The Bootleg Series offers plenty of uneven performances, but by and large the tracks on the just released Travelin’ Thru sparkle with alternate versions of familiar songs. For Johnny Cash fans, the songs on DISC 2 and DISC 3 will bring plenty of delight. Sure, some of the songs are rough takes as Dylan and Cash try to get into sync with the lyrics. At one point–after fumbling around–Cash asks someone to write down the lyric to the song they’re struggling with.
Dylan and Earl Scruggs develop chemistry as their music tickles your ears on DISC 3. The tracks were recorded on May 17, 1970 with Grammy Award-winning bluegrass banjo legend Earl Scruggs for the PBS television special, “Earl Scruggs: His Family and Friends” (originally aired January 1971). In addition, the package includes a 54 page booklet with photos and reproductions of handwritten lyrics. There’s also an Introduction from Ben Rollins plus two pages of thoughts on the music from Rosanne Cash. Music writer Colin Escott supplies an essay which includes information on the sessions with a complete track list with personnel. If you’re a hardcore Dylan fan, this is a must-buy. If you’re a casual Dylan fan, you can safely skip this one. GRADE: B
TRACK LIST:
Disc: 1
1. Drifter’s Escape – Bob Dylan
2. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine – Bob Dylan
3. All Along the Watchtower – Bob Dylan
4. John Wesley Harding – Bob Dylan
5. As I Went Out One Morning – Bob Dylan
6. I Pity the Poor Immigrant – Bob Dylan
7. I Am a Lonesome Hobo – Bob Dylan
8. I Threw It All Away – Bob Dylan
9. To Be Alone with You – Bob Dylan
10. Lay, Lady, Lay – Bob Dylan
11. One More Night – Bob Dylan
12. Western Road – Bob Dylan
13. Peggy Day – Bob Dylan
14. Tell Me That It Isn’t True – Bob Dylan
15. Country Pie – Bob Dylan
Disc: 2
1. I Still Miss Someone – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
2. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right / Understand Your Man – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
3. One Too Many Mornings – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
4. Mountain Dew – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
5. Mountain Dew – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
6. I Still Miss Someone – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
7. Careless Love – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
8. Matchbox – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
9. That’s All Right, Mama – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
10. Mystery Train / This Train Is Bound for Glory – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
11. Big River – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
12. Girl from the North Country – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
13. Girl from the North Country – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
14. I Walk the Line – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
15. Guess Things Happen That Way – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
16. Guess Things Happen That Way – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
17. Five Feet High and Rising – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
18. You Are My Sunshine – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
19. Ring of Fire – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
Disc: 3
1. Studio Chatter – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
2. Wanted Man – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
3. Amen – Bob Dylan
4. Just a Closer Walk with Thee – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
5. Jimmie Rodgers Medley No. 1 – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
6. Jimmie Rodgers Medley No. 2 – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
7. I Threw It All Away (Live on The Johnny Cash Show) – Bob Dylan
8. Living the Blues (Live on The Johnny Cash Show) – Bob Dylan
9. Girl from the North Country (Live on The Johnny Cash Show) – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
10. Ring of Fire – Bob Dylan
11. Folsom Prison Blues – Bob Dylan
12. Earl Scruggs Interview – Bob Dylan with Earl Scruggs
13. East Virginia Blues – Bob Dylan with Earl Scruggs
14. To Be Alone with You – Bob Dylan with Earl Scruggs
15. Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance – Bob Dylan with Earl Scruggs
16. Nashville Skyline Rag – Earl Scruggs & Bob Dylan
I am a big Dylan Fan and a Cash fan, but I have a ton on Dylan stuff including most of the bootleg series and would probably only give this a couple of listens before filing it away.
Steve, that’s probably what I will do with TRAVELIN’ THRU. But, the BOOKLEG SERIES must be making money because they keep pumping them out.
I’m also a big fan of those two performers with Dylan no 1 of course – for us students in the 60s that was the “alternate music”, most “regular” people I knew wouldn’t listen to it but for us this was great revolutionaries.
All along the watchtower was my big favourite.
Wolf, the version of “All Along the Watchtower” on DISC 1 sounds very close to the version we’re all familiar with. Just a few lyric differences.
As much as I love Bob, I think the phrase, “For completists only” would nicely cover this.
Deb, yes. Completists will buy TRAVELIN’ THRU. The sound is excellent except for the TV quality sound on some of Johnny Cash and Earl Scruggs songs taken from television programs.
Which makes George a completest.
Rick, I blame it on my Collecting Gene.
Phil was a big Dylan fan and we have probably 8-10 CDs of his. Somehow I don’t listen to music anymore. Just podcasts. I am missing a lot, I know.
Patti, I try to listen to a music CD every day. Of course, I have hundreds waiting to be listened to for the First Time.
I listen to music while I read. I can’t stand total silence. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Wilco, The Replacements and Nick Cave.
Steve, it depends on the book I’m reading. If it’s non-fiction and requires a lot of concentration, then no music. If it’s a light novel, I’ll put on some instrumental music while I’m reading.
I don’t like bootleg (not bookleg as you call it) music at all. If it wasn’t good enough for the artist at the time, I don’t need to hear it.
Rick, clearly books are constantly on my mind. I’m always curious about the choices an artist makes in developing their songs. We’re up to Volume 15 in THE BOOTLEG SERIES so someone out there is buying these CD sets besides me.
At this point, I listen to Johnny Cash as much as Dylan. As much as I would enjoy hearing some of their duets (That’s All Right, Mama and Ring of Fire, to name two), this is a definite pass for me. I have all the Dylan stuff I need or want.
Jeff, I’m sure the Cash/Dylan duets can be found on YouTube.
Rumor has it you’re about to get some snow. Happy early Winter. Meanwhile we’re in the 60s here, and dry.
Rick, the rumors are true. I woke up to a dusting of snow on my driveway. Next week, there’s a forecast for 5 inches of the White Stuff. Big Orange is ready!
Oh, and a box came. Thanks very mucho, amigo.
Rick, hope you find stuff to enjoy in the BOUCHERCON BOX! I tried to include a little bit of everything. I’m sure you can find a Good Home for any duplicates or anything you don’t want.