Travelin' Thru, 1967 - 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 15

Consider this fair warning: Travelin Thru: Bootleg Series 15 Is NOT meant for public consumption. Please advise when I caution that, of the fourteen entries in the Bootleg Series preceding this entry, 15 is certainly the most bootleg of them all. Disc 1 (or vinyl sides A and B, if you will) is comprised of outtakes from John Wesley Harding and Nashville Skyline. It is, of the three parts, the most atypical comparatively speaking. Then there’s disc 2 and the first third of disc 3 (this splits more evenly across the vinyl, ala sides C, D, and E) as the bread and butter of this release … that is to say, the “featuring Johnny Cash” calling card.What to make of this? Many longtime, diehard fans, will have already gathered these sessions in their belongings… is there anything new? To my knowledge, no. Bob and Johnny got together to play some songs, see how things came together, feel the waters… that sort of thing. Did it work out? Sometimes, yes… sometimes, kind of… sometimes… perhaps? A lot of the middle of this entry is simply that: Bob and Johnny feeling each other out. Does it work? I’m apt to say, yes, it does. I’ve listened to it on repeat, numerous times, and it’s lovely. Is it meant for public consumption? No.There is rumor they considered putting these tracks out on an album, but the next morning they were like, ‘nah, let’s not.’ And you know what? That’s fine. They grabbed the best from the lot and it kicks off Nashville Skyline anyhow. If you’re a casual fan, I’ll be honest… this probably isn’t for you. Now then, if you aren’t scarred off yet, what’s left to say? In all honesty, I’ve listened to every Bootleg Series to date, multiple, sometimes even obsessive times over, and this is easily in my top 5. Why? Because. It’s. Amazing.If I still have you’re attention then I candidly hope you’re among those who know that possessing another outtake of All Along the Watchtower is truly a thing of beauty. That doesn’t do it for you? Well there are outtakes of damn near all the important songs from this era for Bob, and then some. The majority of disc 3 (vinyl side F, if you’d rather) is taken from Self Portrait and the Earl Scruggs sessions… it is revelatory. Make no mistake: if this were priced higher, I may have other words. However, for the price, this is absolutely, positively, worth it.Now then, if you’re *still with me... Is this release because of the Euro 50-year copyright laws thingy-ma-bob? Absolutely. I have no doubt if that law wasn’t an issue in Europe, this wouldn’t be a release today. There are at least 10 other Bob Dylan bootleg series releases that are more pressing than this one. Am I disappointed? Comparatively? Sure. I would love a number of other releases instead. Does that makes what we have here bad? Hell no. This is some amazing good-good, and I guarantee I’ll be listening to it till my dying breath. Is it meant for public consumption? Nah fam, it never was, not really. Is it great? If you’ve read this long, just buy the sonuvagun.

"The producers tried to let the character of those recordings dictate the presentation."Like others I've been waiting years for an official release of more music from Dylan and Johnny Cash. Admittedly this is a side of Dylan far away from albums like Highway 51 or later, Blood On The Tracks. But this latest in the Bootleg Series is another piece of the Dylan music puzzle, even though it lasted only about two years.Disc 1 has some alternates from the John Wesley Harding album (tracks 1-8) plus alternates and an outtake (tracks 9-15) from the Nashville Skyline album. And while I've always liked the Harding album, the various takes of songs heard here aren't all that different from what we've already heard on the original album. They're nice to hear but certainly not revelatory. The arrangements are close to the finished tracks, but as I said, anything from these sessions is nice to hear. The Skyline versions too are close to the finished tracks with slight variations, but again, nothing really new. The song "To Be Alone With You" is a nice up tempo tune as is "One More Night". The bluesy outtake "Western Road" is worthwhile because its a rarity for Dylan and mostly because its just a good tune with a great arrangement.Disc 2 begins the Dylan-Cash sessions, and its here that fans of Cash/Dylan/country music will find the most meat on this set. But all through these recordings its hard not to feel that Dylan is slightly in awe of Cash. Sitting there playing guitars and singing with a titan of country music must've been somewhat intimidating even for Dylan. All through the recordings, the talk between Dylan and Cash in between songs is warm and comfortable. But Dylan takes a backseat to Cash on most of these songs with Cash seeming to lead things. But saying that, its great to hear more from these sessions, which I've waited for, for many years. The music is relaxed and comfortable with both Dylan and Cash playing their way through a number of Cash songs. Songs like Cash's "I Still Miss Someone" and "Big River" are pure country from another era. Both Dylan and Cash trade vocals on "Big River" which is cool to hear. "Matchbox", "Ring Of Fire", and "Mystery Train/This Train is Bound For Glory" from these sessions are also nice to hear again.Disc 3 has more from the Dylan/ Cash sessions plus tracks from the Johnny Cash Show, and Self Portrait outtakes of "Ring Of Fire" and "Folsom Prison Blues". Also here are tracks from banjo master Earl Scruggs (including an interview with Scruggs that once you've heard it can be skipped over), and sons Randy (guitar) and Gary (bass), plus Dylan on guitar and vocals. Tracks five and six are medleys of Jimmy Rodgers' tunes that make for good listening if Rodgers songs are your cup of tea. They're relaxed and folksy medleys that spell out the words country music. The Cash TV songs "Threw It All Away" and "Living The Blues" with Dylan and a small band bring back memories of watching Cash's show for many people around back then. If you weren't around then its hard to realize what Cash having a TV show and having Dylan as a guest meant to so many then. Final song "Girl From The North Country" with Dylan and Cash in a duet is what many people remember from this show and for good reason--its simply a good performance from both men.The outtakes that form the Self Portrait album I'll leave alone--to each his own on these tracks. The musical tracks from Scruggs are another slice of Dylan going country. "East Virginia Blues" (heard on the '71 documentary "Earl Scruggs: Family and Friends") has Dylan singing along with Scruggs and family but Dylan isn't our front. "To Be Alone With You" is better with Dylan on vocals with some good old-timey playing from the Scruggs, as is "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance" which is a bit loose in the arrangement but fun to hear anyway. "Nashville Skyline Rag" has some good banjo picking from Scruggs with his son's equally good guitar picking. If country music from that era is to your liking you'll like these tracks.The discs slip into wallet style cardboard holders each having some good period photos and a track list on the inside panel. The 54 page booklet has a number of photos most of which we've seen before along with repros of handwritten lyrics. There's an Introduction from Ben Rollins plus two pages of thoughts on the music from Rosanne Cash There's a long essay by noted music writer Colin Escott that has good information on the sessions, plus a complete track list with personnel. Everything fits into a somewhat thin cardboard slipcase with a track list on the back cover. The sound is very good to excellent--warm and clean sounding--with the TV tracks slightly below that in fidelity.This period of Dylan's music was never a high point for many Dylan followers, but it is a good look into Dylan's continuing exploration of music. Will this release be the first choice to pull down from the shelf repeatedly? Probably not for many Dylan fans. Its nice to hear music from these sessions even if its not particularly revelatory. This set of music will make Cash/country music fans happier than many Dylan fans who heard this period of music as possibly some kind of stopgap before Dylan eventually released an album like Blood On The Tracks.

Como siempre sorprende con cada uno de sus discos es muy bueno

disco arrivato un poco rovinato: essendo il prodotto delicato ed il confezionamento assolutamente privo di protezioni, il disco è arrivato tutto schiacciato

15e volume déjà des archives de Dylan, souvent passionnantes mais à réserver aux fans assidus, complétistes, plus qu'à ceux et celles qui veulent le découvrir. Dans ce coffret 3 CD on explore les années 1967 à 1969 avec les albums John Wesley Harding et Nashville Skyline. Après les sessions énormes qui ont donné lieu à Blonde on blonde, Dylan se tourne dans ces excellents albums vers la country épurée. Ces enregistrements ont été l'occasion pour lui de travailler avec un artiste qu'il admire, l'immense Johnny Cash. Après le CD 1 qui reprend des prises alternatives de John Wesley et Nashville, les sessions en duo de Dylan et Cash font l'objet des CD 2 et 3 (en partie): elles sont fantastiques. On entend tout de suite la complicité entre eux avec plusieurs prises de Girl from the north country, évidemment (j'adore cette chanson) mais aussi des classiques de Cash (I still miss someone, Big river, Ring of fire, I walk the line...). Et même des classiques du rock'n'roll, That's all right, mama, Mystery Train ou Matchbox avec Carl Perkins en invité de luxe! Dylan était entouré d'excellents musiciens dont Charlie McCoy et Charlie Daniels, de vraies pointures. Enfin sur le CD 3 figurent les titres enregistrés par Dylan pour le Johnny Cash Show: un conseil, regardez le double DVD qui a été tiré de cette émission, une merveille! Et pour que Dylan vienne dans une émission télé, il fallait au-moins que l'invitation soit de Johnny Cash! Pour finir, quelques titres issus des sessions de Self Portrait en 1970, dans le même esprit. Décidément ces archives nous promettent encore de très belles découvertes et d'heures d'écoute, tant mieux! A quand maintenant les répétitions de la tournée avec le Grateful Dead?

Fundamentally, this is "Country Bob" - superb, stripped right back (a modern term in the music business these days), and telling it how it is.Primarily, these are the long awaited "official" releases of outtakes, demos etc from the 'John Wesley Harding' and 'Nashville Skyline' sessions, although a couple from 'Self Portrait' are slid in for good measure. Early version of 'All Along The Watchtower' is really interesting.The best part of this release is the Johnny Cash sessions and TV show - the bootleggers out there have been creaming the profits for years, so it is particularly delightful to see Sony grab back, remaster and put out on official release. Really superb these recordings...The book enclosed with the CD is very well written and highly informative. The "Bob" scholars like myself are pouring over this, checking and re-checking...Not much more to say except, sit yourself down with a glass of Moonshine, and transport yourself back to the ranch!

I already have a bootleg of the Dylan/Cash sessions which has more tracks on it than Travelling Thru, therefore I was slightly disappointed that more alternate tracks were not included. However, against this, it was a big surprise to see the alt versions from the JWH, NS & SP albums included and they are a delight. The final disc of song collaborations is interesting. Great value for 3 discs shedding light on an historically interesting period in Dylan’s career. Why did I award only 4 stars? I think that this is one album where Sony should have made a 6 disc deluxe version for die hard fans and I would then have given it 5 stars.