(½) July 13, 1973. 12th Studio Album
Pretty much a throwaway, this soundtrack to the unremarkable movie of the same name consists primarily of instrumental themes for the film. However, it does feature the recorded debut of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” which alone is the saving grace to this record. Dylan himself performed in the movie as the character “Alias.” The original version of the film was completely reworked by studio MGM before its release, but 10 years later Sam Peckinpah’s director’s cut was released to much higher praise. As an aside, an outtake from the recording sessions of this album, “Rock Me Mama,” was later reworked by Old Crow Medicine Show into the song “Wagon Wheel,” which also became a hit for Darius Rucker and others.
I have this one ranked #26 as it does include the iconic “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.”