10 Greatest Acoustic Rock Albums

While the former Robert Zimmerman was almost a finished product on his first album, his 1963 follow up took gigantic steps forward. Freewheelin’ is one of the best showcases for Dylan’s earliest persona, with all but one song penned by the prolific talent and the tracks illustrating his ability with the personal and political in equal measure.

Dylan was at this time pigeonholed as a protest singer, and Freewheelin’ contains some charged gems. “Blowin’ In The Wind” remains one of the greatest pleas for peace ever recorded. “Oxford Town” is a tightly wound denouncement of racism, and “Masters Of War” a snarling condemnation of the powers that be.

The romantic stuff, though, is better still. “Girl From The North Country” is one of the sweetest, most sincere melodies Dylan ever wrote (though the Johnny Cash improves it). Better still is "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". Easily a top 10 Dylan song, the fingerpicked guitar glitters, and the wearily delivered lyrics are utterly heartbreaking and wise.

With such sparse instrumentation and a charismatic but limited voice, Dylan manages to explore all sides of his personality, from impish to insightful. It’s remarkable to release an album that’s so of its time and yet totally timeless.