Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 : Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991

Bob Dylan has always been incredibly prolific, only releasing a fraction of what he records. Such a policy has made him a prime target for bootleggers over the years, finally prompting this sanctioned 1991 triple-disc dive into the Dylan vaults. It consists of rare tracks, unreleased outtakes, early versions of classics ("Times They Are a-Changin'," "Like a Rolling Stone," "I Shall Be Released"), and alternate versions that sometimes cut the originals ("Idiot Wind"). A measure of Dylan's depth is his list of discarded songs ("She's Your Lover Now," "Blind Willie McTell," "Series of Dreams") that would be the crown jewels of most catalogs. These 58 tracks serve as a shadow history of one of our most important artists. --Ben Edmonds Amazon.com

BD bootleg series 1-3

This is an absolutely incredible collection that anyone who even remotely likes Bob Dylan should own. I purchased it brand new and it came in wrapping, but it consistently skips on one song at the same place. I noticed slight gouges in the CD. June 27, 2008

Some Surprisers for Even the Bootleggers

This is the first of the Bob Dylan official Bootleg Series offered by CBS/Sony and it offers up a delicious set of recordings that any Dylan fan just has to love. Most of these songs have appeared on Bootlegs over the years, but not all of them. There are some gems here that must have been shockers to both Dylan fans and Dylan bootleggers alike, especially the hauntingly beautiful "Farewell Angelina" that Dylan gave to Joan Baez to record. Hearing Dylan do it himself is a pure pleasure. And the two closing songs, "When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky" and "Series of Dreams" are just outstanding. What a rock song, "When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky" is. Wow!

I particularly like the Infidels outtakes on disc three, from "Tell Me" through "Blind Willie McTell." But wait! There's more," the Alternate take of "Subterranean Homesick Blues," is just as good as the original and will have you singing the words right along with Dylan, if you still know 'em, that is. "Nobody 'Cept You," left off of Planet Waves is a heart rendering love song, "She's Your Lover Now," left off of "Blonde on Blonde, because they never got the last verse right, is a song I play all the time. Actually I play this whole set all the time. It's just great. April 10, 2008

The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 : Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991 (Purchased on 02/12/2008)

I am very pleased with the product-most liked tracks were the later ones particularly willie mctell March 31, 2008

WOW Factor

I would let all of the 5 star reviews on here speak for themselves but I feel compelled to interject with my twocents. I bought this compilation way back when it was released (1991-ish?) and I was quite frankly blown away. That the music is unique in both content and substance goes without saying, however there is a certain depth here. This is music that has the ability to move you and open new spiritual horizons. Humor, sincerity, a plea to the better angels of our nature, etc.; all of these you will find for your listening pleasure on the Bob Dylan Bootleg series, lo these 17 years hence. March 30, 2008

Essential Dylan

This is by far the best album in my collection and every time you listen to it I feel like I could be sat in a little club in the sixties listening to Dylan on stage.

A must have for any collection 5 stars!! March 1, 2008

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