Bonus Bootlegged Dylan

'Another Self Portrait' by Bob Dylan. Volume Ten in his Bootleg series. Alternate and unreleased recordings from 1969-1971 and sessions during the making of his albums, 'Self Portrait', 'New Morning' and 'Nashville Skyline'.

I've said it many times before but I wish all my favorite musicians would follow Dylan's lead and release more of their alternate takes, demos,  unreleased takes, etc. I enjoy listening to these recordings as much as I do the finished albums. What more could a completist ask for?

Like the other volumes in the series, there's also a booklet detailing the period in time and these recordings with dozens of photographs.

A couple highlights are a cover of Eric Andersen's song, 'Thirsty Boots' and a stunning piano and violin version of 'If Not For You'. Others include the beautiful 'Copper Kettle' and 'If Dogs Run Free'.

Rolling Thunder Revue

There's almost 150 cuts and 633 minutes of music and chatter. Purchased this almost a year ago and because I've been attempting to be a Dylan completist, I felt called to pursue the entire collection of recordings. I initially tried to resist but that didn't work out so well. I'm finally breaking into these treasures tonight. Old memories of youth returning like it was just a short time ago. I look at something like this and have no idea where to start. The beginning seems too obvious. So I'm starting with the last disc in the collection.

I've always been fascinated with this period because Dylan was just coming off his album 'Blood On The Tracks' which I had gone through my Freshman year of college being obsessed with. At the time, the live recordings from this tour seemed like a letdown in comparison. Thankfully I see things much differently now. Time and history eventually break down misguided opinions.

I marvel at the thought that it's been almost half a century since these shows took place and that I was around at the time. These shows were all in the northeastern U.S. and Canada. I don't recall if Dylan passed through my Oregon on this tour. Amazing stuff!!

Finding My Mojo

Music sampler disc that came with the June issue of Mojo Magazine.

One Bob Dylan recording. One Dylan cover. Mostly Americana offerings from musicians who have some sort of association with or comparison to Dylan.

Like a great radio station with no commercials.

Highlight for me, 'New Partner' by Will Oldham.

Additional Highlight: 'You'll Miss It When It's Gone' by The Skiffle Players.

Vic Chesnutt

Singer/Songwriter from Georgia. His third album from 1993 with additional tracks added when remastered last year on New West Records. Unique voice and style. Haunting in spots, funny in other moments.

My introduction to his music was several years ago on the "Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation" benefit recording of various musicians covering his songs.

One of the bonus tracks on this record is a cover of Bob Dylan's, "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine."

Highly recommended!!!