***The Never-Ending Bob Dylan Bootleg Series-Another Self- Portrait (1969-1971)-Volume Ten

 

CD Review

From The Pen Of Frank Jackman

 Bob-Dylan -Another Self- Portrait (1969-1971)-Bootleg Series-Volume Ten, 2 CD set, Bob Dylan, Columbia Records, 2013

Several years ago I started reviewing many of Bob Dylan’s early records (vinyl, for those who remember that ancient art of recording a performer in the Stone Age of music technology) and in the process drew a contrast between his staying power, or sheer willfulness, in continuing to perform many concert dates each year in every place that would take him from giant urban arenas to small town theaters, as against the many male folk/folk rock performers from his time who have either hung up the guitar or only perform occasionally. (I will not even mention the now piling up list of those who have passed away.) I, at that time, made something of a joke about some never-ending tour he seemed to have committed himself to. Apparently we are to be treated, if the CD compilation under review, Another Self-Portrait) the tenth in the series, is any indication to a never-ending bootleg CD tour as well.

Frankly I was impressed with first bootleg production (Volumes 1-3 in one set) since the set had been filled with many songs that did not make early albums, interesting alterative renditions of familiar songs and some outtakes which were of some historical interest. However by the time one gets to a volume ten of anything, especially some bootleg material put out by the hardly unknown Columbia Records empire it is hard to see how any but the dwindling cohort of Dylan aficionados could savor such endless repetition of material.   (I will not even speak of the 2013 adventure of putting out yet another “complete” Dylan anthology at a price tag of some two hundred dollars).

There are however, as one would expect, some hidden gems on this 2 CD 35 track set, especially renditions of old time traditional tunes like Bring Me Little Water, Railroad Bill and House Carpenter. Add a couple of alternate songs from the New Morning and that about does it from a period when he still had enough of a voice to make fans sit up and listen without wincing. Strangely, or perhaps not so strangely when one thinks about it, the most ear-catching track on the whole compilation is Wigwam which he hums from start to finish. So yes, this one is for aficionados and archivists mostly-for the real deal go get those very early records (remember: vinyl then) and learn why Bob Dylan led the folk revival minute in the early 1960s and why every other male vocalist/songwriter was left in his wake.