"Dylan" is the thirteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on November 16, 1973. The album consists of outtakes from previous recording sessions, compiled by Columbia Records without any input from Dylan. It came out after Dylan had left Columbia for Asylum Records, and it was released just before his first major tour since 1966. In Europe, the album was re-released in January 1991 under the title Dylan (A Fool Such as I).
The album primarily contains material recorded during the sessions for Dylan’s 1970 albums Self Portrait and New Morning. It includes a mix of six cover songs and three traditional songs that Dylan had adapted. The first seven tracks were recorded in June 1970 during the New Morning sessions, while the remaining two were recorded in April 1969 during the Self Portrait sessions. One of the highlights is a different version of "Spanish Is the Loving Tongue," which had previously been released as the B-side to Dylan's 1971 single "Watching the River Flow."
The album cover was designed by art director John Berg, with a photograph taken by Al Clayton. The serigraph on the cover was executed by artist Richard Kenerson.
Though Dylan was not a major commercial success or critically acclaimed upon its release, it remains a notable part of Dylan's catalog, offering insight into his creative process and the development of some of his earlier works. The album was largely seen as a collection of leftovers, but it has since gained a certain historical significance, especially for fans and collectors interested in hearing more from the Self Portrait and New Morning sessions.
