Bob Dylan: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 17: "Fragments - Time Out of Mind Sessions" [1/27/23]*

Does anyone else like this version of Make You Feel My Love? I think it’s excellent.

 

1958

 

Isn't it established that the "30 minute version" was a tongue in cheek comment that someone else took too seriously?

 

That's the way I've always understood it.

 

Could be the inspiration for a new thread, or a sub-thread - Worst Bob Dylan cover version you've ever heard.

It's William Shatner's genuinely shocking re-interpretation of Mr Tambourine Man for me, all day long. A remarkably ill-advised ride through Bob's transcendental masterpiece that reduces it to little more than rubble. An essential listen really.

 

Which leads one to ask....
"is that a real poncho... I mean
Is that a Mexican poncho
Or is that a Sears poncho?
Hmmm... No foolin..."

 

I remember it seemed strange when the Street Legal remix came out that a whole album had been remixed. I loved it since first hearing it in the early 80s. Then I heard the remix and it quickly became the new standard version - I virtually never listen to the original release. However, it was more of a clean up than a radically different sounding record. For me, the album most in need of a radical remix is Empire Burlesque, and we have that partially on Springtime. TOOM isn’t one I’ve wished for a remix of but I’m very curious to hear it and based on the alternate Lovesick, it could well outshine the original.

 

I do.

 

I would absolutely love a full remix of Empire and would buy it immediately as well. This could also be another thing they f--ed up on Springtime. Those forty minute or so discs had plenty of room for a full Empire remix. I mean...look at what we're getting in a few months?

 

Yes.

 

I know!

 

Disappointing that we don't get the Not Dark Yet from the Teatro sessions that Lanois has talked favorably about.
Especially since this version is also mentioned in the liner notes to this set. (It's possible read some of the pages if you pause the unboxing video)

 

That is an odd decision. Lanois spoke favorable of it...that must be the reason why it's not here! Damn shame it's not included of course; just add it to the downright perverse decisions that have been a part of the Bootleg Series over the years.

 

I'm still hoping that there' s a version with that spirit (or the demo with later overdubs) in one of the CDs.

 

I've never heard that original Street Legal mix, but I remember the new mix being spoken of with caution when it first appeared. Don't know why, it's a natural sounding listen. Maybe because it was hammered by critics when it first came out? Definitely an album I initially underestimated. It has the odd lesser moment but overall I find it an engaging record with some of Bob's most wilfully strange yet picturesque lyric writing.

 

The 1999 mix definitely is superior, imo. You should check out the original just to hear it. To me, it's like a layer of mud was covering the speakers the first time around which was removed for the remix.
That said, I know of some people that still find the original mix better.

 

I love the 1999 remix, especially with some decent headphones. As someone said above, it's like a muddy layer was removed. The instrument separation is much improved and Dylan's vocals are clearer.

"Changing of the Guards" and "Señor" really benefit from the remix. I never listen to the original anymore.

 

My guess is the latter is what we'll get in this set. I personally would find it hard to believe that the liner notes would talk in-depth about a version of a song that's not on this set. The only time I can think of anything similar happening with The Bootleg Series is when the Vol. 1-3 liner notes made a quick mention that there was organ in the included version of "Idiot Wind" when there wasn't. But that could have come down to just some confusion as to what take/mix was included.

 

I'm sure all the 70's Cocaine parti

The worst Bob Dylan cover song is "the boxer" for sure.

 

Also noticeable from the unboxing video (about 40 seconds in) is that Douglas Brinkley has written an essay on the songs. Were we not anticipating a book from him these last few months or years?

 

Yes I even had a preorder in for it but it was cancelled without explanation and has vanished without a trace. Unravelled Tales I think was the title

 

It's not an in-depth discussion of the Teatro version. Just a sentence in passing while talking about the Criteria sessions.

 

Are there any screen captures (or transcriptions) of this sentence?

 

Perhaps that demo will be released on a limited VHS cassette?

 

The Spooky Organ "Idiot Wind" was scheduled to be included on BS 1-3 when John Bauldie was advised of the track list, so that is what he wrote about for the liner notes. There was a last minute switcheroo because Spooky Organ was already circulating from the Test Pressing pirates and DylanInc decided they wanted to give the fans a Take they hadn't heard. The liner notes were not updated to account for the change. There are a couple other songs on there that were switcheroo'd after JB had submitted his notes, I believe, but I can't remember which ones they were for the moment.