1. Bob Dylan (1962)

On first play my initial impression of this debut, a collection of folk standards, blues covers and two originals, was that at the age of just 20 Dylan already sounds like a fully-formed artist. Although he wears his influences on his sleeve, he has a distinct vocal style and his musicianship and songwriting are surprisingly well developed for someone just out of their teens.

Accompanied only by his guitar and harmonica (and apparently recorded in a couple of short sessions with few do-overs), there's a heavy emphasis on death and an unexpected sprinkling of humour among the tales of traveling, sorrow and woman trouble.

I've probably played this album ten times over the past few days (it's only a little over 30 mins long). At first I simply admired it, but it was during the fourth listen that I absolutely fell for it. My top tracks at the moment are the two originals (which bodes well) Talkin' New York and Song To Woody, which both owe a debt to his hero Mr. Guthrie, especially the latter to his 1913 Massacre. Other current favourites are the wonderful Man Of Constant Sorrow, the energetic Pretty Peggy-O and Baby Let Me Follow You Down, of which I'd only ever heard The Animals' adaptation.

Well, things are off to a very good start - this box set could yet make a Dylan nerd of me. What do you think of this album? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it in the comments section below, whether you've heard it a thousand times before or just the once.

I'm off back to the Box to dig out the next album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. I'll report back in about a week - I hope you can join me.