DEEP BENEATH THE WAVES vol 77
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 21:35:31 EST
An exhaustive (and exhausting) commentary on the latest in a remarkable
series of triple disk sets providing a unique overview of the greatest
singer/songwriter/musician of our times........
THE THIRD ONE NOW (GENUINE BOOTLEG SERIES VOLUME 3) 3CD (GBS3)
Content: Myriad assortment of tracks from 1962-1995
DISK ONE: 1962-1966 Tracks: 17 Time: 76:38
1) Hard Times in New York (Mackenzie Tapes 1962)
Anyone notice the irony here? Same kickoff track as on BS1-3!! From
the legendary McKenzie home tapes but what appears to be a previously
uncirculating version and in terrific quality that far surpasses the
quality of the previously circulating MacKenzie home tapes. Cool
version done at a faster clip than the Minnesota Hotel '61 version on
BS1-3.
Note: quality on the other six (6) Mackenzie tracks below is equally
splendid. These are identified on GBS3 as being from the "Smith Home
tapes." First time on glass mastered CD for all these.
2) Death Of Emmett Till (Mackenzie Tapes 1962)
If you're reading this, you probably know this song well from the
Freewheelin' sessions or various other performances in the early
years. One of the great topical songs and a chilling performance.
"Emmett Till" is not listed by Dundas or Dylanbase as part of the
MacKenzie tapes but _is_ listed by Clinton Heylin in his Day By Day
book for 29 Jan 62 along with "Hard Times".
3) Sally Gal/The Girl I Left Behind (Oscar Brand show, WNYC, 10/29/61)
Previously available on "Sings For His Supper" (complete with the
interview), here's the 2 performed tracks in the same perfect quality
as on "..Supper." Fit's in nicely here, IMO. These two songs are on
the one CD track even though they were sung separately on the radio
show and not as a medley.
4) I Rode Out One Morning (Mackenzie Tapes 1962)
5) House Of the Rising Sun (Mackenzie Tapes 1962)
The beautiful, Mississippi John Hurt-influenced guitar playing on #4
is a joy. This one sounds like an outtake from Hurt's 1928 sessions
:-) What a pleasure to hear the gorgeous tones of his guitar in this
quality. A highlight. Both of these are from the 4th Mackenzie tape
from12 Apr 62 (in lesser quality) and neither previously available on
glass-mastered CD.
6) See That My Grave Is Kept Clean (Mackenzie Tapes 1962) (fragment)
7) Ballad Of Donald White (Mackenzie Tapes 1962)
More gems from the early songbook in near perfect quality,
particularly the chilling "Donald White," a frightening tale of
society as criminal. These are from the 3rd Mackenzie tape (again
identified as the "Smith" tape here), but found in much better quality
here, plus a longer "See That My Grave..."
8) Farewell (Witmark demo, NYC, March 1963)
A repeat from GBS1, also available on "The Witmark Years," "The
Witmark Demos" or "Through A Bullet Of Light."
9) Percy's Song (Carnegie Hall, NYC, 10/26/63)
From the unreleased "Bob Dylan In Concert" album, previously available
on the CD of the same name.
10) I Shall Be Free #10 (false start) alternate from acetate
11) I Shall Be Free #10 (Columbia Studios, NYC, 6/9/64) alternate
In reverse order from the CD insert details, these were recorded at
Columbia Studios, New York on 09 Jun 64 (CO82224). The full one is not
the alternate take from the Emmett Grogan Acetates or the Highway 61
Interactive CD- ROM, which is around a minute longer. I've yet to
compare these to the 5 takes on Spank's "Seven Years Of Bad Luck," but
they appear to be uncirculating.
12) If You Gotta Go, Go Now (listed as unknown '65 recording)
The NY Philharmonic live October 31, 1964 version. Available on many
releases but none as good as "All Hallow's Eve." Excellent sound.
13) It's Alright Ma (Les Crane Show, WABC-TV studios, 2/17/65
A mind-blowing version with Bruce Langhorne accompanying Dylan on
electric guitar. Nice upgrade from the very good sounding version on the
14CD "Highway 65 Revisited" box set, with the guitars ringing more clear
and true and a crisper sounding vocal.
14) Tombstone Blues (Columbia Studios, NYC, 7/29/65 w/Chambers Bros)
15) From A Buick 6 (Hollywood Bowl, 9/3/65)
The overdub version with the Chambers Bros. brought in on the
chorus......not hard to see why they did'nt use it. Still, a nice
curiosity piece and one that fits in well on the set, this one as an
"intro" to the live "From A Buick 6" from the Hollywood Bowl '65 show.
Raucous rave-up with some tasty Robbie leads in good quality (note:
the entirety of this show eventually surfaced in much better quality
and can be found on "From Newport to the Ancient Empty Streets Of
LA").
16) Visions of Johanna (Gaumont, Sheffield, UK, 5/16/66)
An otherworldy, ethereal version that assaults your senses. Superb
quality with a haunting kind of vibe, Dylan's vocal sounding like it's
drifting down from the clouds and covering you in a fog while
conquering your mind. Truly transcendant, perfect sounding version and
previously uncirculating.
17) Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat (Liverpool Odeon, UK, 5/14/66) Robbie at
his economical, "slice and dice" best. Check out the "cut through
ice" solos from 3:13-3:39 and 4:30 until the end. Dylan's vocal is so
confident and spot-on, this may be the definitive version.
Uncirculating.
DISK TWO Tracks: 18 Time: 76:27
1) Mr. Tambourine Man (Gaumont, Sheffield, UK 5/16/66)
Another uncirculating gem from Sheffield...ten minutes and 40 seconds
of pure genius, full of Dylan's unique phrasing, clipped delivery and
a harp run from 8:27 until the applause that will knock you out.
Perfection.
2) This Wheels' On Fire
3) You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
4) I Shall Be Released
5) Too Much of Nothing
6) You Ain't Goin' Nowhere 2
Don't be deceived by appearances. These are the Basement's like you've
never heard 'em, IN STEREO and, I mean IN WIIIIIDE STEREO!! A brand
new listening experience. "Go pick up your nose, you foreign bib..."
Wacky, uncategorizable, legendary, unique, meaningful and meaningless
...... all those things and more, in the way they were (or were not
:-) ) meant to be heard. Previously *included* on the Genuine
Basement's 1-5 but never sounding like this.
7) Folsom Prison Blues (Columbia Studios, Nashville, TN Mar 3, 1969)
8) Ring Of Fire (same as above)
Out-takes from "Self Portrait", recorded Columbia Studios, Nashville,
TN, 03 May 69, previously available on "Possum Belly Overalls".
9) Went to See The Gypsy (Columbia Studios, NYC, March 1970)
10) If Not For You (same as above)
11) Sign on the Window (same as above) w/instrumental/string overdubs done
at Columbia Studios, Nashville, TN 7/2/70)
Wonderfully "orchestrated" versions with oh-so emotive vocals from
Dylan. While "...Gypsy" is better served by the funky, upbeat backing
of the released version with that terrific "choppy" electric guitar
and Dylan's increasingly "excited" vocal as the song progresses, this
slower version with only electric piano and bass backing has a certain
charm. Dylan delivers the vocal on an even keel from start to finish
and, as on the entire "NM" album, sounds terrific. "If Not for You"
(electric piano, bass, steel guitar and violin) is, to put it mildly,
monumental. IMO, this version so far eclipses the released version as
to make any debate about which is better of the two ridiculous.
Slower, plaintive and oozing "truth," this version gets to the heart
of the lyrics and emotions behind the words much more powerfully than
the released version. Gorgeous use of the violin and steel guitar
brings this song home......a pure joy to hear Dylan sing it and one of
the highlights of this entire set. Of course, comparisons are
ludicrous when one realizes we can enjoy ALL 3 versions now (BS1-3
being the other), so it matters not which is "better," eh? "Sign on
the Window" is the same take as the released version but spiced up
with a full string orchestra and a terrific harp (yeah, the tall thing
that you sit down to strum), a divine flute (?) before the last verse
and perhaps a xylophone (you musicians out there, help us out here).
Very enjoyable and well done. Of course, it would be hard to do any
damage to this song, what with Dylan's vocal simply astounding. All 3
previously uncirculating.
Krogsgaard and Heylin disagree on the dates of both the recording and
overdubbing of these sessions.
12) Knockin' On Heaven's Door/Sweet Amarillo (Burbank Studios, CA Feb '73)
Great stuff from the "PG&BTK" sessions, "perhaps" previously available
on "Peco's Blues" and then again, it may be an alternate. "Sweet
Amarillo" unlisted on the track list. Perfect quality. Both recorded
at Burbank Studios, Los Angeles, CA, Feb 1973. Knockin' is an
alternate version although it sounds very much like the version that
was on the soundtrack of the original film (not the "Director's Cut").
Reportedly the boot CD is an edit of the circulating session tapes,
so this track may be from those and new to CD.
13) Nobody 'Cept You (Montreal Forum, CAN, 1/11/74)
Rare live audience recording in exceptional quality. Unavailable on CD.
14) Lily/Rosemary&Jack Of Hearts (Columbia A&R, NYC 9/12/74)
15) If You See Her, Say Hello (same as above)
Original "Blood" versions from the test pressing.....keeping the flow
going nicely. Available on "Blood on the Tracks-The NYC Sessions,"
among others.
16) Simple Twist Of Fate (WWTW-TV Studios, Chicago, IL 9/10/75)
17) Oh Sister (same as above)
Two cuts from the John Hammond PBS-TV special in superb quality. Both,
along w/Hurricane, previously available on "...Patty Valentine" and
"Live at the Warehouse" (as bonus cuts), albeit not in this crystal
clear quality. Oh, by the way, a couple of tremendous versions. Anyone
care to hazard a guess as to the identity of the woman who Dylan
dedicated "Oh, Sister" to?
18) Rita Mae (Columbia Studios, NYC, 7/14/75) B-side alternate take
Wild, raucous and totally revamped, with an even more upbeat and
energetic vocal from Dylan and sensational female back-up vocals, not
to mention the Clapton-like slide guitar cortesy of Dave Mason, who
apparently also provided the back-up singers. runs. Great stuff
......... and a bitch-slap to all the "pundits" who decried the
inclusion of the "b-side" on here. This ain't it, folks :-)
Disk Three: Tracks: 19 Time: 77:28
1) Never Let Me Go (Montreal Forum, 12/4/75)
Perfect quality from the R&C film and the "4 Songs From Renaldo &
Clara" promo 12" EP released Jan 1978. Also found on "Songs For Patty
Valentine," "Hard To Find 3" and others. Perfect quality.
2) Sign Language (Shangri-La, Malibu, CA March 1976)
An alternate version from Eric Clapton's album "No Reason To Cry" (1976).
3) Ballad Of A Thin Man (Rundown Studios, Santa Monica, CA Jan/Feb 78)
4) Blowin In The Wind (same as above)
5) Blowin In The Wind (same as above)
A few more gems to add to the terrific Rundown's already circulating.
Excellent quality versions that sound like anything but rehearsals -
polished, poised and performed with great gusto. Neat little Spanish
guitar intro on "..Thin Man, " also used elsewhere with nice results.
Dylan's vocal is tough and confrontational and the horns add even more
bite to the song. Great stuff. The first "Blowin..." starts off with
female voices and you think it's "Just Like A Woman" until Dylan
starts singin' the reggae version and abruptly ends it after about a
minute.......immediately a lovely instrumental begins and Dylan says,
"Can you hum, just hum this one through like a church choir," and they
launch into a lovely, touching version that takes your breath away.
You wonder if he came up with this on the fly or it was prepped this
way before. What instinct this man has. (Note 1: I imagine this
arrangement would have been perfect for Elvis in the late 60's, early
70's. Note 2: cue up take 2 of "Blowin" at 00:16 until he starts
singing and witness the remarkable resemblance to "Every Grain Of
Sand." You half expect him to sing, "In the time of my confession...."
:-). Note 3: these cuts are not included on "Darkness At The Break
Of Noon). All previously uncirculating.
6) Shot Of Love (Rundown Studios, 4/6/81)
7) Watered Down Love (Clover Studios, H'Wood, CA May 1981)
Perfect quality alternate versions, each with an additional verse. The
CD insert information is at variance with the details of the "Shot Of
Love" sessions given in the fourth Krogsgaard Recording Sessions
article, but does agree with the Heylin book.
8) Tangled Up In Blue (Rome Paleur, 6/19/84)
Many would consider the '84 Tangled's to be the best of the tangled
web of Tangled's performed over the years. I am among them and I must
say that this incredible soundboard sourced version may be the best of
all. Previously available on the rare "Oh The Streets Of Rome," this
version is chock full of the phrasing genius of Dylan emphasizing
line-ending words at certain points in the verses and utilizing 'that
voice' to great effect. When he finally sings that last "blue" as
"blue-oo-oo-oo," ya just gotta shake your head in wonder.
9) A Couple More Years ( Townhouse Studios, London UK, Aug 27-28/86)
Cool little acoustic number from "Hearts Of Fire" in super quality.
Previously found on "Dignity" and "Hard To Find 3." The HTF3 version
has Bob as Billy Parker saying "I wrote it for ya and never finished
it.", which is not included here.
10) The French Girl (Dead Rehearsals, San Rafael, CA Mar/Apr 87)
Superb quality (without the hiss), wonderful performance. Blows away
the inferior sounding version on "The French Girl" & "Dylan & Dead
Rehearsals" 3CD sets.
11) Series Of Dreams (Studio On The Move, N.O., LA March '89)
Yet another alternate take, this one sounding the most straightforward
and seemingly not fucked with (excuse my French)...could possibly be
the alternate mix from the promotional CD.
12) Ring Them Bells (Nara, Japan Great Music Experience 5/20/94)
Proof positive that Dylan's tunes are so elastic that one day we'll
probably be hearing operatic versions, and good ones at that. Just a
terrific arrangement and performance in pristine quality........listen
in awe as Dylan perfectly negotiates the lyrics amongst the orchestral
twists and turns. If you didn't know better you'd think it was written
for this. Well worth seeking out are the equally grand "Hard Rain" and
"I Shall Be Released," from the same series of performances. This
version appears to be a line recording from the 20 May 94 performance,
with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Michael Kamen. If
the date is correct this is a new to collectors, the "Hard To Find 4"
version is from 22 May 94 (the same songs were performed on each of
the 3 nights)., as is the version on "If My Thought Dreams Could Be
Seen." Reportedly only the 22nd circulates as a line recording, and
the circulating audience tapes from the 20th and 21st are not that
good, supposedly.
13) Handy Dandy (Oceanway Studios, Louisiana Jan 6, 1990) alternate
Let me just say that if you're not busting an ear splittin' grin after
this one then you are probably a zombie. A rip roaring, ball bustin
alternate (longer) version with an incredibly excited Dylan ripping
into the vocals with glee, Jimmi Vaughn's guitar slicing through the
funky energy and the whole affair one big barrel of joy. Listen to the
uncharacteristic "YEEEAH" at around 4:04 and by the time Dylan ends it
with the triple treat "..just like, just like, just like sugar and
candy..." you can imagine everyone in the studio laughin' and
exchanging high fives. Whew........previously uncirculating alternate
version.
14) TV Talkin Song (The Complex, L.A., CA March 1990) alternate version
Heylin hit the nail on the head in his sessions book and this must be
the take was referring to. A menace of a version, scary in
fact......check out some of the alternate lyrics** and imagine a
lower, more guttural Dylan vocal delivering the lines about the "TV
GOD"........
I moved in closer an' got up on my toes,
Two men in front of me were comin' to blows
The man was saying something 'bout children when they're young
Whoever puts their face in it he said they should be hung*****
"The news of the day is [an eye sore] all the time,
All the latest gossip, all the latest rhyme,
Puts your brain inside your eye and penetrates your skull, **
Lays an egg inside your head and makes you dull." **
T.V. judges and T.V. clerks, T.V. repairman to fix it so it works**
T.V. daddies and T.V. moms, and on the T.V. cities under bombs, ****
The crowd began to riot, they grabbed hold of the man,
Hung him from a lamppost and they ran. ***
The T.V. crew was there to film it, jumped right over me,
I walked back to my hotel and watched it on T.V.
Relased version would be PG-13. This one: No one under 18 admitted.
Previously uncirculating.
15) Anyway You Want Me (Sony Studios, NYC, 9/10/94) unreleased
Recorded for an aborted Elvis tribute album project, along with
"Money, Honey" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", this was previously
uncirculating. Way cool version and we can only hope the rest of these
sessions surface.
16) My Blue-Eyed Jane (Ardent Studios, Memphis, TN, 5/9-11/94)
An alternate take with Emmylou Harris from same session as the
"Highway 61 Interactive" CD-ROM version. This has previously appeared
on the "House Of The Blues" and "Hard To Find 5."
17) Blind Willie McTell (WolfTrap, Vienna, VA 8/24/97)
From the hearing impaired line transmission recording and previously
available on the "Weekend At Wolftrap" and "Back At Wolftrap" sets.
Excellent quality.
18 Hard Times (Austin TX, KRLU Studios, 28 Apr 1993)
Killer version previously available on "Lucky 13", "Hard To Find 4,"
"Highway Of Diamonds Vol. 2," others. Great stuff.
19) Restless Farewell (Shrine Auditorium, LA 11/19/95)
Recorded at the Frank Sinatra 80th Birthday Tribute and previously
available on many releases. A fitting capper to a startling collection
of unreleased tunes and perhaps the most enjoyable and surprising of
the 3 released so far.
Once again, the packaging is more than deluxe.....four panel gatefold
glossy slipcase with picture sleeves for each disk, rare glossy Bob
pics on each panel and a 40 page booklet replete with two dozen more
rare, vintage photos.......plus, what may be the most candid interview
Bob has ever given, this the Song Talk interview with Paul Zollo from
the early 90's. Zollo quotes Arlo Guthrie in this interview, who says
what a million other songwriters must have have been thinking since
Dylan broke on the scene: "Songwriting is like fishing in a stream,
you put in your bait and hope you catch something. And I don't think
anyone downstream from Bob Dylan ever caught anything."
Bottom line: GBS3 is a desert island collection. The tracks flow
together so perfectly and capture each of the many phases of Dylan's
ever changing art perhaps as well as anything ever has.........it's a
good thing we're out of the vinyl age, or else the grooves would be
getting worn out on this one.
(Thanks to the bloke who helped out with a lot of the facts
above....he knows who he is.....cheers)
Final Note: Corrections of factual errors or inaccuracies contained in
the above overview would certainly be welcomed by Karl Erik (I hope).
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
T-list
CDs
