Like so many of the archival albums issued as part of Bob Dylan's ongoing Bootleg Series, The Witmark Demos 1962 - 1964 isn't something that's going to appeal to everybody.
Indeed, for those casual, or even semi-devoted Dylan fans with that dog-eared copy of Blood On The Tracks or Highway 61 gathering dust in the closet, this may warrant just a single listen (if even that) at best.
On the other hand, for those looking to delve ever deeper into the early development and legend of the man who in just a few short years went from being simply another in a long line of Woody Guthrie wannabes, to the iconic "voice of a generation" back in those formative early sixties years, this is truly essential stuff.
Once again, be forewarned though.
This is a collection that truly separates the men from the boys when it comes to being any sort of serious, would-be Dylanologist.
Even if your own Bob collection draws from such disparate eras as Dylan's early folkie days, his shocking jump from folk to rock in the mid-sixties, the late seventies "born again" years, or even his more recent, latter-day artistic rejuvenation with albums like Love & Theft and Modern Times — this still may not be for you.
Although the pristine quality of these restored recordings is pretty remarkable when both their age and somewhat dusty vintage are taken into account, listening to them in a single sitting often requires nothing less than the patience of Job. But after all, one Dylan fans joy is another ones pain, right?
Repeated listens are likewise going to be unlikely — at least, unless you count yourself among the sort of fanatics who pour over each line of Dylan's songs as though you were deciphering Shakespeare. The good news here is that for those who fall into that latter category, this is definitely your kind of album. So, by all means, jump in with both feet. You'll be diving overboard before you know it.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
you make it sound very interesting but still think I am gonna take a pass
2 - Glen Boyd
Its definitely not for the faint hearted, but for the Dylan nut, its a gold mine.
3 - thrasher
Thanks Glen. Nice review. Masters of War is still chilling 40+ years on....
4 - Greg Barbrick
Nice review Glen, although I am probably not a big enough Dylan fan to get it. He did some amazing stuff during those early "folkie" days though.
5 - Daleg
What can I say about a review that I consider to be so ... "wrong?? Suggesting that this album is for Dyan fans who treat his lyrics as though they were written by Shakespeare is so strange and odd that it simple boggles the mind. These are 47 of the simplest and sweetest and most passionate songs that Bob Dylan has ever written and performed. To suggest to readers otherwise is extraordinary. I hope that readers of the review will see it as simply bogus and will either buy the album or find someone who has bought it and listen to it. It contains beautiful heart-felt songs from a man who has been giving us the gift of his music for almost 50 years. And to say that this album is only for hard-core Dylan fans is a disservice to those who decide, on the basis of the review, not to listen to the album. As far as I can tell Glen Boyd never sat down and just listened to the music. I encourage you to sit down and listen and enjoy. Thank you.
6 - Frank55
"the sort of fanatics who pour over each line of Dylan's songs"
or even PORE over them.
7 - Glen Boyd
Writing about Dylan, you always run the risk of some fans not agreeing with you, and I fully expected that here. Like his music itself, Dylan fans come in a variety of shades. Some prefer folkie Dylan, some prefer electric Dylan, etc. This is actually what made "Im Not There" such a cool film...but I digress...
Anyway, all I was trying to do here was point out that since Witmark focuses on "folkie Dylan" and the recordings are mainly rough demos (although of surprisingly very high quality), not everyone is going to "get it." In that respect, Witmark is definitely more one for the hardcores.
That said, I like the album a lot...but I think I already said that.
-Glen
8 - El Bicho
what on earth is that seizure-inducing video?
9 - Glen Boyd
Just something I found. Pretty crazy huh?
-Glen