I first heard this album when it was released via Starbucks in 2008 - I was not thinking too much about the significance of this album - but I was intrigued, thinking there would be at least a few cool songs.

How wrong I was - and so pleased I bought this album!

Its a kaleidoscope of influences - mostly American - covering blues, jazz , country ,European gypsy jazz ,swing and Hawaiian music.

So many were just artist names I recognized - but not totally familiar with the music.

Dig in to track one to hear Pee Wee Crayton swinging blues track “Do Unto Others” from 1954 and hear the opening guitar lick borrowed by John Lennon for “Revolution” in 1968.

Check out Gus Viseur the Belgian button accordionist and his swinging tune “Flambée Montalbanaise” from 1940 - as Dylan writes in the liner notes to this album :

“Whenever I hear a song like this , it doesn’t matter where I am or what the weather is like. Suddenly I’m on a rain soaked street in France underneath an awning, drinking an expresso noir with a beautiful raven-haired Parisian”

Indeed- you are transported to the Left Bank in Paris on a swinging soundscape of accordion!

Check out Jazz fiddler Stuff Smith and His Onyx Club Boys classic “I'se A Muggin’” from 1936 - and you are transported to a jazz club in 1930’s Manhattan - swinging jazz, wordplay and humor all rolled into one!

These are just a few examples.

It’s an album that leads you on a journey - digging into the back catalogs of a varied selection of genres and artists - that influenced countless more recent songwriters.

The sleeve notes by Dylan provide great context too.

Its a bit like peeking behind the curtain and hearing long forgotten musical styles - check it out, its a great album and highly rewarding!

More info here:

https://www.discogs.com/release/2927072-Various-Bob-Dylan-Music-That-Matters-To-Him