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Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8

by: Bob Dylan

October 07, 2008
So now we are up to Volume 8 in the long running Bob Dylan "Bootleg" series, first started in 1991. The "Bootleg" series has focused on 1960s and 1970s recordings, but this release ventures in new territory, as it looks back on (broadly defined) the last 20 years of Bob Dylan.

When listening to "The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8. Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989 - 2006" (2 CDs, 27 tracks, 138 min.), the first thing that immediately strikes your attention is that unreleased and alternate tracks from 1989's "Oh Mercy" and 1997's "Time Out of Mind" cover about half this release (13 tracks, to be precise), and simply confirm how much on the top of his game Dyland was at those times. The crowning moments for me are the 2 alternate ... Read More:

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The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 : Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991

by: Bob Dylan

August 19, 1997
This is an absolutely incredible collection that anyone who even remotely likes Bob Dylan should own. I purchased it brand new and it came in wrapping, but it consistently skips on one song at the same place. I noticed slight gouges in the CD.

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Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8 (Deluxe)

by: Bob Dylan

October 07, 2008
So now we are up to Volume 8 in the long running Bob Dylan "Bootleg" series, first started in 1991. The "Bootleg" series has focused on 1960s and 1970s recordings, but this release ventures in new territory, as it looks back on (broadly defined) the last 20 years of Bob Dylan.

When listening to "The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8. Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989 - 2006" (2 CDs, 27 tracks, 138 min.), the first thing that immediately strikes your attention is that unreleased and alternate tracks from 1989's "Oh Mercy" and 1997's "Time Out of Mind" cover about half this release (13 tracks, to be precise), and simply confirm how much on the top of his game Dyland was at those times. The crowning moments for me are the 2 alternate takes of ... Read More:

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The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989-2006

by: Bob Dylan

November 04, 2008
I haven't liked the last couple of Dylan releases. I know the critics loved them--some of his best reviews ever---but...don't they sound different? The structures are predictable -I am not sure where the lyrics come from but most songs sound very odd to my seasoned "Dylan Ear". But this recording feels like Dylan. His voice isn't as postured and the band sounds relaxed. The first disc is Dylan at his best and the second has it's moments but... The slow blues numbers are classic and the band shines. The alternate versions of several songs show us his genius and pay attention to how he nails each take vocally. Who says he can't sing. A must for Dylan fans. I have a lingering thought that maybe the best Dylan we will hear from now on will be from alternate ... Read More:

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Blood on the Tracks

by: Bob Dylan

June 01, 2004
If Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks (1975) isn't his greatest album, it's certainly his most perfect. There isn't a single blemish on this flawless classic, and as it effortlessly flows from start to finish with raw emotion and acoustic beauty, it gives the listener a clear image of the depth and range of the emotioanal turmoil that Dylan was experiencing at the time.

I wouldn't exactly call Blood on the Tracks a concept album, but the theme of a marriage that has fallen apart is apparent in nearly every song here. The collapse of Dylan's marriage to Sara Lowndes is said to be the inspiration for the album.

One of the things that sets Blood on the Tracks apart from many of Dylan's other albums is the sheer beauty of it's sound. The wonderful ... Read More:

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Highway 61 Revisited

by: Bob Dylan

June 01, 2004
Yawn! Why is this album in such high regard? It's crap. It's just a commercial computer manufactured pile of flaming poo. The guy can't even play guitar! He only knows how to play two chords. I think it's about time someone showed this hack to write music- Fred Durst, perhaps?

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The Essential Bob Dylan (Rm) (2CD)

by: Bob Dylan

October 31, 2000
I had forgotten how badly Dylan sings while being so good at it. A nice collection of his work.

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Blonde on Blonde

by: Bob Dylan

June 01, 2004
I bought this album a few years ago and I can can still find pleasure in it like no other album. The musicianship, lyrics, and Dylan's singing are like none that no musical artist has yet to duplicate. This would definately be at the top of Dylan's great albums along with Highway 61 Revisited and Blood on the Tracks. Need I say more.

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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

by: Bob Dylan

June 01, 2004
It was with "Freewheelin'", his second album, that Bob Dylan established himself as a great songwriter. Featured are all-time classics like "Blowin' In The Wind", "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" and "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". But some lesser known gems, such as "Bob Dylan's Dream", are also included. "Masters Of War" is at an anti-war song with Dylan at his most venomous and "Girl From The North Country" is one of his most beautiful romantic ballads.

This is a young, idealistic Dylan playing raw, stripped down folk music. But with witty, perceptive and extremely sardonic lyrics that take it to a whole new level. To see the glorious roots of the best songwriter of the last 50 years there is no better place to start than here.

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The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live, 1966: The "Royal Albert Hall Concert"

by: Bob Dylan

October 13, 1998
For a while the most bootlegged rock record of all. When this was released in 1998 I rushed out and bought it immediately. I had an old cassette recording that somebody had copied from somebody else from a bootleg LP. So at least 3rd hand and thought I would never see the day that Dylan allowed this to be issued properly.

I'm not going to talk about the recordings, as other reviewers have already covered these in ample detail. The CD's (2) are well packaged with a 54 page booklet which gives you a lot of information into the background and history of these recordings. As a leftfield starter the booklet mentions the famous 1913 Stravinsky performance of "The Rite of Spring" which caused a riot. Despite this excellent packaging its the recordings that will grab you by the ... Read More: