Bob Dylan

Released in March 1962, Bob Dylan's self-titled debut is a foundational document of the 1960s folk revival. Produced by John Hammond at Columbia Records, the album was recorded in just three short afternoon sessions. At the time, Dylan was a fixture of the Greenwich Village folk scene, and the tracklist reflects his live repertoire: a mix of traditional folk, blues, and gospel standards. Only two original compositions appear: 'Talkin' New York,' which chronicles his arrival in the city, and 'Song to Woody,' a heartfelt tribute to his idol Woody Guthrie. Sonically, the album is defined by Dylan's aggressive acoustic guitar style and his idiosyncratic, piercing harmonica playing. While it was not a commercial success upon release - earning the nickname 'Hammond's Folly' within Columbia - it captures the raw, unpolished talent of an artist before he pivoted to the surrealist songwriting that would define his career. It stands as a bridge between the traditionalist folk world and the modern singer-songwriter era.