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It is hard
to recall now how deeply unfashionable country music was
in 1969 - Dylan's label, Columbia, dismayed at his
apparent retrogression, begged him to remove the word
NASHVILLE from the album's title. However, as usual, he
proved ahead of the game; his embrace of country ushered
in Gram Parsons, the Flying Burrito Brothers and scores of
subsequent artists under the Americana banner. Prescient
too was his nod to Johnny Cash, with whom he duets on the
gorgeous "Girl From The North Country." Most
tracks are pleasant and enduring; the chart hit "Lay
Lady Lay" remains the Dylan song of choice for
non-fans.
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