BOB DYLAN : BLOOD ON THE TAPES

  1. If you see her say hello

  2. Lily, Rosemary and The Jack of Hearts

  3. Call Letter Blues

  4. Idiot Wind

  5. Tangled Up In Blue

  6. You're A Big Girl Now

  7. Shelter From The Storm

  8. If You See Her Say Hello

  9. Tangled Up In Blue

  10. Up To Me

  11. Idiot Wind

Label : Columbus

Venue : Columbia Records Studio A, New York City, New York, USA

Recording Date : September 16, 17 and 19, 1974

Length : 69:31

Quality : Studio Recordings (A+)

Review (Bob's Boots) : I have mixed feelings about this title. While the quality is incredible, it stems from the fact that all but four tracks are official releases. Therefore, this is primarily a pirate. With no indication of this fact on the back, the unwary buyer might feel slighted to find he has purchased seven tracks that he already owns. (We would strongly oppose purchasing a pirate without owning the official release). The official tracks were not recorded from a test pressing, but directly from the CD release of Bootleg Vol. 3 (Except You're A Big Girl Now from Biograph). Call Letter was recorded during these sessions, but it was an outtake that never appeared on a test press. The four unreleased tracks are from the original test pressing of the A&R studios recordings. They are markedly lower sound quality than the official tracks, though not so much as to keep them from being an enjoyable listen. The most vinyl noise is to be heard on Idiot Wind. The others are fairly quiet. The package is a well done take-off of CBS and the released version of the LP. All of that being said, the reason behind the title is to compile the original BOTTNY recordings and outtakes in one place for a unique listening experience of what could have been the BOTT LP. The unreleased tracks have traded for quite some time, and have been released on other titles. It would not be too difficult to create this listening experience on your own, using the official titles. It is worth the time and effort, however you decide to own the compilation.

Review (DEEP) : The 11 circulating Blood On The Tracks outtakes all together on one CD is certainly a welcome addition to anyone's collection. Tastily compiled in the order they were recorded and presented in offical release quality (because most of the songs are pirated from official releases, and the others are from the initial test pressing). Although most Dylan fans will already own at least the 7 tracks on official releases, it's nice to have them all in one place. A masterpiece in its own right, scraping buttons and all.