Bob Dylan "The Bootleg Series" – overview and possible future projects

The existence of this tape makes me wonder if Bob and the Hawks rehearsed prior to their summer '66 tour. His motorcycle accident happened, IIRC, only five days before the first gig. If they all took time off after the European tour, they probably hadn't played together in just over two months, which makes me think they would have been rehearsing at the time, or at least had a plan in place. Maybe it was recorded? (Maybe not?) Maybe they never got around to it.

 

We're all dying to see that. Everybody. Even the people who aren't dedicated fans want to see that. It's a world-wide universal interest. But Dylan appears to be against it, for reasons known only to himself.

 

Not sure which category I'm in at 36, but I'm definitely interested in more Bootleg Series(es). I want a 74/75 box most of all at the moment.

 

It's a bit off-topic, but I thought folks might be interested to learn that Sony Japan is releasing a 2CD set this summer called "Live 1962-66: Rare Performances from The Copyright Collections."

日本企画の来日記念盤『ライヴ：1962-1966～追憶のレア・パフォーマンス』、7月18 日発売決定！ ボブ・ディラン、フォークからエレクトリックへの時代を築いた名演の数々が遂に正式CD化！

I've done a Google translate on the track listing. As you might expect, some of the track titles are a little wonky (I'm rather fond of "Skinny ballad" but "Mr. Tumblin Man" is awesome too) but most of them can be puzzled out with a little thought. If not, we can cross check the dates if any remain murky.

Disc 1
1. Blowin 'in the Wind (April 16, 1962)
2. Corinna, Corrina (April 16, 1962)
3. John Brown (April 12, 1963)
4. Do not panic (April 12, 1963)
5. Bob Dylan's Dream (April 12, 1963)
6. Seven Curse (April 12, 1963)
7. Spain leather boots (April 12, 1963)
8. The boss of war (October 26, 1963)
9. Lonely death of Hattie Carroll (October 26, 1963)
10. When a ship comes in (August 28, 1963)
11. The times change (May 17, 1964)
12. The girl in the north (May 17, 1964)
13. Mr. Tumblin Man (May 17, 1964)
14. Sad Beybe (May 17, 1964)
15. To Ramona (July 26, 1964)
16. Liberty Bell (May 17, 1964)

Disc 2
1. In the usual morning (June 1, 1965)
2. It's All Right Ma (April 30, 1965)
3. Love minus zero / no limit (May 1, 1965)
4. The gate of Eden (May 7, 1965)
5. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (May 1, 1965)
6. Sea Bongungs to Me (May 10, 1965)
7. Maggies Farm (September 3, 1965)
8. Sadness endlessly (July 25, 1965)
9. The city of ruins (April 13, 1966) *
10. Please take me (May 11, 1966) *
11. I Do not Believe You (May 11, 1966) *
12. Skinny ballad (May 20, 1966) *
13. Joanna's Vision (May 6, 1966) *
14. Like a Rolling Stone (May 17, 1966) *

Here's a Amazon Japan link:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/ライヴ-1962-1...527866645&sr=8-2&keywords=Bob+dylan+copyright

My order came to just under $35 (with shipping) for US delivery.

 

So this would seem to be the first official release of material from the Copyright sets, unexpectedly beating the upcoming Gaslight set (unless that's coming sooner than we've currently got reason to believe).

 

Thanks for sharing. This is major news! Interesting that the live '66 stuff got lumped in with the copyright collections. The Manchester "Like a Rolling Stone" yet again?

 

I must admit "Do Not Panic" is eluding me. It's the Town Hall 63 show.

 

Would make a great double lp!

 

That is odd.

 

I'd go with "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right".

 

Yep. That's sounds right.

 

lol @ 'the boss of war.' 'in the usual morning' etc. Love translationese.

 

Think of all the typing we all could have saved over the years if he had just named "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" "Sadness Endlessly".

Google Translator 1, Dylan 0.

 

The '64 Royal Festival Hall show is nicely represented. That's one that would be nice to get in it's entirety on CD.

 

"The City of Ruins" = "Desolation Row"?

 

That seems likely. More likely than Dylan covering a then-unwritten Springsteen song in 66, at least.

 

CD Japan also has this title:

Live: 1962- 1966 [Blu-spec CD2] Bob Dylan CD Album

 

So I guess if you have none of this stuff, this is a wonderful addition to your collection.

If you have all of this stuff, about a quarter of it (the 1962 & 1966 material) is completely superfluous, and the remainder represents upgrades over vinyl and mp3 sources. I guess that's worth $35.

 

I'm a little surprised the set avoids unreleased originals and covers from the era. Songs like "Dusty Old Fairground" and "Hiding Too Long" might not be lost masterpieces, but they could be helpful in marketing this collection. I have to conclude Dylan's folks didn't allow it (perhaps saving that sort of material for a future release).

 

Many thanks @DeeThomaz for the heads up.

Thanks also to @John Rhett Thomas for the CDJapan link. That web site is user-friendly so I'm giving them a go for the first time. A (known-to-be-not-too-reliable) retailer here is offering the set at £40. CDJapan price, with the least expensive tracking option on the postage, is about £25.

Not entirely sure how I've convinced myself I need it, but Bob Inc. hasn't been particularly generous with product so far this year so....

Maybe they'll add some banter...?

 

Without doing a cross check, I'm assuming everything is previously released on the Copyright sets?

 

I’m sure that’s what The Cure will call it if they ever chose to cover the song.

 

I believe so, yes, if you consider the '66 box a copyright extension release.

This is the fourth time around for "Like a Rolling Stone" from Manchester! (Bootleg Series 4, No Direction Home, '66 box)

 

Every time they release it, I keep hoping someone “screws up” and uses the alternate mix.

 

I already forgot it was on No Direction Home. I got that set last year, and when I ripped it, I trimmed off the '66 live tracks (and the Witmark demos. I kept the 65-66 studio outtakes as they are different mixes to the Cutting Edge. Oh, and of course cut out Song For Woody too!)