Released just four months after the critical mauling that Self Portrait received, Bob Dylan’s New Morning arrived in October 1970. One of the highlights of the album is the piano and organ work of Al Kooper. “If Not For You”, the first track and only single released from the album is a country sounding, upbeat track. “Went to See the Gypsy” has a nice piano/organ groove with terrific guitar licks while “Sign in the Window” is another solid piano led track where Dylan sings of a more straightforward life – “build me a cabin in Utah/Marry me a wife, catch rainbow trout”.
In June 1970, Dylan received an honourary degree from Princeton University which is recalled with little joy in the lyrics of “Day of the Locusts”. “The benches were stained with tears and perspiration” before “the locusts sang such a sweet melody”. “The Man in Me” would later feature in the movie The Big Lubowski. “Winterlude” has an old timely feel with some nice sounding Spanish guitar picking, less winningly “If Dogs Run Free” is a jazz take featuring scat singing from Maretha Stewart, it is absolutely atrocious.
At the time, New Morning was seen as a return to form by the critics. Really, it is nowhere near the heights of his 60s work and with no truly great songs, it works as a cool singer songwriter album from the burgeoning new 70s decade. “If Not For You” is the only notable song from this album, later covered by both George Harrison and Olivia Newton for her first album. The rest is for those wanting a deeper dive.
7.5/10
The Light Appears 
Dylan’s old work like this song always reminds me of going to the beach with my oldest brother and his girlfriend. Haven’t heard this in a long time. Thanks for sharing your review.