Chasing a “complete” Bob Dylan discography is like chasing the wind—it’s elusive, frustrating, and strangely beautiful. At 320 kbps, it’s the most practical way to own the chaos. You lose the warmth of vinyl, but you gain the ability to jump from “Like a Rolling Stone” (1965) to “Dirt Road Blues” (1997) in one click.
If you find this collection, grab it. Then spend a month getting lost. Just remember: Dylan once said, “A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.”
In between, I want to listen to 53 years of Bob Dylan.
Have you listened to a complete discography like this? Did you survive the 1980s Christian period? Let me know in the comments.
You're looking for a comprehensive collection of Bob Dylan's music. Here's what I found:
Bob Dylan Complete Discography 1959-2012
This collection includes all of Bob Dylan's studio albums, live albums, EPs, and compilations from 1959 to 2012. I've verified that the collection includes:
Studio Albums:
Live Albums:
Compilations:
EPs:
Features:
Specifications:
Please note that this collection may not include every single rare or unreleased track, but it covers the majority of Bob Dylan's work from 1959 to 2012.
Building a "complete" guide for 's output between 1959 and 2012 (often referenced in high-quality 320kbps collections) covers the most transformative eras of popular music. This timeline spans from his earliest home tapes to the release of Tempest. 1. The Early Folk Era (1959–1964)
Before the fame, Dylan was a student of the American folk tradition. This period covers his move to Greenwich Village and his emergence as the "voice of a generation."
Early Recordings (1959–1961): Includes the Minnesota Hotel Tapes and early home recordings featuring covers of Woody Guthrie.
Bob Dylan (1962): His debut album, primarily featuring folk and blues covers.
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963): The breakthrough, containing "Blowin' in the Wind". Original pressings of this record are among the rarest in the world.
The Times They Are a-Changin' (1964): His most overtly political acoustic work.
Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964): A move toward more personal, surrealist lyricism. 2. The Electric Revolution (1965–1966)
Perhaps the most famous pivot in music history, where Dylan traded his acoustic guitar for a Fender Stratocaster.
Bringing It All Back Home (1965): Half-acoustic, half-electric, featuring "Subterranean Homesick Blues."
Highway 61 Revisited (1965): Features "Like a Rolling Stone," often cited as one of his greatest tracks.
Blonde on Blonde (1966): A double-album masterpiece recorded in Nashville, known for its "thin, wild mercury sound". 3. The Reclusive & Roots Years (1967–1973)
Following a 1966 motorcycle accident, Dylan retreated to Woodstock and explored Americana and country.
The Basement Tapes (Recorded 1967): Collaborative sessions with The Band that defined the "Americana" genre.
John Wesley Harding (1967): A sparse, biblical-themed return to acoustic sounds.
Nashville Skyline (1969): A full country pivot, featuring a distinct, smoother vocal style.
Self Portrait & New Morning (1970): Experimental years that saw him grappling with his public image. 4. The Mid-70s Masterpieces (1974–1978) bob dylan complete discography 19592012 320
Dylan returned to the spotlight with some of the most acclaimed writing of his career.
Blood on the Tracks (1975): Widely considered his greatest album, detailing the disintegration of a relationship.
Desire (1976): Known for the protest song "Hurricane" and the Rolling Thunder Revue tour.
Street-Legal (1978): A more lushly produced, big-band sound. 5. The "Born Again" Trilogy (1979–1981)
A controversial period where Dylan converted to Christianity and released three gospel-focused albums. Slow Train Coming (1979) Saved (1980) Shot of Love (1981) 6. The "Never Ending" Evolution (1983–2012)
After a rocky 1980s, Dylan saw a massive critical resurgence starting in the late 90s.
Infidels (1983): A return to secular rock, produced by Mark Knopfler.
Oh Mercy (1989): A moody, atmospheric collaboration with Daniel Lanois.
Time Out of Mind (1997): His "comeback" album that won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Love and Theft (2001) & Modern Times (2006): Deep dives into blues, rockabilly, and jazz.
Tempest (2012): The final album in this specific 1959–2012 guide, known for its dark, cinematic storytelling. Essential "Bootleg Series" Context
To truly have a "complete" collection for this period, listeners often include The Bootleg Series
. These volumes (starting in 1991) unearthed vital unreleased tracks, such as:
Vol. 1-3 (Rare & Unreleased): Essential outtakes from the 60s and 70s. Vol. 4: Live 1966: The famous "Royal Albert Hall" concert.
Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs: Deep dives into his 1989–2006 resurgence.
Every Bob Dylan Album Ranked From Worst to Best - Paste Magazine
The most definitive release matching a comprehensive collection of
's work from 1962 (his debut) through 2012 (Tempest) is The Complete Album Collection Vol. One, released in November 2013 by Columbia Records. This set specifically includes 35 studio albums, 6 live albums, and a unique two-disc compilation titled Side Tracks for non-album material.
Notably for high-quality audio seekers, a limited-edition version was released on a harmonica-shaped USB stick that provided the entire collection in both 320 kbps MP3 and lossless FLAC formats. Complete Studio Albums (1962–2012)
This set includes all 35 studio albums, spanning from his 1962 debut to Tempest (2012), covering major eras like the '60s folk-rock (Freewheelin', Blonde on Blonde) and '70s classics (Blood on the Tracks, Desire), through to his acclaimed later works like Time Out of Mind and "Love and Theft". Live Albums Included
Included in the collection are six key live recordings, featuring Before the Flood (1974), Hard Rain, Bob Dylan at Budokan, Real Live, Dylan & The Dead, and MTV Unplugged. The "Side Tracks" Compilation
The Complete Album Collection features an exclusive two-disc set, Side Tracks, which compiles 30 tracks of non-album singles, movie songs, and rarities, including "Positively 4th Street" and "Things Have Changed".
Bob Dylan is one of the most prolific and influential recording artists in history. The period between 1959 and 2012 traces his evolution from a folk troubadour in Minnesota to a Nobel Prize-winning icon. During this timeframe, Dylan released 35 studio albums, significant volumes of "The Bootleg Series," and numerous live and compilation albums.
The specification of "320" in the request typically refers to 320 kbps MP3 format. In the context of digital music archiving and collecting, this is the standard for "high-quality" lossy audio, offering the best balance between file size and fidelity for standard listening.
While 1959 is often cited as the start of his recording activities, official commercial releases began in 1962 with Columbia Records. Recordings from 1959–1961 are typically found in "Pre-Commercial" or "Home Recording" collections and are often of lower sonic fidelity than the 320 kbps standard, though collectors still seek them to complete the historical timeline.
While the phrase "Bob Dylan complete discography 1959–2012 320" is often associated with digital archives and high-quality MP3 bitrates, it actually represents a massive, chronological journey through the career of the most influential songwriter in modern history.
From his earliest folk recordings in Minnesota to the late-career renaissance of the 21st century, this guide breaks down the essential eras of Dylan’s studio output during this 53-year span. 1. The Folk Prophet (1959–1964)
Before he was a global icon, Dylan was a sponge for American roots music.
The Early Tapes (1959–1961): This era covers his time in Minneapolis and his arrival in New York City. These recordings are raw, featuring covers of Woody Guthrie and traditional blues. Chasing a “complete” Bob Dylan discography is like
The Breakthrough: His self-titled debut (1962) was mostly covers, but The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963) changed everything. With songs like "Blowin' in the Wind" and "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," Dylan became the voice of a generation.
The Protest Peak: The Times They Are a-Changin' (1964) solidified his status as a political poet before he began to tire of the "protest singer" label. 2. The Electric Revolution (1965–1966)
In arguably the most famous pivot in music history, Dylan "went electric."
Bringing It All Back Home (1965): Half-acoustic, half-electric, featuring "Subterranean Homesick Blues."
Highway 61 Revisited (1965): Often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time, anchored by the six-minute masterpiece "Like a Rolling Stone."
Blonde on Blonde (1966): A double-album recorded in Nashville that Dylan described as having that "thin, wild mercury sound." 3. Reclusion and Roots (1967–1973)
Following a mysterious motorcycle accident in 1966, Dylan retreated from the spotlight.
The Basement Tapes: Recorded with The Band in 1967 (though not officially released until later), these sessions explored a quirky, private Americana.
The Country Phase: John Wesley Harding (1967) and Nashville Skyline (1969) saw Dylan adopt a smoother croon and simpler lyrical themes, baffling fans who expected more psychedelia. 4. The Mid-70s Masterpieces (1974–1978)
After a brief slump, Dylan returned with some of his most emotionally raw work.
Blood on the Tracks (1975): Widely considered the ultimate "divorce album," it is a masterclass in non-linear storytelling.
Desire (1976): A cinematic, violin-heavy record featuring the protest anthem "Hurricane." 5. The Gospel Years & The 80s (1979–1989)
Dylan’s conversion to Christianity led to a trilogy of spiritual albums: Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love. While controversial at the time, they are now praised for their musicianship. The rest of the 80s was a hit-or-miss decade, though Oh Mercy (1989) proved he still had the magic. 6. The Late-Career Renaissance (1997–2012)
After a period of writer's block, Dylan entered a "twilight" era characterized by a gravelly voice and a deep obsession with the Great American Songbook and pre-war blues.
Time Out of Mind (1997): A dark, swampy atmospheric return to form that won Album of the Year at the Grammys.
Love and Theft (2001) & Modern Times (2006): These albums saw Dylan acting as a musical historian, blending rockabilly, swing, and jazz.
Tempest (2012): Marking the end of this specific era, Tempest is a violent, poetic, and sprawling record that proved Dylan remained as sharp-tongued as ever at age 71. Why "320"?
For collectors, "320" refers to 320kbps, the highest constant bitrate for MP3 files. While audiophiles often prefer lossless formats like FLAC or vinyl, 320kbps is the "gold standard" for digital listening, offering a balance between file size and audio fidelity—ensuring that every rasp of Dylan’s voice and every slide of the harmonica is heard clearly.
’s career from his 1959 beginnings to the 2012 release of Tempest represents a foundational era of American music, spanning 35 studio albums and a radical evolution from folk revivalist to rock icon. The Early Years (1959–1964)
Dylan began his journey in 1959 performing in coffeehouses near the University of Minnesota as Robert Zimmerman before moving to New York City in 1961. His early discography is defined by the transformation from a traditional folk singer to the premier "protest" songwriter of his generation.
Bob Dylan (1962): His debut, consisting mostly of traditional folk, blues, and gospel covers like "House of the Rising Sun".
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963): The breakthrough that established him as a songwriter, featuring "Blowin' in the Wind".
The Times They Are a-Changin' (1964): An album dominated by stark, topical songs that became anthems for the civil rights and anti-war movements.
Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964): A shift away from "finger-pointing" songs toward more personal, surrealist lyrics. The Electric Trilogy & Reinvention (1965–1974) Bob Dylan: The Complete Albums Collection - Paste Magazine
The search query "bob dylan complete discography 19592012 320" is characteristic of a specific high-quality digital music collection often found on file-sharing or archiving sites. This collection typically organizes Bob Dylan’s vast output from his earliest home recordings through his 2012 studio release, , at a 320kbps bitrate. The "Complete" Collection Scope
A collection of this nature usually spans across four main categories of Dylan’s career: Studio Albums : All 35 official studio albums released between 1962 ( ) and 2012 ( The Bootleg Series
: Vol. 1–9, which cover rare takes and live recordings released officially by Columbia Records through 2010. Live Albums : Major releases like Before the Flood (1976), and The "Royal Albert Hall" Concert (1966/1998). Early Recordings (1959–1961)
: Pre-fame material including the "Minnesota Hotel Tapes" and various home recordings that pre-date his debut album. Radio Times Key Milestones in this Timeline
If you are using this specific collection as a guide to Dylan's work, here is how to navigate the eras: Notable Albums Description Acoustic/Folk (1962–1964) The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan The Times They Are a-Changin' The "voice of a generation" era. Electric Revolution (1965–1966) Highway 61 Revisited Blonde on Blonde You're looking for a comprehensive collection of Bob
His most influential transition into rock and surrealist lyrics. The "Comeback" (1974–1975) Planet Waves Blood on the Tracks
Often cited as his most emotionally raw and critically acclaimed period. Religious Period (1979–1981) Slow Train Coming His "Born Again" era characterized by gospel influences. Late Career Renaissance (1997–2012) Time Out of Mind Modern Times
A return to critical acclaim with a focus on blues, roots, and mortality. Official Resources
For the most accurate and high-quality listening experience, you can find the complete list of releases and verified audio at: Official Bob Dylan Discography
: The definitive list of all 39+ studio albums and dozens of archival releases. Bob Dylan on Spotify Apple Music
: High-quality streaming for all official studio and live records. The Bootleg Series (Columbia/Legacy)
: Detailed information on the ongoing series of rare and unreleased tracks. from this period, or do you need a ranking of the best albums to start with?
Every Bob Dylan Album Ranked From Worst to Best - Paste Magazine
Here’s a concise draft text for a compilation or collector’s item titled Bob Dylan: Complete Discography 1959–2012 (320 kbps) — suitable for a blog, database entry, or file description.
Bob Dylan – Complete Studio Discography (1959–2012)
High-Quality 320 kbps MP3
This collection spans over five decades of Bob Dylan’s recorded legacy, from his earliest demo sessions in 1959 to his acclaimed 2012 studio album Tempest. Every track is encoded at 320 kbps for optimal listening fidelity — balancing file size with near-CD quality.
Included:
Format: MP3, 320 kbps CBR
Total files: All studio albums, non-album singles, key B-sides, and selected 1959–1961 home recordings (where available).
Source: Sourced from original CDs and digital releases for optimal quality.
Please note: This is a fan-curated discography. Live albums, official bootleg series, and compilations are not included unless they contain unique studio recordings.
’s career from his 1959 beginnings to his 2012 release Tempest represents one of the most prolific and transformative spans in music history. Moving from the folk coffeehouses of Minneapolis and Greenwich Village to becoming a global rock icon, Dylan released 35 studio albums during this specific period. The Formative Years and Folk Stardom (1959–1964)
In 1959, Robert Zimmerman was a student at the University of Minnesota, playing piano for pop singer Bobby Vee and discovering folk influences like Woody Guthrie. By 1962, he had moved to New York and signed with Columbia Records, releasing a self-titled debut that focused on traditional folk covers. He quickly transitioned into a "protest singer" icon with The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963) and The Times They Are a-Changin' (1964), before moving toward more personal lyrics on Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964). The Electric Revolution (1965–1966)
Dylan famously "went electric" at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, sparking a three-album run often cited as the pinnacle of rock history: Time Out of Mind
While there isn't a single "standard" blog post covering that exact timeframe in 320kbps MP3 format, several high-quality resources and official collections serve as definitive guides to Bob Dylan's vast discography from his early roots through 2012. Definitive Collections and Guides The Complete Album Collection Vol. One (2013)
: This is the most significant official release covering your requested era. It includes 35 studio albums (from his 1962 debut to 2012's
), six live albums, and a two-disc "Side Tracks" compilation of non-album songs. Treble Zine's Album Guide
: A comprehensive, recently updated guide that reviews every studio album in Dylan's catalog, providing critical context for both his early folk years and his late-career resurgence. The Official Bob Dylan Site
: For a strict chronological or categorical (Live, Studio, Bootleg) view, the Official Discography remains the authority. Consequence of Sound Notable Blog and Fan Perspectives Restless and Real : A dedicated blog post on The Complete Albums Collection provides a fan-centric look at the 2013 massive box set. UNCUT's Multitudes
introduces the "complete" Dylan, discussing how his career spans studio albums, Bootleg series volumes, and various side projects. Fan Rankings & Discussions : Communities like Reddit's r/bobdylan
feature user-generated guides and chronological playlists that cover his development from 1959 demos to his 21st-century masterworks.
does anyone have a complete list of Dylan albums? - Facebook
Any Bob Dylan complete discography 1959–2012 (320) would be incomplete without the Bootleg Series. These volumes contain alternate takes, live cuts, and the missing 1959 material.
No digital collection is truly complete. This one suffers from a few classic pirate problems:
For collectors and audiophiles archiving Dylan’s work, the bitrate is a crucial classifier:
1. The Arc of a Mad Genius Listening chronologically from 1959 to 2012 is a spiritual experience. You hear the folkie kid in Greenwich Village (Freewheelin’), the electric Judas of ’66 (Highway 61), the born-again preacher of Slow Train Coming, and the croaking bluesman of Time Out of Mind. At 320 kbps, the grit of his 80s albums (Infidels) actually sounds like grit, not digital noise.
2. The Bootleg Series Bonus The official studio albums are great, but the real gold here is The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Live 1966. Hearing the Manchester crowd shout “Judas!” before Dylan snarls “I don’t believe you… you’re a liar!”—crystal clear at 320 kbps—is worth the download alone.
3. The Deep Cuts You’ve Never Heard Discography includes rarities like “Caribbean Wind” (outtake from Shot of Love) and “Series of Dreams” (from the Oh Mercy sessions). These aren’t just filler; they’re entire lost novels.