The eighth and latest edition in Bob Dylan’s continuing Bootleg Series hits stores today, October 7.  Tell Tale Signs - The Bootleg Series Vol. 8 (Columbia), is a two-disc, twenty-seven song collection of rarities, live recordings, previously unreleased tracks, demos, and alternative versions of songs recorded between 1989 and 2006.  During that time period Dylan released seven studio albums, published the first volume of his autobiography (Chronicles:  Volume One), won nine Grammy Awards (including one for Lifetime Achievement) and an Academy Award (for “Things Have Changed” from the film Wonder Boys), and even began hosting his own weekly radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour, on XM Satellite Radio.

For the true Dylan aficionado, there will also be a limited edition, three-disc version of the album in stores today as well.  In addition to the third bonus disc of “rare and unreleased songs”, the limited edition which also include a 150-page hardcover book of singles artwork that spans Dylan’s entire recording career.  And while there are no live or previously unreleased versions of “Not Dark Yet” on Tell Tale Signs, it’s a personal favorite from 1997’s Time Out of Mind.

Popularity: 14% [?]

August 13:  Song of the Day.  Bob Dylan–Dreamin’ of You

On October 7, Columbia Records will be releasing Bob Dylan’s Tell Tale Signs:  The Bootleg Series No. 8 which will contain 2 CD’s worth of previously unreleased studio recordings, demos, live tracks, and rarities that were recorded between 1989 - 2006.  During this time period Dylan released four studio albums Oh Mercy, Time Out of Mind, Love and Theft, and Modern Times.  All four are fantastic but it is 1997’s Time Out of Mind that is the true gem of the bunch and I’d easily put it in the category of one of Dylan’s Top 5 albums from his entire career.  The album went on to win three Grammys including Album of the Year and it was Dylan’s first platinum selling album since the late 1970’s.

One of the previously unreleased studio tracks from the forthcoming Bootleg Series 8 collection, “Dreamin’ of You”, is actually taken from the recording sessions for the Time Out of Mind record.  If you don’t mind filling out the registration form on Dylan’s website (it only takes a minute), you can download the song for free as .ZIP file which includes the MP3.  The download page on Dylan’s website can be found here.  [Listen to “Dreaming of You” on the still frame video after the break] »Read More

Popularity: 43% [?]

July 28:  Song of the Day.  Willie Nelson & Bob Dylan–Pancho & Lefty

Well the ‘Red Headed Stranger’ hits C’ville on Tuesday, July 29 as Willie Nelson performs at the Charlottesville Pavilion.  I ain’t gonna lie to you, this should be a really good one to see.  If you don’t already have tickets you may be out of luck as Willie, who turned 75 earlier this year, has provided the first sold out concert of the season at the Pavilion.  Gates open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm.

I’ve seen Willie perform live twice, the first time coming back in July of 1998 with openers Steve Earle & the Dukes at Wolftrap.  The second show was just a couple years ago when Willie teamed up with Bob Dylan for their American tour of minor league baseball stadiums.  I happened to catch their tour stop in Richmond at the home of the Richmond Braves.  My biggest disappointment from that evening was that the pair did not perform onstage together.  I guess I’ll just have to live vicariously by watching this one over and over again. [video after the break] »Read More

Popularity: 27% [?]

Apologies all around for finally get around to this, but I’m just landing back in town from a weekend in the mountains.  Here’s hoping each and everyone has enjoyed the weekend to this point.

Our Song of the Day celebrates a little piece of vinyl played at 45rpm (in honor of yesterday’s National Record Store Day) and features a simple math equation.  12 x 35 = 420.  Here’s Bob Dylan with “Rainy Day Women #12 and #35“.

Popularity: 16% [?]

In case you haven’t heard, Bob Dylan can now add Pulitzer Prize recipient to his long list of accomplishments.  Last week it was announced that Dylan, one of the most influential song writers of the past half decade, was awarded an honorary Pullitzer Prize for his

…profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.

The award marks the first time in Pulitzer Prize history that a rock musician has earned such a recognition from the Pulitzer judges.  To date, Dylan, who turns 67 this May, has released over thirty studio albums in addition to twenty-five official live albums and compilations.  His songs have been re-recorded by hundreds, if not thousands of artists.

»Read More

Popularity: 17% [?]