Bob Dylan - Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8
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Free Music Notes for Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8
Free Music Review: incredible
Hit: 5 Stars
This is not only one of the best releases of the year, it is one of those releases that come around only so many years that single-handedly restores your faith in music, rock and otherwise. The first disk more than makes up for a few weak spots on side two. Awe inspiringFree Music Review: If you didn't like Bob's last 2 CD's, buy this!!!
Hit: 4 Stars
I am a huge Dylan fan, but not so much of "Love & Theft" or "Modern Times". They are too traditional, too 1940's, too Leon Redbone. When his band rages on a blues or rock number, Dylan's voice sounds like he's gargling gravel while inhaling an eighteen-wheeler's exhaust-pipe. Totally shot. As great as the music & vibe was on "Time Out of Mind", Bob sounded like he was dying, his voice reduced to a sickly croak. So I expected very little from this "Bootleg Vol 8" set. Instead, I spent a weekend in amazement listening to half the 27 tracks over & over & over. This set collects unreleased gems, better versions & radically-diffferent versions of previously-released songs, and superb one-off songs he did for soundtracks to obscure movies you likely missed. Many of the songs have brushes on drums and subdued, atmospheric guitar, allowing Dylan to actually get expressive with his fermented voice. The first disc alone is his best CD release since "Oh Mercy" in 1989. It's that strong! The fact that more gems await on disc 2 is just a bonus. In summary: Dylan is still great, he just doesn't know which songs, or which versions of his songs to release.Free Music Review: error
Hit: 4 Stars
The music is great but I found to my dismay that the package came with 2 familiar discs (disc 1), so I'm missing disc 2.
Is there any chance of getting another package?
Free Music Review: "How About We Play It in B Flat..."
Hit: 4 Stars
Before launching into a totally reworked, and great version of "Can't wait" from "Time out of mind", Dylan says "How About We Play It in B Flat...".
With those eight words, he reveals a lot about how he, and a precious few other musicians, keep reinventing their own songs.
For those of us who first began attending concerts during the age of psychedelics, a favorite musician or group's live show could be a real revelation, not to mention tremendously exciting, when the musician(s) would play rearranged versions of their songs. Many in the audience waited with eager anticipation and hope that something unexpected, unrehearsed, or spontaneous might occur on stage, and when it did, the concert would become a transformative experience instead of simply a live performance that mostly adhered to the album versions of the songs.
It seems as time has passed, even some of the musicians and bands who were once more willing to experiment and be spontaneous have become less inclined to do so, and in many instances, have lost all spontaneity.
Some musicians take less musical risks because it's easier for them not to, others do it, let's face it, because of money: Their (probably mostly accurate) perception that most of their fans prefer to hear the songs played note for note the way the studio (and radio) versions sound.
Thankfully, Bob Dylan, Jim White, Robyn Hitchcock, Beck, along with former members of the Grateful Dead (just to name a few of the ones who come to my mind) still have that spirit of experimentation and improvisation with their own and others' songs, whether played live, or as bootlegs and alternate releases. The alternate versions of Beatles songs that were released in the 90s are examples of the biggest rock band on the planet not being afraid to reinterpret their own songs. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, Paul McCartney pretty much sticks to the studio versions of Beatles songs live.
Back to Dylan, the music on Vol. 8 spans from 1989's "Oh Mercy" through 2006's "Modern Times". Most of the records he released during that timeframe are every bit as strong as, and stronger in some instances, than any of the so called "classic" Dylan releases from the 60s and 70s.
Over the years, the album versions of these songs have become familiar, yet never tiring. Hearing radically revised versions of the songs is unsettling for many people (Dylan fans not likely included), but these new versions reawaken that spirit of reinvention and spontaneity.
Maybe it's analagous to the feeling you get when you step into that room in your house that you just remodeled and had it repainted just the way you wanted. You've always loved the house, and always will, but it's even more enjoyable to experience it in that new light.
Unquestionably, way high up on the Top 10 Best Of 2008 list.
Free Music Review: Dylan's Tell Tale Signs
Hit: 5 Stars
I have not heard all of Bob Dylan's recordings, but this one has to be his best yet. The maturity in his voice, his intonations and deep felt emotions. I can't decide whether I like Vol.I or Vol.II the best.
If this is Bob in his 60's, look out 70's.