Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 : Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991
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Free Music Notes for The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 : Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991
Free Music Review: Got the essentials? Here's where you go for more
Hit: 4 Stars
Hardcore Dylan-philes probably own this already, and more casual fans will find a lot to like here as well, although this three-disc set may be a bit too much for those who just want Dylan's biggest hits and best-known songs
But if you "only" have the Bob Dylan "essentials" (and perhaps the wonderful boxset "Biograph", which also boasts several rarities), this is where you go for more.
These the first three CDs in the renowned "Bootleg Series" contain 58 outtakes, live performances, alternates and rarities recorded between 1961 and 1991. And these aren't rejects; on the contrary, this box contains some of Dylan's most interesting material. Disc one is devoted to acoustic songs dating from 1961-1963, and that one is probably the least interesting to casual or "mid-level" fans, but Dylan-philes will delight in "Walls Of Red Wing", the spirited "Walkin' Down The Line", and these fine versions of "Only A Hobo", "Let Me Die In My Footsteps", and "The Times They Are A-Changin'".
Disc two is the most diverse; it goes electric about a third of the way through with a wonderful band-backed "If You Gotta Go, Go Now", and also includes an acoustic solo performance of "Subterranean Homesick Blues", and the original up-tempo "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" ("Phantom Engineer").
"I'll Keep It With Mine" (which can be found as a solo performance on the "Biograph" box set) is here in a tentative band-backed rendition, followed by a driving rock n' roll-version of "She's Your Lover Now" and a tremendous, slow "I Shall Be Released", sung by Dylan with harmony vocals by the Band's Richard Manuel.
You'll also find the original low-key recording of "Idiot Wind", an alternate "Tangled Up In Blue", a band-backed and much slower than usual "If Not For You", and a thoroughly genuine country waltz, "Wallflower".
Disc three opens with a beautiful alternate take of "If You See Her, Say Hello", another one from the original "Blood On The Tracks" sessions which were never issued. "Catfish" and the slow, swinging "Golden Loom" are outtakes from the "Desire" sessions, and this gentle demo of "Every Grain Of Sand" is at least as beautiful as the one issued on "Shot Of Love", just Dylan at the piano, an acoustic guitar, and Jennifer Warnes supplying a discreet backing vocal. Oh, and there's a dog, too, barking a few times about 2½ minutes into the song.
There are a few rather forgettable, sometimes over-produced songs on disc three, but those are outnumbered the good ones. The memorable dark ballad "Angelina" is another highlight, as is "Someone's Got A Hold Of My Heart" (which features Mark Knopfler and Mick Taylor on guitars), and the slow blues ballad "Blind Willie McTell".
If you truly want more than just the hits, this is where to look. "The Bootleg Series" is a great addition to the Bob Dylan catalogue, one which truly underlines the breadth and depth of his talent.
Free Music Review: Dylan at his best over the years
Hit: 5 Stars
Dylan has always been the best when experienced live and in person. This CD comes the closest to understanding Dylan's effect on listeners. Only his live concerts come closer to capturing Dylan's fury and sensitivity. It boggles the mind why some of these tracks were never included on regular released albums. Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that Dylan, as an artist, was constantly changing and evolving. Accordingly, he was never in the same place for very long. Once he recorded "Let Me Die In My Footsteps", he was on to something else and thank God for us.Free Music Review: Pure Gold
Hit: 5 Stars
It's amazing that after all these years; the surviving acetates were put into digital format. Absolutely amazing. Some reviewers ask, "Why wasn't this material put on the albums?" To answer that I would have to say that back in the day we really didn't have the money to just throw around. Albums were put out based on the commercial potential. There were a few small independent labels out there, but they were almost hobbies when compared to the corporations. Today, a lot of material in a variety of genre' are precious commodities because they were pressed on independent labels, without any existing archival material. So thanks to the folks at (whatever label Dylan recorded with), we're able to enjoy these early recordings. These are golden, simplicity, raw, genius. Golden.Free Music Review: Terrific
Hit: 5 Stars
Wow, this is really cool stuff. This stuff is as good as the material that made it on his "official" albums. I like that it is in chronological order so you can really see him develop as a songwriter. (That's the BIG problem with Biograph, too disjointed in its song sequencing.) This is much better than Biograph. Buy it!!Free Music Review: Better than most of the songs on his albums!
Hit: 4 Stars
This collection of unrelesed and alternate versions of songs is an awesome collection. It does beg the question, why weren't these songs included on some of the albums they were intended for? Not being a Dylan fan at all when I got this collection I was blown away. I think the second disc contains the best songs. I know everyone has their own favorites for various reasons but the songs that stood out for me are "Walking Down The Line", "Let Me Die In My Footsteps" (on disc 1), "Seven Curses", "Mama, You Been on My Mind", "Subterranean Homesick Blues" (1st take of the song with just bob, his guitar, and harmonica!), "If Not For You" (with George Harrison), and "Nobody 'Cept You" (all on disc 2). I'm sure I could have added almost the whole second disc but these are the songs I fell in love with at first listen. I'm not the biggest fan of Dylan but I feel these songs are amazing. I purchased all of the remastered cds and I'm shocked everytime I hear those albums. Some of those songs should have been replaced by some of the songs on this collection. I especially love the version of "If not for You" with the late George Harrison. It sounds closer to the version Harrison recorded for his album "All Things Must Pass" compared to the version Dylan released on his "New Morning" album. So if anyone is interested in listening to Dylan for the first time, I would highly recomend this collection.