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.
Why this album works
This album is notable for its critical reception, providing insights into Dylan's formative songwriting process and offering previously unreleased material that reveals his development as an artist. It deepened appreciation for his early work and contributed to ongoing scholarly discussions about the social impact of his lyrics during the civil rights movement and anti-war sentiments of the 1960s.
- Best for
- intimate storytelling in raw form for reflective afternoons brief snippets of poignant emotion
- 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
- Tom Waits· Frank Zappa· Prince· Chicago· Blood, Sweat & Tears· Bette Midler· The Pointer Sisters· Steely Dan
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 Standout 2:38
- 10 Long Ago, Far Away 2:29
- 11 A Hard Rain’s A‐Gonna Fall Standout 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 Standout 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
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.