Bob Dylan’s ‘Bootleg Series 18’ Boxed Set to Explore Early ’60s Ascent

If you liked Timothée Chalamet as the nascent, scrappy, early-career Bob Dylan, you may love the real thing. The newest release in Dylan’s series of retrospective collections of unreleased material will go all the way back to his musical beginnings. “Bootleg Series Volume 18: Through the Open Window, 1956-1963” shall be released Oct. 31.

Capturing the pre-electric period when he was considered a folk artist, the full boxed set spans eight CDs. Of 139 total tracks, 48 are previously unreleased, while another 38 are described as “super-rare.” This deluxe version also includes a hardback book with liner notes by Sean Wilentz and over 100 photos. (Scroll down to see the complete track list.)

As is typical with the “Bootleg Series,” there are also condensed versions for the budget-minded Dylan buff, with 42 tracks on the 2-CD and 4-LP “highlights” editions.

One previously unheard song in the set, “Rocks and Gravel,” an outtake from the “Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” sessions of 1962, was released Wednesday morning as a teaser track. Listen to the solo acoustic gem below.

Among the full set’s fresh offerings is a complete recording of Dylan’s Oct. 26, 1963 show at Carnegie Hall, presented for the first time.

Wilentz, a Princeton historian who wrote a 125-page essay for the boxed set, said in a statement, “Of that time and those places, this collection is just a fragment,. Even so, as an aural record of an artist becoming himself — or in Dylan’s case, his first of many artistic selves — the collection aims to collapse time and space, not as a nostalgic reverie but as a living connection between the past and the present, the old and the new, which are never as distinct as we might think.”

Pre-order links for the digital and physical product can be found here.

Some of the tracks that fall under the “super-rare” umbrella were previously released on the “50th Anniversary Collection 1962” and “The “50th Anniversary Collection 1963” CDs — which is to say, barely released at all, since those two discs were issues in pressings of only a few hundred copies to meet 50-year copyright requirements.

The full track list for “Bootleg Series Volume 18”:

DISC 1

1. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
   December 24, 1956 – Terlinde Music Shop, St. Paul, MN
2. I GOT A NEW GIRL
   May 1959 – Home of Ric Kangas, Hibbing, MN
3. SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES
4. JESUS CHRIST
   September 1960 – Home of Bob Dylan, Minneapolis, MN
5. EAST VIRGINIA BLUES
6. K.C. MOAN
7. HARD TRAVELIN’
   Late 1960 – Madison, WI
8. PASTURES OF PLENTY
9. REMEMBER ME
   February 1961 – Home of Bob and Sid Gleason, East Orange, NJ
10. SONG TO WOODY
11. TALKIN’ BEAR MOUNTAIN PICNIC MASSACRE BLUES
    September 6, 1961 – The Gaslight Cafe, NYC
12. AIN’T NO GRAVE
    Summer 1961 – Home of Mell and Lillian Bailey, NYC
13. I AIN’T GOT NO HOME
    May 13, 1961 – Coffman Theater, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
14. DEATH DON’T HAVE NO MERCY
15. DEVILISH MARY
    May 1961 – Minneapolis, MN
16. Introduction: RIVERSIDE CHURCH
17. HANDSOME MOLLY
    July 29, 1961 – Saturday of Folk Music (WRVR-FM), Riverside Church, NYC
18. Introduction: SEE THAT MY GRAVE IS KEPT CLEAN
19. SEE THAT MY GRAVE IS KEPT CLEAN
20. THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND
21. Introduction: PRETTY BOY FLOYD
22. PRETTY BOY FLOYD
23. RAILROADING ON THE GREAT DIVIDE
    October 1, 1961 – Gerdes Folk City, NYC
24. Introduction: FIXIN’ TO DIE
25. FIXIN’ TO DIE
    1961 – Folklore Center, NYC
26. I’LL FLY AWAY – Take 1 (Alternate Take)*
    September 29, 1961 – Carolyn Hester sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NY

DISC 2

1. Introduction: IN THE PINES
2. IN THE PINES
3. GOSPEL PLOW
4. Introduction: YOUNG BUT DAILY GROWING
5. YOUNG BUT DAILY GROWING
6. MAN ON THE STREET
7. THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND*
8. PRETTY POLLY
   November 4, 1961 – Carnegie Chapter Hall, NYC
9. MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW – Rehearsal (Alternate Take, Nov 20, 1961)
10. HOUSE CARPENTER – Take 1 (Outtake, Nov 22, 1961)*
11. YOU’RE NO GOOD – Take 2 with Take 6 Insert (Alternate Take, Nov 20, 1961)
12. HE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE – Take 2 (Outtake, Nov 20, 1961)*
13. RAMBLIN’ ROUND – Take 2 (Outtake, Nov 22, 1961)*
    Bob Dylan sessions Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
14. Story: EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY
15. STEALIN’
16. PO’ LAZARUS
17. DINK’S SONG*
18. I WAS YOUNG WHEN I LEFT HOME*
19. IN THE EVENING
20. BABY, LET ME FOLLOW YOU DOWN
21. COCAINE
    December 22, 1961 – Home of Bonnie Beecher, Minneapolis, MN

DISC 3

1. THE DEATH OF EMMETT TILL
2. Conversation: FOLKSINGER’S CHOICE, 1
3. ROLL ON, JOHN*
4. Conversation: FOLKSINGER’S CHOICE, 2
5. HARD TIMES IN NEW YORK TOWN
   Broadcast March 11, 1962 – Folksinger’s Choice, WBAI-FM Studios, NYC
6. TALKIN’ JOHN BIRCH PARANOID BLUES
   March 1962 – Home of Mell and Lillian Bailey, NYC
7. BALLAD OF DONALD WHITE
   September 20, 1962 – Home of Mac and Eve McKenzie, NYC
8. MIDNIGHT SPECIAL – Rehearsals
9. MIDNIGHT SPECIAL – Take 17 (Alternate Take)
   February 2, 1962 – The Midnight Special sessions, Webster Hall, NYC
10. WICHITA (Album Version)*
11. IT’S DANGEROUS (Album Version)*
    March 2, 1962 – Three Kings and the Queen and Kings and the Queen, Volume Two sessions, Cue Recording Studios, NYC
12. HONEY, JUST ALLOW ME ONE MORE CHANCE**
13. TALKIN’ NEW YORK**
14. CORRINA, CORRINA*
15. DEEP ELLUM BLUES**
16. Introduction: BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND
17. BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND*
    April 16, 1962 – Gerdes Folk City, NYC
18. RAMBLING, GAMBLING WILLIE – Take 3 (Outtake)**
19. (I HEARD THAT) LONESOME WHISTLE – Take 2 (Outtake)**
    April 24, 1962 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
20. ROCKS AND GRAVEL – Take 3 (Outtake)**
    April 25, 1962 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
21. PATHS OF VICTORY
22. TRAIN A-TRAVELIN’ (Album Version)*
    October-December 1962 – Broadside Office, NYC
23. HIRAM HUBBARD**
24. QUIT YOUR LOW DOWN WAYS**
25. LET ME DIE IN MY FOOTSTEPS**
26. RAMBLIN’ ON MY MIND**
27. BLUE YODEL NO. 8 (MULE SKINNER BLUES)**
    July 2, 1962 – The Finjan, Montreal, Canada

DISC 4

1. BABY, PLEASE DON’T GO – Take 3 (Outtake)**
   April 25, 1962 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
2. WORRIED BLUES – Take 1 (Outtake)**
3. BABY, I’M IN THE MOOD FOR YOU – Take 4 (Outtake)**
4. BOB DYLAN’S BLUES – Take 2 (Outtake)**
   July 9, 1962 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
5. Introduction: TOMORROW IS A LONG TIME
6. TOMORROW IS A LONG TIME
7. THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND – The Last Verses
8. LONG TIME GONE
   August 11, 1962 – Home of Dave Whitaker, Minneapolis, MN
9. A HARD RAIN’S A-GONNA FALL*
10. DON’T THINK TWICE, IT’S ALL RIGHT*
11. BARBARA ALLEN*
12. THE CUCKOO*
    October 1962 – The Gaslight Cafe, NYC
13. THAT’S ALL RIGHT – Take 5 (Outtake)**
    October 26, 1962 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
14. MIXED-UP CONFUSION – Take 10 (Single Alternate Take)**
    November 1, 1962 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
15. BALLAD OF HOLLIS BROWN – Take 2 (Outtake)**
16. KINGSPORT TOWN – Take 2 (Outtake)*
    November 14, 1962 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
17. WHATCHA GONNA DO? – Remake, Take 1 (Outtake)**
18. HERO BLUES – Take 4 (Outtake)**
19. I SHALL BE FREE – Take 3 (Alternate Take)**
    December 6, 1962 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC

DISC 5

1. THE BALLAD OF THE GLIDING SWAN
   Broadcast January 13, 1963 – “Madhouse on Castle Street,” BBC-TV Studios, London, England
2. ONLY A HOBO (Album Version)*
3. JOHN BROWN (Album Version)*
   February 1963 – Broadside Ballads, Vol. 1 sessions, Folkways Studio, NYC
4. ALL OVER YOU**
   February 8, 1963 – NYC
5. OXFORD TOWN* (Demo)
   March 1963 – Witmark Studio, NYC
6. BOB DYLAN’S DREAM*
7. Introduction: WALLS OF RED WING
8. WALLS OF RED WING**
9. Introduction: TOMORROW IS A LONG TIME
10. TOMORROW IS A LONG TIME*
11. DUSTY OLD FAIRGROUNDS**
12. Introduction: PRETTY PEGGY-O
13. PRETTY PEGGY-O**
14. WHO KILLED DAVEY MOORE?**
15. LAST THOUGHTS ON WOODY GUTHRIE*
    April 12, 1963 – Town Hall, NYC
16. JAMES ALLEY BLUES**
    April 18, 1963 – Home of Mac and Eve McKenzie, NYC
17. I RODE OUT ONE MORNING**
    April 19, 1963 – Home of Mac and Eve McKenzie, NYC
18. HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN**
    April 18, 1963 – Home of Mac and Eve McKenzie, NYC
19. TALKIN’ WORLD WAR III BLUES
    April 21, 1963 – Club 47, Cambridge, MA
20. MASTERS OF WAR – Take 6 (Alternate Take)
21. GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY – Take 4 (Alternate Take)
    April 24, 1963 – Freewheelin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NY

DISC 6

1. Introduction by Cordell Reagon
2. ONLY A PAWN IN THEIR GAME
3. BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND
   July 6, 1963 – SNCC Voter Registration Rally, Greenwood, MS
4. ETERNAL CIRCLE
5. LIVERPOOL GAL
6. WEST MEMPHIS
   July 17, 1963 – Home of Tony Glover, Minneapolis, MN
7. NORTH COUNTRY BLUES*
8. WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE*
   July 27, 1963 – Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI
9. PLAYBOYS AND PLAYGIRLS*
   July 28, 1963 – Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI
10. BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND*
    July 26, 1963 – Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI; Bob Dylan: vocals and guitar
11. Slate: BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER
12. BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER – Take 1 (Alternate Take)
13. SEVEN CURSES – Take 3 (Outtake)*
14. FAREWELL – Take 5 (Outtake)*
    August 6, 1963 – The Times They Are A-Changin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
15. BOB DYLAN’S NEW ORLEANS RAG – Remake, Take 3 (Outtake)
    August 7, 1963 – The Times They Are A-Changin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
16. MOONSHINER – Remake, Take 1 (Outtake)*
    August 12, 1963 – The Times They Are A-Changin’sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
17. Introduction by Joan Baez
18. TROUBLED AND I DON’T KNOW WHY*
    August 17, 1963 – Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, NYC
19. Introduction by Ossie Davis
20. WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN**
    August 28, 1963 – March on Washington, Washington, D.C.
21. THE LONESOME DEATH OF HATTIE CARROLL
    September 1963 – Home of Ben Shapiro, Los Angeles
22. THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’
    September 1963 – California
23. ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS – Take 1 (Alternate Take)
    October 24, 1963 – The Times They Are A-Changin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC
24. KEY TO THE HIGHWAY – Take 1 (Outtake)
    October 23, 1963 – The Times They Are A-Changin’ sessions, Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios, NYC

DISC 7

1. THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’*
2. BALLAD OF HOLLIS BROWN*
3. Introduction: WHO KILLED DAVEY MOORE?
4. WHO KILLED DAVEY MOORE?*
5. BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER*
6. TALKIN’ JOHN BIRCH PARANOID BLUES*
7. LAY DOWN YOUR WEARY TUNE*
8. Introduction: BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND
9. BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND**
10. Introduction: PERCY’S SONG
11. PERCY’S SONG**
12. SEVEN CURSES**
13. WALLS OF RED WING**
14. Introduction: NORTH COUNTRY BLUES
15. NORTH COUNTRY BLUES*
16. A HARD RAIN’S A-GONNA FALL*
    October 26, 1963 – Carnegie Hall, NYC

DISC 8

1. TALKIN’ WORLD WAR III BLUES**
2. DON’T THINK TWICE, IT’S ALL RIGHT**
3. Story: HOOTENANNY HOOT
4. WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE*
5. ONLY A PAWN IN THEIR GAME**
6. Introduction: MASTERS OF WAR
7. MASTERS OF WAR*
8. Introduction: THE LONESOME DEATH OF HATTIE CARROLL
9. THE LONESOME DEATH OF HATTIE CARROLL*
10. Introduction: WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN
11. WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN*
    October 26, 1963 – Carnegie Hall, NYC