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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Man On The Street (Fragment) | |||
| 2. Hard Times In New York Town | |||
| 3. Poor Boy Blues | |||
| 4. Ballad For A Friend | |||
| 5. Rambling, Gambling Willie | |||
| 6. Talking Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues | |||
| 7. Standing On The Highway | |||
| 8. Man On The Street | |||
| 9. Blowin' In The Wind | |||
| 10. Long Ago, Far Away | |||
See all 25 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right | |||
| 2. Walkin' Down The Line | |||
| 3. I Shall Be Free | |||
| 4. Bob Dylan's Blues | |||
| 5. Bob Dylan's Dream | |||
| 6. Boots Of Spanish Leather | |||
| 7. Walls of Red Wing | |||
| 8. Girl From The North Country | |||
| 9. Seven Curses | |||
| 10. Hero Blues | |||
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See all 23 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
CD Description
The Witmark Demos see their first commercial release nearly five decades after they were first recorded. The Witmark Demos features 47 Bob Dylan songs recorded by the artist – accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, harmonica and occasionally piano – for his first music publisher, Leeds Music, in January 1962, and for his second publisher, M. Witmark & Sons, between 1962 and 1964. Listening to these recordings, one can trace Dylan’s dramatic growth as a songwriter from early traditionally-styled songs like “Man On The Street” and “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie” through the social commentary of “Blowin’ In The Wind, “The Times They Are A Changin’” and “Masters Of War”, and the groundbreaking lyrical genius of “Mr. Tambourine Man.” All of these songs, and all the others on The Witmark Demos, were written – and their subsequent demos recorded – before Bob Dylan turned 24 years old. Among the many gems found on The Witmark Demos are 15 Bob Dylan songs that were recorded by the artist only for these sessions, and which had never been officially released to the public. These include the plaintive “Ballad For A Friend,” the civil rights era-inspired “Long Ago, Far Away” and “The Death Of Emmett Till,” and the poignant “Guess I’m Doing Fine
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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.
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.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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!
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!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This Dylan is not for the faint-hearted nor for the philanderer nor for the person who has only just realised that s/he had better find out what Bobby boy is all about before it's too late. Those guys will completely disagree with my five star rating and say it's only worth about three, tops.
All you get is Bob and his guitar, harmonica and piano. That's it. No embellishments, no overdubs, no clever production. The (few) stutterings are kept in, the (occasional) numbers that just peter out because Bob forgets his words are kept in, and even when he suggests to the listener that all the words are not needed and he'll write them out later, that's kept in too, apparently as everything was originally. There are 44 songs over 45 tracks, "Man on the Street" being included both in full and as a fragment. And all the ones you've heard before, all those that are well known, have better recordings available elsewhere, in some cases in several versions.
But to think (as you listen) that here was the guy who was just beginning to be called the poet of a generation, merely rattling off one masterpiece after another in some tiny studio devoid of either audience or conducive atmosphere, at the age of 21: it's simply astounding. Already you have here "Hard Times in NY Town", "Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic", "Blowin' in the Wind", "Hard Rain", "Tomorrow is a Long Time", "Emmett Till", "Let me Die in my Footsteps", "Hollis Brown", "John Birch", "Masters of War", "Oxford Town", "Don't Think Twice", "I Shall be Free", "BD's Dream", "Boots of Spanish Leather", "Girl from the North Country", "When the Ship Comes In", "The Times They are a-Changin'", "Tambourine Man", "I'll Keep it with Mine". You have demo-standard versions of songs from the man's first five albums; you have brilliant songs like "Bear Mountain" and "John Birch" that Bobby played live for a few years but didn't release on record for decades; you have songs ("I'll Keep it with Mine", "Walkin' down the Line") that were first released by other artistes (which is partly why the collection exists). This one album shows why Robert Zimmerman became His Bobness: respect, respect, respect!
And if Robert Zimmerman had fallen fatally under a Manhattan bus straight after making these recordings, this would have been his equivalent to Robert Johnson's Complete Recordings. And at least as important. Utter genius.
All you get is Bob and his guitar, harmonica and piano. That's it. No embellishments, no overdubs, no clever production. The (few) stutterings are kept in, the (occasional) numbers that just peter out because Bob forgets his words are kept in, and even when he suggests to the listener that all the words are not needed and he'll write them out later, that's kept in too, apparently as everything was originally. There are 44 songs over 45 tracks, "Man on the Street" being included both in full and as a fragment. And all the ones you've heard before, all those that are well known, have better recordings available elsewhere, in some cases in several versions.
But to think (as you listen) that here was the guy who was just beginning to be called the poet of a generation, merely rattling off one masterpiece after another in some tiny studio devoid of either audience or conducive atmosphere, at the age of 21: it's simply astounding. Already you have here "Hard Times in NY Town", "Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic", "Blowin' in the Wind", "Hard Rain", "Tomorrow is a Long Time", "Emmett Till", "Let me Die in my Footsteps", "Hollis Brown", "John Birch", "Masters of War", "Oxford Town", "Don't Think Twice", "I Shall be Free", "BD's Dream", "Boots of Spanish Leather", "Girl from the North Country", "When the Ship Comes In", "The Times They are a-Changin'", "Tambourine Man", "I'll Keep it with Mine". You have demo-standard versions of songs from the man's first five albums; you have brilliant songs like "Bear Mountain" and "John Birch" that Bobby played live for a few years but didn't release on record for decades; you have songs ("I'll Keep it with Mine", "Walkin' down the Line") that were first released by other artistes (which is partly why the collection exists). This one album shows why Robert Zimmerman became His Bobness: respect, respect, respect!
And if Robert Zimmerman had fallen fatally under a Manhattan bus straight after making these recordings, this would have been his equivalent to Robert Johnson's Complete Recordings. And at least as important. Utter genius.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Whitmark Demos
Excellent service. Item arrived promptly and in very good packaging. Lovely CD, very listenable and takes you back to those days in a trice.
Published 4 months ago by J. Burn
Excellent.
In my opinion anything that Bob Dylan produces is excellent. I have been a fan of his music and talent since the 1960s. This was no exception, I love it!
Published 8 months ago by Mr. P. G. Bronks
Bob Dylan Writmark demos
,,Wonderful glimpse through a great window in time, like millions i wanted more of Dylan than the paltry one CBS album so sought out every bootleg possible and found a lot of these... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mel Walters
The Witmark Demos
great cds however, the booklet arrived damaged which is very disappointing as it was indended as a christmas present... Read more
Published 16 months ago by john
Bootleg Vol 9
Maybe not the best of the bootleg series but it is interesting and a good listen. Bob is bob and the song develop.
Published 18 months ago by David C
Wow
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. Read more
Published 18 months ago by baron
Dylan
One of the best CD,s for the fans of early Dylan. Not only does it have different versions of the old faithfuls but it also has some rarely available stuff. Highly recomended.
Published 18 months ago by tricky
for fans only
This one is for Dylan obsessives only. I have heard almost all the songs before. Some of them are not very good - I bet that few of these songs were recorded by other artists after... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Rowland
Withering,weary and wise
As Colin Escott says in his excellent historic summary,the demos give us an even better idea of Bob Dylan's maturation as a songwriter than the albums. Read more
Published 18 months ago by technoguy
over-hyped
I'm a big Dylan fan but these really are simply early demos of songs which were then either dropped because they weren't so interesting, or were later performed much better in the... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Graham Timmins
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