Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series

Ha, forgot that, thanks!

Forgot about this number - from a 1984 live rehearsal, it's a shame it wasn't included on the new box set:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI0eqpfGeYg

I'm not sure if Dylan ever finished it, but at least in terms of music and arrangement, it's a really, really nice sketch, especially compared to the stuff he was finishing and putting out at the time.

You need to skip directly to the 2 minute mark (the first two minutes are a rougher, earlier sketch). Tried to incorporate that into the embedded link but it still plays from the beginning.

Too Late is a great song.

I ended up using a combination of gift $ and discount to pick up this set. The packaging is really nice; I've never handled one of these "Complete" Bootleg Series volumes before.

I've listened to Disc 3 several times in the row – such great stuff on it. I love the progression at the end, from strummy, tentative "Too Late"; to funky, confident "Too Late"; to "Foot of Pride" (all in the space of two recording sessions).

These lines, man:

A whore will pass the hat, collect a hundred grand and say thanks

They kill babies in the crib and say only the good die young

“Death Is Not the End,” the (Dylan-penned) gospel song that closes out Disc 4, is a fantastic recording.

I guess '80s Dylan has been getting a resurgence even without this set. You had that '80s tribute album from some years back, but you also had two truly excellent Dylan covers albums by Bettye LaVette and Chrissie Hynde that drew heavily on the '80s. Albums like that typically have the same drawbacks - even good ones like the Byrds or Fairport Convention's albums are generally compilations that feel redundant when the original albums are essential - but LaVette's and Hynde's are the first two that actually feel like fully-realized works worth owning. I know Christgau has recommended another by Maria Muldaur from some years back, so I may check that out later, but it doesn't lean on the '80s like those other two.

I have a “tight connection” to this era (sorry), I guess because it was a big part of the sound of my childhood… Dylan’s voice in the ‘80s is the first “Dylan voice” I knew, and this material still feels like ground zero of my Dylan fandom to me (hence why I wanted all 5 of these discs, and I’m fine with even 2 Basement Tapes CDs, etc.)

Marcus and his old buddy xgau are on opposite sides of the fence re "Brownsville Girl" and Rolling Bootlegs in general: The 'gau loves that song (which I enjoy too), doesn't particularly give a shit about the series, but maybe he'll compare it with "Danville Girl," now that Marcus has.
Fairport's (& Fotheringay's) A Tree With Roots seems handy, not xpost redundant, to me: rounds up"Si tu dois partir," their "cajun" Dylan hit, also "Percy's Song" and others that I don't think he's ever released, in good-to-killer renditions, even "Jack O' Diamonds," the adapted folk song/poem on the back of one of his album covers, which another guy set to music and released as a single, so Fairport covered that too, and it's good---great to have all this on one reasonably priced CD (maybe other formats too)
Totally agree about LaVette's often bold, personalized set: she's unafraid of his 80s thicket, chops and channels "The Times They Are A-Changin'," sure sounds like she's speaking to her own mama in "Mama You Been On My Mind."
Chrissie Hynde's rainy day quarantine set is real good too, though it's just her and the Pretenders guitarist trading tracks, could maybe use more than acoustic guitar and piano, but might distract from the vibe.
Muldaur's Dylan love songs set is enjoyable too, although she tends to select from the relatively normie side*---does do a great version of "Golden Loom," insanely left in the can, man, from the Desire sessions (man I wish I hadn't thought of that album)
*Wish Marianne Faithful would do a Dylan set, incl. her excellent "Visions of Johanna."

"Si tu dois partir" and "Percy's Song" are both on Unhalfbricking though, and I think that's a great, GREAT album. (I think they used the BBC recording for "Percy's Song," where it's just Sandy singing the opening, but I love that collection, at least the original Rykodisc/Hannibal CD.) To be fair, once you get away from the Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson-era recordings, the Fairport albums get a lot less essential, and there are cuts from those years without Denny or Thompson that were included on the Dylan covers collection, including some that weren't album tracks.

I was curious as to whether Hynde would have added drums and bass if she could, but the more I listen to her album, the more it feels right. That's especially true of the two peaks on her album, "Blind Wille McTell" and "Every Grain of Sand." The latter is virtually on par with Dylan's recording but I think Marcus is right - she does THE definitive take on "Blind Willie McTell." The chosen instrumentation really does sound perfect to me - it could very well be an accident, simply the default instrumentation given the pandemic, but it feels spot on. Dylan also did a piano and acoustic guitar version with Knopfler, but that was likely a run-through whereas it sounds like Hynde took the time to refine and carefully arrange her version to perfection.

I'm just glad to have all those Fairport (incl. Peel Sessions, other BBC), solo Sandy demos, Fotheringay etc tracks in one place, and it all sounds good to me. Yeah prob right for Hynde to concentrate on vocals, not mess w instrumental overdubs that much.
Another good Dylan covers album out this year, from Lucinda Williams. exemplary quarantine placeholder Lu's Jukebox covers series:
I just first listened to Lucinda Williams' Bob's Back Pages: A Night of Bob Dylan Songs,(2020 download. on CD later in 2021?) which is a lot to take in, quality and quantity and range and depth (of dug-in heels, writing and choice-wise), but clearly she's wide awake all night, no slurs, lots of teeth, with her hot crusty railroad combo from Good Souls Better Angels, I think (it's a download, so no fancy info). The theme, one of the recurring themes, is restless frustration---"I look like I'm movin', but I'm standin' still," but never shut up. The dread "To Make You Feel My Love" is the ringer, and closer, but works (and follows "Idiot Wind"), by far the best version I've heard, of which there have of course been a shitload. "Everything's Broken," "Political World," and "Man of Peace" make one ornery triptych early on. "Queen Jane Approximately"is drinking wedding band folk punk change of pace, nice. Was going to pick some from YouTube, but can't decide.

― dow, Friday, June 18, 2021

I was listening to the Fairport "Percy's Song" recently for the first time in ages after reading about it in Thompson's memoir; I generally think of the song as long and dirgey and repetitive (though I remember finding the snippet of it in Don't Look Back lovely), and their arrangement does a really nice job of giving it direction and flow.

ok was confused for a second until I googled, weird to name the Fairport comp after maybe the most famous Dylan bootleg

Yeah, I know! It's a great title though so I guess it's up for grabs since it hasn't been used for an "official" release.

xxp Good call on the Lucinda Williams album - hope she does at least one when she tours next year (she's supposed to do a show with Bonnie Raitt at the Beacon in NY).

Awesome! Was wondering what Raitt's up to these days. Somebody better post that show!
Anybody heard Dylan's demo of "Percy's Song"? I assume there is one; does Thompson mention their Dylan sources? Think they got "I'll Keep It With Mine" from an acetate, maybe via Joe Boyd's fellow Americans.

Thompson's recent memoir actually talks about "Percy's Song" - credit goes to D A Pennebaker's Dont Look Back, the band saw the movie and picked up on the song when Joan Baez performed it in the movie. They went looking for it afterwards and it was tough to track down. They found it in an old book of sheet music for Dylan's songs.

Thanks---I should have looked it up by now: YouTube's got several posts of his version, live and on Biograph---wiki sez:
"Percy's Song" is a song written by Bob Dylan. It was recording during the October 1963 sessions for Dylan's third album, The Times They Are A-Changin', but not included on it.

Folk star Joan Baez performed "Percy's Song" in the 1967 documentary film Dont Look Back,[1] which made the song known to the general public. The British folk rock group Fairport Convention recorded "Percy's Song" on their third album, released in 1969, Unhalfbricking. Then Arlo Guthrie recorded it for his 1970 album Washington County; this version achieved some progressive rock radio airplay in the United States.

Dylan's recording was not officially released until 1985 when it appeared in the Biograph box set. In the notes to that collection, Dylan credits Paul Clayton for the song's "beautiful melody line."[2][3][4] Clayton had played "The Wind and the Rain" to him, a variant of "The Twa Sisters", Child ballad 10.[5]

Dylan wrote the song from the point of view of a narrating character.[2] The song relates the story of a fatal car crash and a subsequent manslaughter conviction and 99-year sentence in Joliet Prison that is handed down to the driver (a friend of the first-person narrator). The narrator goes to ask the sentencing judge to commute his friend's sentence which he considers too harsh, but the sentence stands. The story of the hard-hearted judge is reminiscent of the Child ballad "Geordie".[6]
I took it that the narrator, who had no good answer for the judge, incl. a protest, really no answer at all, was limited to concern for his friend: the judge's statement of facts in the case, and his own professional POV, aren't challenged. So listeners are left to think and feel what we will, as with "Blowin' In The Wind" and a lotta other songs later on.

the Unhalfbricking version is one of my fave things ever, the band at the height of their powers

Oh yeah!
xpost So, clearly I need to listen to Paul Clayton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Clayton_(singer) That article mentions record co. suit re "Don't Think Twice," which I knew got its tune from a certain folk song, but didn't know that Dylan got it via Clayton's adaptation, incl. some of the words:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Think_Twice,_It%27s_All_Right

At least he mentioned Clayton re "Percy's Song," also other acknowledgements of Rick Von Schmidt, and Patrick Sky (I think), maybe not Dave Von Ronk, although, in No Direction Home, DVR tells the story of how, after Dylan recorded the Dave take on "House of the Rising Sun" first, so when the arranger did it, people would say, "Hey, doing that Dylan song, huh?" then The Animals had the hit, and Van Ronk said Dylan reported that people were saying, "Hey, doing that Animals song, huh?" And in the movie, DVR enjoys this poetic justice.

Also maybe some stuff from Len Chandler (fond, vivid memories of whom incl. in Chronicles), according to this fansite, though I haven't checked the links: http://www.bobdylanroots.com/chandler.html
Intriguing bio, one of those guys who impressed, then slipped through the cracks of music histories:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Len_Chandler

Just a few choice items he found, along with whatever he got from Paul Nelson's record collection, which he stole, as also told in No Direction Home, so we thank ye, Paul.

Anyone allergic to Empire Burlesque’s production sound (…I know you’re out there) has gotta hear the “Tight Connection” on this set (Disc 5, Track 4). So great!

Yeah, it's nice - I just wish they remixed the whole album! (The other newly mixed cuts are alternate takes...good takes, to be fair, but I still prefer the master takes on the original album.)

Yes, it's interesting that the bulk of Disc 5 is "sort of" an alternate version of the album, but they don't fully commit to that concept.

I have no problem with Empire Burlesque's production.

I like the bootleg sound.

I'm listening to BOB DYLAN: 1970, with special guest GEORGE HARRISON, at last.

Do you like it?

It seems to me rather like 'outtakes from amid which ANOTHER SELF PORTRAIT was selected'.

I like it, naturally.

I haven't even reached George Harrison yet as I keep playing just the earlier tracks!

I didn't realize that an edited version of "Death Is Not the End" appears on Down in the Groove (I've only listened to that album like once). The edit is good, but the full version is much better!

I also think "New Danville Girl" is superior to the Knocked Out Louded version of "Brownsville Girl" (both performance- and production-wise). The production on the 80s albums never really bothered me, but I sure appreciate hearing these outtakes.

Yeah, the production on "Brownsville Girl" is too bombastic with the blaring horns, an extra heap of cavernous echo and backup singers mixed way up. It's also Dylan's vocal - it's just better on "New Danville Girl."

Song-wise from the EB sessions, I wish he had released this:

Side A:
1. Tight Connection to My Heart
2. Seeing the Real You at Last
3. I'll Remember You
4. New Danville Girl

Side B:
5. Trust Yourself
6. Emotionally Yours
7. When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky [alternate from Bootleg Series Vol. 1-3]
8. Something's Burning Baby
9. Dark Eyes

And then he should've just ditched Knocked Out Loaded. He HATED that album, even while he was making it. If he wanted to be practical, he should have shelved the material, put out Live 1966 to keep up with his contractual obligation (or Live 1963: Carnegie Hall, that would've been shrewd given the burgeoning "folk" revival that was about to peak in popularity with Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman), and then used the outtakes to properly fulfill his obligations to that shitty Hearts of Fire movie, where he was supposed to contribute 4 new songs. (He only managed 2 + 1 cover, which was probably embarrassing, especially since the cover was better than the originals. "Driftin' Too Far from Shore" and "Maybe Someday" would have easily covered the deficit.)

If we’re really dreaming, I’ll take a resurfaced “Caribbean Wind” over “Emotionally Yours”!

Hah, I've already slotted that on the Shot of Love of my fantasy release world. On my iTunes, he takes a page out of Neil Young's playbook and uses the sole live performance as THE one for the album rather than any of the inferior outtakes. FWIW, I have that album as:

1. Shot of Love
2. Caribbean Wind (live)
3. Property of Jesus
4. Lenny Bruce
5. The Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar
6. Dead Man, Dead Man
7. In the Summertime
8. Angelina [from Bootleg Series Vol. 1-3]
9. Every Grain of Sand

Also, I don't necessarily love every track. There just aren't enough top-drawer cuts, so I just pick out what's left from the usable batch of recordings the way any producer would, and in those cases, I might lean on other people's favorites. For example, Xgau thinks "Property of Jesus" and "Lenny Bruce" are the highlights (and Sinéad O'Connor liked the former enough to cover it). And with "Emotionally Yours," the O'Jays and Bettye Lavette both covered it pretty well - in some way, I think Empire Burlesque holds up best as a standards album. Like, these aren't great Dylan recordings, but he's still good enough to write stuff like an old school Tin Pan Alley writer, songs that could be really good for someone else.

I think “Property of Jesus” is fire, but “Lenny Bruce” is dire (…guess I’ll never make “Dean”)

"Lenny Bruce" is nice musically...but the lyrics are indeed dire. Dylan must have a soft spot for it - he revived it on his 2019 tour, playing it at every show.

my god you people are serious

I never did get any Golden Globe award!

So does no-one like 1970, with special guest George Harrison?

Yeah, I liked it. "Yesterday", I mean!

Remarkable.

Hi pinefox, I mean to buy it at some point (3-CD, or listed that way, for $17.99 on Amazon, digital is much more, when it's usually the other way around). Customers on there often complain about how uneven it is, that the George tracks are mostly meh, but what I want it for are those country chestnuts, hopefully good enough to add to my future folder/playlist, Plaid Wine, Cow Pie: Dylan Sings Country and Roots,along with compatibles (mostly covers, a few originals, like "Apple Suckling Tree," and maybe "Down Along The Cove"), from Bootleg Series I already have: The Basement Tapes Complete(sic), Another Self Portrait, Travelin' Through, also maybe a couple of things from Dylan, at least "A Fool Such As I."

I feel bad for those who paid hundreds of dollars for the initial (and very limited) press run of 1970 only to have the Dylan camp change their mind and repress it as a cheap, mass market release. But to be fair, if it wasn't for that initial demand, the Dylan camp would not have made it more available.

I think a lot of it is disposable, but the actual Harrison session is a pleasant listen. I had the bootleg and didn't bother to listen it again after I got it in a trade years ago. The CD-R still plays, but I noticed they cut out quite a bit of chatter for the official release. Nothing earth-shaking but it kind of added to the charming, casual ambience. Sound quality is a definite upgrade, so I actually re-compiled the bootleg using the official sources from 1970 and Another Self Portrait.

Otherwise, the only other thing I kept from 1970 is the "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" outtake with that new arrangement (the one with the back-up singers). FWIW, Jeff Gold of Record Mecca allegedly found a 1970 acetate with yet another different arrangement of the same song, this time a "gospel" arrangement, and it may be better, but for whatever reason it doesn't look like it was released here.

This latest issue of xpost Flaggin' Down The Double Ees, which always includes downloads of Dylan shows, old and new (free: a couple times a month, paid: more), also tells the story, via various sources, of Dylan half-assing "Dark Eyes," then getting it together w Patti Smith, and then---well, it's a lovely story indeed, I think, even though haven't yet checked the linked musical results:https://dylanlive.substack.com/p/dark-eyes

The Harrison tracks on 1970 do not seem to be outstanding, considering it's Dylan and Harrison playing.

My 2nd CD doesn't play the first few tracks well, which is naturally frustrating.

'working on a guru' on ANOTHER SELF PORTRAIT surely the Dylan / Harrison highlight?

I adore 'sign on the window' but after numerous runs at it on 1970 I don't desperately need to hear it more times.

I find it curious how Dylan, in the studio, with tape running, repeatedly plays ... his own older songs, that have already been released. Not many artists do that?

I listen to the 2CD (NOT 5CD!) version of SPRINGTIME IN NEW YORK.

What tracks from this do you like, and recommend that I listen out for especially?

The two highlights for me are "Blind Willie McTell" (Infidels outtake) and "New Danville Girl" (Empire Burlesque outtake). Both have already circulated, but the sound quality here is a huge upgrade - the former corrects a cough left in the original rough mix (the source of the bootleg) and the latter is first-generation whereas the bootleg sounded like it came from a cassette.

I would almost add "Someone's Got a Hold of My Heart" (Infidels outtake) except I don't like the new mix - they mixed up a guitar part that feels wrong for this performance. The Genuine Bootleg Series (easily found) has a better mix and sounds like it used a clean DAT copy (other bootlegs sound like off-pitch cassettes). A shame they didn't use the same mix for the official release because IMHO it's the best version of this sound and should have made the album.

"Too Late" (acoustic version – Infidels outtake) is excellent, radically different than the final version we know as "Foot of Pride." I prefer "Foot of Pride" but the early version is so different (and still good), it was worth releasing and putting on the 2CD set.

Nice to finally have a Dylan recording of "Let's Keep It Between Us" (rehearsal) officially released. It's very close to the recording Bonnie Raitt originally put out - same arrangement - so not a revelation, but nice to have.

"Jokerman" (Infidels alternate take) is my favorite of the alternates. In some ways the vocal is arguably more appealing, but it wouldn't have fit the album as well.

"License to Kill" (live on Late Night with David Letterman, March 22, 1984) is great - they left it off the 2CD set but the video is easily found if you search on Google. The best of the three Letterman numbers, but they should have put them all out.

"Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love)" (Empire Burlesque alternate mix) is excellent. All the new mixes of the Empire Burlesque songs are good, but this is the only new mix that uses the master take.

* IMHO it's the best version of this song

Thanks Birdistheword for your comments on tracks from the 2CD set.

The song 'let's keep it between us' is new to me but seems a really interesting piece of songwriting.

Dylan sent that to Bonnie Raitt, never did release his own version 'til now: it seemed like it might have been written with her in mind, and hearing how closely she followed his demo---while still sounding entirely Raitt--reinforces the way it seems tailormade for her.
Just now occurred to me that "(Let's Give Them) Something to Talk About"---by Shirley Eikhard; wonder what her other stuff is like---something of a breakthrough hit for Raitt, 20 years after she started making records, is also a turn-around sequel: "No, let's don't keep it between us, not any more." 90s-bold!

But "Let's Keep It" is sexy, a little angry,maybe been burned by gossip before, but fuck it, this is too good for those nosy bastards, let's curl up in here again. An 80s song, while the blaring digital drums and AIDS headlines and rumor-fearmongers parade by outside.