except possibly Minstrel Boy) and Woogie Boogie could have been omitted without anyone complaining.
On the other hand there are some spine tingly beautiful tracks on the album. I’m thinking of Take Me As I Am, I Forgot More, Belle Isle, Let It Be Me, Take A Message To Mary, Copper Kettle and Blue Moon. There are also his new compositions Living The Blues and the infectuously catchy Wigwam.
It’s a lighter album than most others he’s done but none the worse for that. I certainly don’t regard it as being “shit”and certainly not his worst album.
This may be the first blog commentary written by someone who doesn’t own every album available! 🙂
most will reference unreleased songs as readily as officially released material; no longer denoting difference.
These are the songs Dylan wanted us to hear. It is the portrait he wanted us to see.
I agree about the backing vocals on some. I’d love to hear the album “stripped down”.
Interesting post and comments!
I love how Peg is shocked as to how many Dylan albums you own while Peter is equally shocked that you don’t own them all.:)