Dylan Bootleg Number 8

Brings new light to a rich and storied career--like looking at the best of his later body of work (beyond his most commercially successful period of late 60s and early 70s) with a fresh set of ears. Very strong collection--holds up against the last six albums in terms of quality--especially the stripped down acoustic numbers that recall Nashville Skyline and Blood on the Tracks. Love the deep mining of American genres such as blues, swing and gospel and the brilliant wordplay. Crackerjack session players on all these tracks--like the varied feel of the multiple takes of the same song. Can't recall an artist other than Duke Ellington who was able to float through the decades in such a productive fashion.

I think it's fantastic. If you are listening to it as if it were a stand-alone release, then I can understand some of the hesitancy. Yet, it is worth the price simply for the opening version of Mississippi and for Red River Shore (both versions). However, it's real value is in seeing (OK, hearing) how an incredible artist like Dylan works. Not only is the breadth and depth of his output amazing, but the breadth and depth within each version of a song is stunning. Each reading of Mississippi, for instance is like a song unto itself. It's not unlike viewing Monet's paintings, such as the the cathedrals or haystacks, side by side. The light, color, and shading are different, yet the subject is the same. In than sense, I see Dylan as an Impressionist. And he is to song what Monet (have to give credit, too, to Camille Pissarro) was to art.

For the small investment of the standard CD, this is a must for all Dylan fans.

I agree with you Azmoon. There is one complication; the standard 2 CD package has about 26 tracks, while the 3 CD Deluxe, quite pricey version, has 39 tracks. So, to get all the music one has to go for the deluxe box (or the LPs). I think this is quite bad on Columbia's part.