Undoubtedly, the most influential folk singer/songwriter is non other than Bob Dylan. And what a great time to be a Dylan fan, he's just released his latest Bootleg series, The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989-2006, last Tuesday, and in a few weeks a (fan?) documentary Inside Bob Dylan's Jesus Years: Busy Being Born Again also comes out.
Where they last left off in the long-running so-called bootleg series, #7, those recording were rare and unreleased tracks from 1961 and 1966 (which included his very first recorded song, "When I Got Troubles"). I'm pleased to see that #8 focuses more on his recent material, from his No Mercy (1989) to Modern Times (2006). It's compelling because it would seem that only his last three releases (Time Out of Mind, Love and Theft, and Modern Times) seems to be in the public's eye because they charted in the top 10 on the US charts.
Anyway, although there's no credit(s) on whoever compiled these tracks, it's evident to me that Larry "Ratso" Sloman must've had a hand in suggestions: not only did he write the introduction in the 60-page booklet, but he also painstakingly wrote notes for each of the 27 songs. I'm glad that Columbia Records is letting this massive fan put together the series, because only Dylan's hardcore fans/completist can truly make this worthwhile.
The Sloman essay details about his first GWW (Great White Wonder) bootleg to more recent quotes about his 2006 album, Modern Times. I suggest that anyone picking up this album to read it, as I suspect the majority of fans won't take the time to read the liner notes.
I had to dig out his last album, Modern Times to compare some of the tracks, to see what the differences are: and they are far apart. The alternative version of "Ain't Talkin'" is a little more upbeat, his vocals seems a little faster-paced. The version that did made it on Modern Times has more space in the song. When it comes down to it, both version of the song is amazing, but I felt the Modern Times version ultimately fit the album.
Also, one interesting thing that I've observed is that as Dylan ages, his voice becomes more and more bluesy, so songs like "Marchin' to the City" (unreleased) and "Lonesome Day Blues" (live) sounds even better as he's gotten older!
Columbia Records did the smart thing and released this as a stripped down CD (retails $10), but I would recommend paying an extra $5 to get the 2-disc edition with slipcase and a 60-page booklet... which I think most people are going to get. Super hardcore Dylan fans might want to check out the deluxe version of The Bootleg Series #8, as it comes with a bonus 12-track CD, a slipcase, a hardbound book (150 pages). The price is pretty steep: over $100, you know you're worth it.
Bob Dylan's The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8 is out now and you can find this at any record store. Still not convince? Download a free song from this album through Amazon.com.
Links: bobdylan.com myspace.com/bobdylan
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