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The Essential Bob Dylan

by Bob Dylan

Released: October 31, 2000

Folk, rock, country

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Award.

The Album

"The Essential Bob Dylan" is a compilation album by Bob Dylan, released in 2000 as the first entry in Sony Music's "The Essential" double-disc series. The album features tracks from 1963's "Blowin' in the Wind" (from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan) to 2000's "Things Have Changed," which won an Oscar for its use in the film Wonder Boys. The compilation has been a strong seller in Dylan's catalog, reaching No. 67 in the U.S. and peaking at No. 9 in the UK.

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Interesting Facts

The British and Australian editions include all tracks…

The British and Australian editions include all tracks from the U.S. version along with additional songs.

It has been reissued in 2009 and 2016…

It has been reissued in 2009 and 2016 with varying track listings.

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Essential Tracks

Blowin' in the Wind

The album features tracks from 1963's "Blowin' in the Wind" (from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan) to 2000's "Things Have Changed," which won an Oscar for its use in the film Wonder Boys.

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Bob Dylan - The Essential Bob Dylan

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The Complete Album Story

The compilation has been a strong seller in Dylan's catalog, reaching No. 67 in the U.S. and peaking at No. 9 in the UK. The British and Australian editions include all tracks from the U.S. version along with additional songs. It has been reissued in 2009 and 2016 with varying track listings.