Bob's first fully original album (albeit his third LP) was proof of his genius songwriting when he actually attempted to be himself in his music rather than mimicking Woody Guthrie as he did in his eponymous debut. It his regarded amongst his early folk LP's, amongst the lauded Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, which many believe to be better than Times, though I think I prefer The Times They Are A-Changin' for the simplicity of it, the rooted folk music so obviously learnt within the space of two years since his first LP. It not only works on a level of folk music, but acts as an instrument of social change throughout the 1960's, with songs about racism and poverty, it represents such a strong movement in human thought, for liberal thinking and a change in us as people.
Out of ten songs, the title track is easily the best, with its memorable poetic lyrics and ominous leadership sounding us to follow in the tide of change, and calling for us all to realise the change happening in the world and ourselves. With such a powerful message coming out of the mouth of a 22 year old, he was way ahead of everyone else, and is no surprise everyone hung at his every word.
The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll is another favourite of mine, with it's simple chords of C major, A minor, E minor, which was one of the only songs of his I learnt to play. It is a sad song with a story about a woman who was murdered out of a racial attack. I think this kind of song highlighted what was going on at the time, no one wanted to hear it, but they had to listen, because those kinds of things were actually happening.
I bought this album from Hairy Records in Liverpool. I had just started buying records and wanted a Bob Dylan one. I found this one hidden between Saved and some other one, which I have no qualms with (Saved is actually a good album) but Times is understandably an early masterpiece.
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