291 - Bob Dylan and The Band - The Basement Tapes

I was thrown a little off kilter by The Basement Tapes. The collection caused more questions and confusion than revelation to me. There are songs that sound like a collaboration and songs that seem to be all The Band. Who deserves credit for what aspects? And I'm not even going to go into the controversies I read online about The Band songs actually being recorded after the basement tape sessions in Woodstock, whether The Band was still riding Bob's coattails with this album release in the mid-70's, or the songs recorded in Woodstock that weren't included in this album.

It is very safe to say that this album lays forth the template of what would eventually be labeled "Americana" and inspired groups such as Uncle Tupelo/Wilco/Son Volt. Many songs are built upon a country shuffle and get a liberal sprinkling of organ. Ignoring the issues I mentioned in the first paragraph, there is a unity in the style and attitude of the music.

I can't help but think that the album is where it is in the list more because of the sound of the music and its role as inspiring others to pursue this style rather than anything particularly great about the album. Yes, there are many good songs, but there are only a few on the album that stood out to me. The threshold between my "liking" a song and just finding it "okay" could easily alter the "Songs I didn't know but now like" answer from a couple to around 6.

Songs I knew I liked: None - Not counting my familiarity with the cover of "This Wheel's on Fire" used for the Absolutely Fabulous theme song.

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Odds and Ends" and "Katie's Been Gone,"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: I wouldn't cry if I never heard any of these songs again, but I wouldn't rebuff anyone that wanted to play the album in my presence.