Volume 8 in Bob Dylan’s Bootleg Series, Tell Tale Signs offers an amazing collection of songs from the latter third of his legendary career, covering the years 1989 through 2006. The two-CD version presents 27 songs in the forms of alternate versions, demos, concert performances, and previously unreleased material. The majority comes from recording sessions for Oh Mercy (1989), Time Out Of Mind (1997) and Modern Times (2006). Although there is no material from the sessions that produced Under the Red Sky (1990), Good as I Been to You (1992), and “Love and Theft” (2001), some elements from the songs here made their way into songs on Under the Red Sky and “Love and Theft.” Also collected are rarities from the soundtracks of Lucky You and Gods and Generals as well as a duet with Ralph Stanley, a legend in his own right.
What is so fantastic about Tell Tale Signs is that it works no matter what the listener’s knowledge of Dylan is. The songs are so strong and well crafted the album makes a great introduction. You don’t need to know the released versions to enjoy this; you just need to sit back and listen. Of course, it will be more appealing to hardcore fanatics who will pore intently over these songs, comparing and contrasting versions. Filling with pride for correctly recognizing one part only to be frustrated at the inability to explain why another sounds so familiar. They will hold off for as long as they can stand before cheating with the informative detail of Larry “Ratso” Sloman’s liner notes. Plus, it’s not only the fanatics that have the opportunity to examine Dylan at work. There are two different versions of “Mississippi” and “Dignity,” each feature Dylan accompanied by one instrument (Daniel Lanois playing guitar on the former; Dylan on piano on the latter) on Disc One and later with a full band on Disc Two.
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
A bootleg release of this evening deserves to be Volume 9.
I really do hope they release something from the Never Ending Tour. They've played some great shows and its time we had something official from it.
2 - El Bicho
Agreed, Mat
3 - kevin cramsey
I must disagree with Matt. I really don't want to hear more "live" versions, at least not from this century. I would rather hear studio outtakes because these days the studio is where Bo reigns supreme -- where he can tailor songs to what is left of his vocal abilities. To be painfully, his live singing is really hard to take these days. And while it may be tolerable during the experience of seeing him live, to merely listen to him live without the experience of being at the show is another matter. More importantly, though, the studio is really the place of creativity for major artists, and Bob is no exception.
4 - Mat Brewster
Who says he can't do both? I've have a number of bootlegs from the last decade and a lot of them sound really good. I'm sure there are lots of other killer performances that I've missed. I'd like to see that released officially.
Were you against the previous bootleg series releases of concerts from his early years?
5 - El Bicho
I am with Mat. If they are already in the vaults, why not release them both? Plus, that band sounded great on that track.
6 - Dude Skoodle
The Bootleg series is a good format for Bob because he can release different versions and interpolated lyrics etc and all of it does not have to be perfect. I spent the big money and got the 3 discs. The books alone are worth it. The singles covers book is great. This will be a collector's item and the books are hardback. It is NOT a ripoff.
The piano version of Dignity is great.
I liked Red River Shore immensely.
Across the Green Valley obviously inspired by Walt Whitman was wonderful too. This guy's lyrics aren't bad what?