"Self Portrait" the tenth studio album by the iconic American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, arrived on June 8, 1970, via Columbia Records. Serving as Dylan's second double album after "Blonde on Blonde," it presented a departure from his earlier work, featuring numerous cover versions of popular pop and folk songs alongside original compositions and instrumentals. Notably, Dylan employed a country crooning voice reminiscent of his previous album, "Nashville Skyline."
However, the album was met with scathing reviews, with critics viewing it as intentionally surreal and satirical. Dylan himself has described "Self Portrait" as somewhat of a joke, deliberately diverging from the high standards he had set in the 1960s and seeking to shed the "spokesman of a generation" label placed upon him by critics.
Despite the critical backlash, "Self Portrait" achieved commercial success, quickly attaining gold certification in the US and reaching No. 4 on the charts. It also secured the top spot in the UK. Over time, the album experienced a re-evaluation, especially with the release of "The Bootleg Series Vol. 10: Another Self Portrait (1969–1971)" in 2013, which offered a new perspective on the material and highlighted its artistic value.
