Album Review: Bob Dylan’s 1960s Broadcasts Hard Times Ramblin’ Round
Released in 2016 by the UK-based label Let Them Eat Vinyl, Bob Dylan’s 1960s Broadcasts Hard Times Ramblin’ Round is a treasure trove of blues, folk, and country vibes with a dash of world music thrown in for good measure. This compilation feels like stumbling upon an old vinyl in your grandparents’ attic—crackly, nostalgic, yet oddly alive. It’s not perfect, but that’s kinda the charm.
The album features tracks recorded during Dylan’s formative years, capturing his raw talent and unpolished delivery. Among the standout tunes are A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall and Baby Let Me Follow You Down. Both songs remind you why Dylan became such a big deal in the first place.
Take A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall, for instance. The lyrics hit hard—it’s poetry set to music, really. Lines like “I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains” stick with you long after the song ends. It’s haunting, almost apocalyptic, and makes you think about life in a way only Dylan can pull off. The track has this gritty, live feel, as if you’re sitting right there in some smoky Greenwich Village coffeehouse, listening to him strum away.
Then there’s Baby Let Me Follow You Down. This one’s got a looser, bluesier vibe compared to the heavy introspection of Hard Rain. It’s upbeat enough to make you tap your foot, but it still carries that unmistakable Dylan edge. His voice cracks here and there, and honestly? That’s what makes it so real. It’s less about perfection and more about emotion, which is something modern music often forgets.
Credit where it’s due—the mastering job by GREG @ FINYL TWEEK deserves a shout-out. The lacquer cut brings out the warmth of these recordings without over-polishing them. You can hear every creak and groan, and trust me, that’s exactly how it should be.
What strikes me most about this album is how timeless it feels. Sure, it came out in 2016, but these tracks were born decades ago. Listening to it now feels like stepping into a time machine, except instead of futuristic gadgets, you find yourself surrounded by harmonicas, acoustic guitars, and Dylan’s unmistakable rasp.
Here’s the thing though—if Bob Dylan were starting out today, would he even get signed? Probably not. He’s too weird, too unconventional, too… well, Dylan. But maybe that’s what makes his music so special. It doesn’t try to fit in; it just is. And isn’t that what art’s supposed to do?
So yeah, give this album a spin if you’re into folk, blues, or just wanna hear something that sounds like it was dug up from another era. Just don’t expect anything flashy. This is Dylan at his most authentic—and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Oh, and one last thought: Whoever decided to include Omie Wise on this tracklist clearly knows their stuff. That song alone could start—or end—an argument about justice, fate, and everything in between.
