Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfi7ME_Y5Vs

Yeah, def do not need this. I listen to “Dylan” more, and enjoy it more, than New Morning.

Would 100% shell out for a quality vinyl pressing of that Blood on the Tracks thing though.

Let's see, Amazon has new copies of More Blood, More Tracks readily available (only 19 in stock, but more on the way!) for $106.01 (used start at $91.61). That's CD; the vinyl is $27.67 new, used from $27.58. MP3 is $49.99. Can't be arsed to look any further, but they did have Wight as sep MP3 release, may still. I was going to get that before I found my aforementioned 60-odd %-off Complete Another Self-Portrait with Wight and a lot of nice outtakes and the orig S-P and a book I haven't read yet.

Amazon Germany has More Blood... CD for €10

It's the single CD sampler so €10 sounds about right.

You may be able to find the entire 6 CD set streaming somewhere, and I would recommend listening to it first. The album sessions for Blood on the Tracks may feel very repetitive if you're already familiar with the original "New York" version. They try different keys, but otherwise the songs and the arrangements don't really change that much, so it's more about nailing the best performances and fine-tuning along the way. There's like one or two alternate takes for each song that I like revisiting (on top of a few more outtakes), but that's maybe an hour's worth of listening - six or even five discs (if you ditch the Minneapolis disc) wound up being too much for me. I wound up burning my own single disc compilation since the sampler didn't get my favorite alternates, and even then I've barely listened to it.

so "1970" is just a repackaged copyright thing?
was there no "Bootleg Series" this year in time for the holiday gift-giving season or did I just completely miss it?

No Bootleg Series installment was released this year. The 1970 set is more or less a normal release of the copyright release, but they announced that it would include two additional tracks which they (presumably) accidentally left off of the copyright release, and there's hope or speculation that they may correct other things as well as some tracks were apparently sourced from mp3 bootlegs.

This isn't a bootleg series release but probably should be. The best version of every song on the Neverending Tour:

https://dylanlive.substack.com/p/the-best-version-of-every-song-on?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email&utm_source=copy

Not really the "best," but a guy's fun little project to collect every Dylan original that made a setlist. As described in that thread:

There's a popular Bob Dylan fan forum called Expecting Rain. I'm sure this is not news to many of you; Substack's analytics tell me it's been this newsletter's biggest source of subscribers after Google and social media. For many years, the forum has hosted discussion threads on individual songs in a series dubbed "Track Talks." The first one was in 2009. They're up to 522 songs now.

In those 522 threads, people inevitably mention their favorite live performances. So, I figured, you could just look through each thread, see what Never Ending Tour-era live performance got mentioned the most, and, viola, you've got the "best" live version. All you'd have to do is track down all the recordings. Which I did.

"Wait a second," you're already exclaiming, "this seems like an extremely arbitrary and unscientific way to pick the best Dylan performances." To which I reply: "Yep!"

That's why "best" is in quotes. The whole thing is subjective and idiosyncratic. Odd, even. In some cases, the most-cited performance might have been mentioned by a dozen people. In quieter threads, it only took two or three people saying they liked something to have it be the "winner." No one knew they were voting on my secret project.

All true. I should have put "best" in quotes. Still worth a download though.

That's like the Heady Version website for the Dead.

I swear there was some more conversation about the 1970 copyright dump, is that on another thread? I'm about halfway through and it's more fun that I expected, I think.

Came for the Harrison session but the multiple repurposings of "Alligator Man" sold me on this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XXMrOdt2Ow

Outfidels!

This is going to be awesome.

Having trouble w the trailer, but thelineofbestfit.com reports:

Bob Dylan has unveiled a trailer for volume 16 of his Bootleg Series, which is titled Springtime in New York and covers the years 1980-85.

The Bootleg Series Vol. 16: Springtime in New York will follow Vol. 15: Travelin' Thru, 1967–1969 that was released in 2019, and will focus on the years 1980-1985.

In the space of those five years, Dylan released four albums - Saved, Shot of Love, Infidels and Empire Burlesque - and the upcoming instalment of his Bootleg Series will feature a variety of alternate takes, unreleased songs, rehearsals, linear notes and more. Bob Dylan's The Bootleg Series Vol. 16: Springtime in New York will be available as a five disc deluxe boxset or a double LP or CD on 17 September. (their trailer link is also de trop at the moment, but assume that's the source?)

Sounds awesome!

uh not de trop, but link not working

Springtime in New York to be Released September 17JUL 21, 2021

Latest chapter in acclaimed Bootleg Series unveils 54 previously unreleased recordings, including outtakes from Shot of Love, Infidels and Empire Burlesque, in Deluxe 5CD Package

Bob Dylan – Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series, Vol.16 (1980-1985) 

Also Available in 2CD and 2LP Highlight Editions

Pre-order here

July 21, 2021-New York, NY-Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Bob Dylan – Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 (1980-1985) on Friday, September 17.

The latest chapter in Columbia/Legacy’s highly acclaimed Bob Dylan Bootleg Series revisits an often-forgotten, rich vein in Dylan’s vast and complex catalog, shining fresh light on the provocative new musical directions Dylan was taking as a songwriter and a recording artist from 1980 through 1985.  In the early 1980s, while the music industry was grappling with the arrival of new trends and technology, from MTV to compact discs to digital recording, Bob Dylan was writing and recording new songs for a new decade, creating an essential new chapter in his studio catalog.  Bob Dylan – Springtime In New York (1980-1985) celebrates the rich creative period surrounding Dylan’s albums Shot Of Love, Infidels, and Empire Burlesque with previously unreleased outtakes, alternate takes, rehearsal recordings, live performances and more.  

The deluxe 5CD edition of the album presents 57 rare Bob Dylan recordings, 54 of them previously unreleased in any format, from 1980-1985.  The previously released cuts include two Shot Of Love outtakes: “Let It Be Me” (first released as B-side to “Heart of Mine” International 7″ single) and “Don’t Ever Take Yourself Away” (first released on Hawaii Five-O: Original Songs from the Television Series). A third previously released recording, “Death Is Not The End” (an Infidels outtake featuring Full Force) first appeared in an edited version on Down In The Groove and may now be heard for the first time in full on Bob Dylan – Springtime In New York (1980-1985).

Bob Dylan – Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 (1980-1985) is available in a deluxe 5CD boxset (with book, memorabilia, photos and more) as well as 2CD and 2LP 12″ vinyl highlight packages. 

Might be tempted by the 5 disc version.

https://www.bobdylan.com/news/springtime-in-new-york-release/

sparky earrings not included, ala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUT7N8RYgSI

2. License to Kill (live) – Late Night with David Letterman, March 22, 1984

But no "Jokerman"?? Huge missed opportunity, imo.

are you serious? that is so infuriating

I mean, it's not on the 5xCD tracklist anywhere so...

Possibly he learned we liked it too much.

Probably saving it for a RSD single.

Crazy re: Jokerman. That was the first thing I looked for on the track list.

That Too Late is sweet, even though a fair number of the lyrics were recycled in Foot of Pride.

Crazy re: Jokerman. That was the first thing I looked for on the track list.

Honestly I didn't even think of it until I saw the other Letterman performance, then went back and rescanned the list like five times.

yeah weird omission — maybe dylan can't stand that he screwed up the harmonica solo?
otherwise, I'm pretty excited for this set, should be plenty of cool stuff.

Oh I'm excited for sure. Hoping the deluxe version isn't prohibitively expensive.

My coworkers recently gave me a $100 Amoeba gift certificate for my birthday, and I think I know where it’s going…

2. License to Kill (live) – Late Night with David Letterman, March 22, 1984

But no "Jokerman"?? Huge missed opportunity, imo.

Yes, big omission. I think I know why - when it gets to the harmonica solo, Dylan stops after one note because he notices he has the wrong harmonica (in the wrong key). The band ends up playing the verse unaccompanied as Dylan waits for the correct harmonica. He does get it and nails a good solo to finish the song. (Ironically, Dylan already cut out a few verses to fit the song into the TV broadcast, so the final result basically ended up with one extra "empty" verse.) I think Dylan's camp ditched it because of this "mistake," and it's possible they didn't want to fix it with editing because they feared a backlash from fans.

FWIW, it's actually very easy to fix in editing. It's so easy, you can even apply a similar fix to the videotape - it's a little tricky because the picture edit and sound edit have to be at different spots while creating the illusion that everything is still in synch within the second or two bridging those edits, but I did it years ago on easy-to-use Mac programs. What's cool is that Dylan himself makes this possible - not just in sound by having the band repeat a verse, but he actually steps off and back on camera at the right spots (i.e. repeating the same movements when he takes the second try at a harmonica solo). Since Late Night was always taped, I'm guessing he thought they could edit out the mistake if he gave them something to work with, but of course they didn't and broadcast it as is.

Remember, they played three songs: "Don't Start Me Talkin'" would've been very welcome too. They should just issue a DVD or BD somewhere with all three performances, I'd rather have the complete video rather than just the audio anyway.

yeah weird omission — maybe dylan can't stand that he screwed up the harmonica solo?

Ah, missed Tyler's post - yes, probably, but he nailed it on the second try.

At first glance, everything I'd want may be contained within Discs 3 through 5.

1 & 2 don't look interesting - I'll have to wait and see, but it's not my favorite era and an excellent "Angelina" is already on BS Vol. 1-3. (I was hoping for a better studio version of "Caribbean Wind," but alas one may not exist.) I think the good stuff from the 1980-1981 studio sessions may already circulate (along with a lot more that's underwhelming), but we'll see.

3 & 4 could be interesting, but the only tracks that are likely keepers IMHO are the alternate "Jokerman," "Blind Willie McTell" (presumably a full-band version) and "Someone’s Got a Hold of My Heart" (I'm guessing the previously unofficial bootlegged outtake or something very similar - that version is great, FAR better than what was used on BS Vol. 1-3). Maybe "Foot of Pride" too but it would be hard to beat the one on BS Vol. 1-3. If the rest is similar to what's been bootlegged, it may not be very exciting. (Not bad either but nothing I'd miss over what's been released.)

5 could be a useful way to salvage Empire Burlesque into a decent album. We'll see, but I always thought with a lighter hand in the mix and less overdubs, you could've taken the best tracks from that LP and combined them with the alternate "When the Night..." from BS Vol. 1-3 and "New Danville Girl" (included here) to create a fine LP. No masterpiece but every bit as good as any Tom Petty album...Petty's Heartbreakers, some members of the E Street Band and Lone Justice drummer Don Heffington play on virtually every good track from those sessions.

Am I correct that discs 1 & 2 are what will be the standalone shorter version?

Am I correct that discs 1 & 2 are what will be the standalone shorter version?

That's what they've done in the past, but since the box set is now strictly chronological, no way.

For anyone who has mixed feelings about this era (not a fan of the albums but a fan of some material if not all of it), it could help to reconfigure something new from the previous released outtakes as well as this box set. I'm skeptical that any of these could ever be truly great albums, but they can be much better. I would probably do something like this:

Shot of Love

Side A:
1. Shot of Love
2. Caribbean Wind (the live version is easily the best, but it may stick out too much as a soundboard recording)
3. Property of Jesus
4. Lenny Bruce
5. The Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar

Side B:
6. Dead Man, Dead Man
7. In the Summertime
8. Angelina ( BS Vol. 1-3 version, but maybe the new one will be better?)
9. Every Grain of Sand

Infidels

Side A:
1. Jokerman
2. Sweetheart Like You
3. Man of Peace
4. Foot of Pride (BS Vol. 1-3 version will be tough to beat)

Side B:
5. Someone's Got a Hold of My Heart (from The Genuine Bootleg Series Vol. 1 which may be the one on the new box set)
6. Blind Willie McTell (I prefer the acoustic version but a full-band version without the flub may fit better - could be what's on the box set)
7. I and I
8. Don't Fall Apart on Me Tonight

Empire Burlesque
(could be the alternates from the box set if they're good takes that aren't weighed down by effects and overdubs)

Side A:
1. Seeing the Real You at Last
2. I'll Remember You
3. New Danville Girl (probably what's on the new box set, but also on The Genuine Bootleg Series Vol. 1)

Side B:
4. Trust Yourself
5. Emotionally Yours
6. When the Night Comes Falling from The Sky (BS Vol. 1-3 version, but we'll see what the new box set has)
7. Something's Burning, Baby
8. Dark Eyes

That's what they've done in the past, but since the box set is now strictly chronological, no way.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. Doesn't make sense to just excise those two discs, but I know that's been the pattern.

I think they already said that except for three tracks, all songs are previously unreleased versions.

Yeah, they even named the three tracks. I was referring to whether or not previously bootlegged tracks (unofficially but not officially released) would be on this new box set. It's also possible they dug up alternates of outtakes that are arguably better than what's been unofficially released or previously/officially released in the Bootleg Series - there's a few on Tell Tale Signs that are like that, but it's usually a similar (but noticeably different) version that's more of an improvement in terms of sound quality.

frankly i can't wait to hear every disc of this

otm

What of the "Third man" 4lp version?

Some more details:

Terry Gans says "Blind Willie McTell" will be "the familiar unreleased take we are all familiar with. There is about 20 seconds extra piano at the start that has been edited out and about two minutes at the end they have edited out.”

That would be this version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sahaKRuEZfk

"20 seconds" at the start and "two minutes at the end" must refer to the original uncut and unfaded recording - there's no way you can edit that much on the bootlegged version with chopping off large chunks of the actual song. I just wish they did something with that cough, like cut in a line from another take. (These were all digital multi-track recordings.)

Also, the Third Man 4 LP set seems to drop "Blind Willie McTell," "Something's Got a Hold of My Heart" and "New Danville Girl" - major omissions IMHO:

https://thirdmanrecords.com/news/third-man-records-announces-vault-package-49-bob-dylan-springtime-in-new-york-the-bootleg-series-vol-16-1980-1985

*without chopping

Ah, missed this: "The songs on the Third Man Vault will be the ONLY vinyl release of those 42 songs. There is NO material overlap between the 2xLP version from Sony/Legacy and the 4xLP release from Third Man."

So by design the 4 LP set goes after what's leftover after Sony/Dylan's camp cherrypicked the best stuff for the 2 LP/2 CD Sony set..

(I'm guessing the 2 CD set is the same as the 2 LP set...)

Man, that's just asking to be taken to Flipper City