Bob Dylan is notorious for leaving the best stuff off his albums. Which is why the Bootleg Series is such a treat. Otherwise great songs like "Let Me Die In My Footsteps" and "Blind Willie McTell" may never have gotten an official release. The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964, the ninth entry in the Bootleg Series, reveals another side of Bob Dylan's career. It contains early versions of some of his most revered songs. Most of the material on this set is from Dylan's early days writing what he referred to as "finger pointing songs."
Towards the end of the two disc set, Dylan lyrical focus shifts towards more personal concerns with songs such as "Mama You've Been On My Mind," "I'll Keep It With Mine" and a stunning piano version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," one of Dylan's most personal songs ever. Most of the songs are well known by casual Dylan listeners but there are alternate takes of rare Dylan songs to whet the appetite of even the most rabid Dylanophile. There are several previously unreleased songs, such as "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" a song covered by Rod Stewart and Elvis Presley among many others.
The sheer quality of the material is stunning, especially when you consider that Dylan was writing this material from age 21-23. The depth of intelligence displayed in the lyrics and the mesmerizing quality of the performances is hard to believe; especially considering that these were rough takes, intended for use as publishing demos. I don't know how an artist would be comfortable doing their own take on these songs. I know I'm prattling on like a baby boomer about how great Dylan is, but in this case it's true.
Those who pre-ordered The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964 or The Original Mono Recordings from Amazon received a bonus disc of a Dylan concert at Brandeis University from May 10, 1963. The concert is an enjoyable listen and it's a nice snapshot of Dylan at the top of his power as folk singer, before the drugs got out of control, before the heckling and the boos, before he went electric and began writing songs with surrealistic imagery fueled by his amphetamine habit.
Grades:
The Witmark Demos: 1962 - 1964 - A
Bob Dylan In Concert - Brandeis University 1963 - B
-Andrew Crowley
