New Morning
By 1970, after his infamous motorcycle accident and a mess of an album calledSelf-Portrait, Dylan had lost his remarkable consistency, but not his talent.New Morning, a collection of songs that lacks the urgency of the singer's '60s material or the country cohesiveness ofNashville Skyline, is nonetheless rewarding in a laid-back way. Dylan, still affecting his low Johnny Cash imitation, sings strongly on the piano-heavy "Winterlude." "If Not For You and "Time Passes Slowly," which never became signature songs by any means, are two of his most underrated performances.  Cocktail jazz piano and Martha Stewart's background scat-singing on "If Dogs Run Free" add to the album's experimental spirit.--Steve Knopper