The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991
Bob Dylan · 1991
231 min · 58 tracks · blues · folk rock · jazz
A treasure trove of rare performances and unreleased songs capturing Dylan's evolving artistry across three decades.
Why this album works
This compilation is significant for its extensive exploration of Dylan's unreleased material, showcasing the breadth of his songwriting prowess. It has been praised for its critical reception, earning recognition as a landmark release that revitalized interest in his archival recordings and ultimately leading to the establishment of the ongoing Bootleg Series.
- Best for
- live performances with raw energy deep dives into lyrical storytelling historical context through unreleased tracks
- Context
- When 'The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3' was released in 1991, Bob Dylan was enjoying a resurgence in popularity following his critically acclaimed album 'Oh Mercy.' This collection came at a time when Dylan was reflecting on his prolific career and offering fans a deeper look into the creative process behind some of his most beloved works.
- 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 Hard Times in New York Town (live) 2:18
- 2 He Was a Friend of Mine 4:03
- 3 Man on the Street 1:56
- 4 No More Auction Block (live) 3:03
- 5 House Carpenter 4:08
- 6 Talking Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues 3:45
- 7 Let Me Die in My Footsteps 3:33
- 8 Rambling, Gambling Willie 4:13
- 9 Talkin’ Hava Negeilah Blues 0:52
- 10 Quit Your Low Down Ways 2:39
- 11 Worried Blues 2:39
- 12 Kingsport Town 3:29
- 13 Walkin’ Down the Line 2:52
- 14 Walls of Red Wing 5:05
- 15 Paths of Victory 3:17
- 16 Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues (live) 4:25
- 17 Who Killed Davey Moore? (live) 3:09
- 18 Only a Hobo 3:29
- 19 Moonshiner 5:06
- 20 When the Ship Comes In 2:55
- 21 The Times They Are A‐Changin’ 3:00
- 22 Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie (live) 7:08
Disc 2
- 1 Seven Curses 3:49
- 2 Eternal Circle 2:38
- 3 Suze (The Cough Song) 1:58
- 4 Mama, You Been on My Mind 2:56
- 5 Farewell, Angelina 5:27
- 6 Subterranean Homesick Blues 2:56
- 7 If You Gotta Go, Go Now 2:56
- 8 Sitting on a Barbed Wire Fence 3:54
- 9 Like a Rolling Stone 1:36
- 10 It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry 3:22
- 11 I’ll Keep It With Mine 3:39
- 12 She’s Your Lover Now 6:10
- 13 I Shall Be Released 3:56
- 14 Santa Fe 2:10
- 15 If Not for You 3:33
- 16 Wallflower 2:49
- 17 Nobody ’Cept You 2:41
- 18 Tangled Up in Blue Standout 6:51
- 19 Call Letter Blues 4:27
- 20 Idiot Wind 8:52
Disc 3
- 1 If You See Her, Say Hello 3:45
- 2 Golden Loom 4:26
- 3 Catfish 2:48
- 4 Seven Days 4:00
- 5 Ye Shall Be Changed 4:09
- 6 Every Grain of Sand 3:38
- 7 You Changed My Life 5:14
- 8 Need a Woman 5:43
- 9 Angelina 6:57
- 10 Someone’s Got a Hold of My Heart 4:33
- 11 Tell Me 4:24
- 12 Lord Protect My Child 3:57
- 13 Foot of Pride 5:57
- 14 Blind Willie McTell Standout 5:52
- 15 When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky 5:37
- 16 Series of Dreams 5:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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