In 1961 Bob Dylan had been playing the coffee houses for a little over a year . The album did contain two original songs : `` Talkin ' New York '' and `` Song to Woody . '' It was American record executive John Hammond who saw the huge potential in Dylan . On April 1 , 1962 , Bob Dylan 's self - titled debut album hit shelves .
In 1961 Bob Dylan had been playing the coffee houses for a little over a year . It was American record executive John Hammond who saw the huge potential in Dylan . On April 1 , 1962 , Bob Dylan 's self - titled debut album hit shelves .