The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964 cover

The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964

Bob Dylan · 2010

150 min · 47 tracks · blues · folk rock · jazz

Raw, intimate folk melodies intertwine with poignant storytelling, capturing the essence of early 1960s Americana.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • intimate storytelling in raw form
  • for reflective afternoons
  • brief snippets of poignant emotion
  • nostalgic echoes of americana
  • session for deep lyrical exploration

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking high-energy listening
  • prefer polished production values

Where this album fits

Themes
1960s protest anthems· American folk revival· social consciousness· Cold War tensions
Career context
The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos marks a significant release in Bob Dylan's career during the mid-2010s, when he was revisiting his formative years as a songwriter. Released in 2010, this collection showcases demos from 1962 to 1964, prior to his breakthrough album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'. It highlights his evolution from an obscure folk artist to a pivotal cultural figure.
Stylistic neighbors
Leonard Cohen· Neil Young· Johnny Cash
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Joan Baez in Concert, Part 2 by Joan Baez — Features raw folk melodies and social consciousness, echoing the early '60s protest spirit.
I Ain't Marching Anymore by Phil Ochs — Shares poignant storytelling and themes of social justice, rooted in the same era.
Dust Bowl Ballads by Woody Guthrie — Captures intimate folk narratives that reflect American struggles, resonating with Dylan's early work.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Man on the Street (fragment) 1:07
  • 2 Hard Times in New York Town 1:57
  • 3 Poor Boy Blues 3:01
  • 4 Ballad for a Friend 2:23
  • 5 Rambling, Gambling Willie 3:38
  • 6 Talking Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues 3:42
  • 7 Standing on the Highway 2:32
  • 8 Man on the Street 1:30
  • 9 Blowin’ in the Wind 2:38
  • 10 Long Ago, Far Away 2:29
  • 11 A Hard Rain’s A‐Gonna Fall 6:49
  • 12 Tomorrow Is a Long Time 3:46
  • 13 The Death of Emmett Till 4:32
  • 14 Let Me Die in My Footsteps 1:37
  • 15 Ballad of Hollis Brown 4:08
  • 16 Quit Your Low Down Ways 2:50
  • 17 Baby, I’m in the Mood for You 1:36
  • 18 Bound to Lose, Bound to Win 1:19
  • 19 All Over You 3:52
  • 20 I’d Hate to Be You on That Dreadful Day 2:00
  • 21 Long Time Gone 3:46
  • 22 Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues 3:17
  • 23 Masters of War 4:23
  • 24 Oxford Town 2:33
  • 25 Farewell 3:58

Disc 2

  • 1 Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right 3:38
  • 2 Walkin’ Down the Line 3:23
  • 3 I Shall Be Free 4:30
  • 4 Bob Dylan’s Blues 1:58
  • 5 Bob Dylan’s Dream 3:53
  • 6 Boots of Spanish Leather 5:49
  • 7 Girl From the North Country 3:09
  • 8 Seven Curses 3:13
  • 9 Hero Blues 1:36
  • 10 Whatcha Gonna Do? 3:36
  • 11 Gypsy Lou 3:45
  • 12 Ain’t Gonna Grieve 1:28
  • 13 John Brown 4:19
  • 14 Only a Hobo 2:25
  • 15 When the Ship Comes In 2:56
  • 16 The Times They Are A‐Changin’ 3:03
  • 17 Paths of Victory 4:11
  • 18 Guess I’m Doing Fine 4:08
  • 19 Baby, Let Me Follow You Down 1:56
  • 20 Mama, You Been on My Mind 2:14
  • 21 Mr. Tambourine Man 5:55
  • 22 I’ll Keep It With Mine 3:34

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata