The Bootleg Series: Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964

The latest in the Bob Dylan Bootleg series, Volume 9, is somewhat a revelation about the young Dylan developing his talent and these 47 demo tracks recorded for `Leeds' and `Witmark' show not only how prolific he was but also how his talent evolved into being one of the most important artists of the 20th Century. These demos were recorded as much for other artists to hear these songs (e.g. Peter Paul and Mary, Judy Collins, etc.), as they were to demonstrate the raw talent of an upcoming unknown artist. I am sure that many people would have heard these songs previously on the various bootleg recordings, but these sound completely different after they have been cleaned up and digitised, and are really a revelation.

On the first disc we can hear some of the early attempts at songs that would be well known throughout his career, such as `Blowin' In The Wind' and `A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' , but you can also hear him steal from other artists, creating new lyrics for songs of the folk and blues musicians who had a big influence on him. As we move on to disc 2, there is a marked change in Dylan's song writing and playing, and though just a year or so later it's clear that he is developing into the person who would be known and loved across the globe, and influence artists for several generations. Some of the better known demo songs from this period were `Don't Think Twice, It's All Right', `Girl From The North Country' , `When The Ship Comes In', `The Times They Are A-Changin' , `Baby Let Me Follow You Down', `Mama, You Been On My Mind', and `Mr Tambourine Man'. Many of these songs would take a few years before Dylan released them on his albums, and they were very different in these early formats, with lyrics still under development and surprisingly being played on different instruments e.g. `Mr Tambourine Man' on piano.

These recordings in demo form are extraordinary, and clearly helped him with becoming more professional with his recordings, and allowed him to play with the lyrics so they turned into the ones that music lovers and academics wax lyrical about. This truly is a historic document and adds a lot to the understanding of an unknown young man in the early 60's with prodigious talent that would eventually influence musicians for decades ahead. It really is a great addition to the Bootleg Series, and `The Witmark Demos' is probably the best album release of 2010.

N.B. If you are able to track down the Limited 3 CD version, with the bonus disc, then you get the recording of `In Concert at Brandeis University 1963', which is an excellent early acoustic performance (`Honey Just Allow Me One More Chance', `Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues', `Ballad Of Hollis Brown', `Masters Of War', `Talkin' World War Three Blues', `Bob Dylan's Dream' and ` Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues'), with very good sound quality.

I already have the Bootleg 1-3 series, and there are many of the same songs on the Witmark Demos...but also a fair few i'd never heard, so this was definitely worth getting.

What can you say about Dylan in these early years? Absolutely incredible that a 20-year-old could write 'contemporary songs' as he liked to call them (as opposed to 'protest' or 'folk' songs) such as Hollis Brown, Death of Emmett Till, Masters of War, etc, and perform like a world-weary blues man.

Also great are the humourous songs that provide some light relief after the gravitas of the above. Talkin bear mountain picnic blues and Talkin John Birch paranoid blues are both comic gems! Even the outtakes are great, giving a glimpse of the young, enthusiastic, eager-to-please Dylan, with a a million songs on his mind ('I've written down all the verses for ya!', 'Do you want this?' - halfway through Let me die in my footsteps - 'It's just that it's kinda long...well it's not that long, it's just kind of a drag, ya know? I've sung it so many times!').

If you're a Dylan fan, buy it, you won't be disappointed. If you're not, buy it, this is a great doorway into Dylan's music!

Like many other Dylan fans this album is a collection of songs some of which I have had on bootleg recordings for many years. I must admuit despite the obvious quality of the songs presented on this album I approached it with some caution. Although it would provide me with an opportunity to renew my acquaintance with some of the greatest songs ever written concerns remained about the potential quality of the recordings.

However, I was pleased to find that my anxieties were allayed. This official release presents its forty-seven historic tracks with both a generally good consistency of audio quality and some vigour in both Dylan's singing and guitar playing. For the first time I was able to hear many of these tracks without having to listen to a series of interuptions, mangled voices and guitar playing and distortions, which I have grown used to over the past thirty-odd years.

As well as displaying many old favourites in a paricularly appealing light Bootleg Series Vol. 9 also provides some new gems. I am particularly attracted to 'Ballad for a Friend' and 'Guess I'm Doing Fine'. Evidence of both Dylan's genius as a songwriter, with his ever developing ability to capture and present complex ideas and feeelings is evident throughout. His use of humour to put over some of his points is also crystal clear for all to hear. [Some of the lines in both 'John Birch Blues' and 'Bear Mountain Massacre', although long time facourites of mine made me laugh out loud once again.]

Personally, this colection is steeped with nostalgia and, arguably, is no bad thing. Listening to the more familiar tracks in their infant state proving to be both informative and enjoyable. Most significantly, although I only received the album today I have already returned to some tracks for a repeat playing. Good enough to play again immediately -this is perhaps the most impressive acclade I can pay a new album!

For the afficianado it is imperative to get hold of a copy of the Brandeis University concert CD. Although there are no new songs on this bonus album the familiar [and perhaps to some the not so familiar] songs are well presented and lively, with an excellent audio quality, particularly bearing in mind the date of the recording.

This album probably will not collect many new Dylan fans but it will certainly satisfy many of Bob's establishment; particullarly those who are long enough in the tooth to remember these songs the first time around! Bootleg Vol 9 is an album made with love and care and should be treated as such. It is definitely worth a spin, as they used to say!