On this day in music history . . . . . . . 

 On this day in music history: December 27, 1967 - “John Wesley Harding”, the eighth studio album by Bob Dylan is released. Produced by Bob Johnston, it is recorded at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, TN from October 17 - November 29, 1967. The sparsely arranged songs come out a of prolific writing period while Dylan is recovering from a serious motorcycle accident more than a year before, with other life changing events occurring, such as the birth his second child and losses of his father and musical mentor, legendary folk musician Woody Guthrie. During the same period, Dylan also records a number of tracks with The Band (at Big Pink in upstate NY), though not included on the new album later surface on the album “The Basement Tapes” in 1975. The album includes several classics including his original version of “All Along The Watchtower” (covered by Jimi Hendrix the following year). Dylan asks Columbia to release the album with minimal promotion or fanfare (not even releasing a single from it) following widespread media speculation about his whereabouts during the year he virtually disappears from the public spotlight. It is also the final Dylan album to be issued with separate mono and stereo mixes, with the mono version being discontinued shortly after its release. The album is remastered and reissued in 2003 as as a hybrid SACD, that is eventually discontinued and issued as a standard redbook CD. Audiophile label Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab also reissues the title as a hybrid SACD in and double vinyl set mastered at 45 RPM (stereo versions in 2015 and the mono versions in 2017). “John Wesley Harding” spends four weeks at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves

A favourite then and a favourite still. I think this was my brother Steve's purchase as opposed to mine but it counts to me as I was totally mesmerised, transfixed, transported by this album and it still holds an exceptionally particular place in my heart. Extraordinary story telling and the tone of the album is totally unique and unlike any other recorded work IMHO. It still makers me feel quite peculiar,  in the literal sense. Extraordinary work and the text on the back and the photo on the front continue to fascinate and hold me in thrall. 

Who ARE those guys?