"Everything And Nothing" by DAVID SYLVIAN - Album Tracks, Single-Only Mixes, Alternate Versions and Previously Unreleased Outtakes from 1980 to 1999 and completed in 2000. Includes songs by Japan, Rain Tree Crow and Collaborations with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Alesini and Andreoni, Robert Fripp of King Crimson and Mick Karn of Japan and Rain Tree Crow. Guests include Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe, Bill Frisell, Keith Tippett, Trey Gunn, Ingrid Chavez, Mark Isham, Danny Thompson, John Taylor, Steve Tibbetts, Phil Palmer, Marc Ribot, David Bottrill, Anne O'Dell, Holger Czukay and many more (October 2000 UK Virgin 2CD Compilation with Bob Ludwig Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Every Colour You Want..."

I've been a monster admirer of ex JAPAN front-man and left-field singer-songwriter DAVID SYLVIAN for four-plus decades now - loving albums like "Brilliant Trees", "Secrets Of the Beehive" and "Dead Bees On A Cake". 

 

I've always looked forward to where his adventure with soundscapes would go to next - brilliant and myriad excursions into collaborations with quality types like Ryuichi Sakamoto, Alesini and Andreoni and Robert Fripp of King Crimson - never mind his stints with JAPAN and RAIN TREE CROW. However, in my addled and aging disgracefully mind, our whole-foods wholesome DS has also made cack - some albums and heavy sounds I can't actually play (I collected them anyway). 

 

But there's just something about this utterly brilliant and perfectly compiled retrospective from 2000 that hits every marker and I go back to it so often. Great song choices, altered versions that feel better, beautiful Bob Ludwig mastering. When I worked at Reckless in Berwick Street in Soho (a busy joint) - we only had to play outtakes like "The Scent Of Magnolia" or "Ride" on CD1 and hungry punters would be grapple-hooking the elevated serving counter wanting some of that speaker caviar we were just playing. 

And the list of exceptional collaborations/contributions Sylvan has done in his solo career stretches back with abandon - Guitarists Robert Fripp of King Crimson, Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe, Bill Frisell, Phil Palmer, Steve Tibbetts, David Torn, Marc Ribot, Trey Gunn and Rob Dean - Keyboardists Keith Tippett, John Taylor and Tommy Barbarella with Horn Players Mark Isham, Mel Collins and Kenny Wheeler. Also in the mix is Pentangle's Double Bass player Danny Thompson, Can's Holger Czukay, arrangements by Anne O'Dell, duets with Keyboardist, Arranger and songwriter Ryuichi Sakamoto, Euro programming with Alesini and Andreoni - and all of it with the vision-achieving assistance of Engineers like David Bottrill and Steve Nye (to name but a few).

 

Fans will know that there is a 3CD variant of October 2000's "Everything And Nothing" on Virgin CDVDX2897 (Barcode 724385019524) that offers a further 4-Track Bonus Disc of Rarities and all of it presented (unsaid) on lurid 24-carat gold digital chariots. But for now I want to concentrate on the standard 2CD variant in a mere jewel-case - a forgotten compilation that in January 2023 I've seen online for under three quid (talk about 'big dids for small quids'). 

 

There's a whole mess of new and old on here that's been mightily tinkered with, so some manly explanation is needed. Let's have at our Ambient Hero...

 

UK released 9 October 2000 - "Everything And Nothing" by DAVID SYLVIAN on Virgin CDVD2897 (Barcode 724385001727) is a 29-Track 2CD Compilation that plays out as follows: 

 

CD1 (72:00 minutes):

1. The Scent Of Magnolia 

(Previously Unreleased "Dead Bees On A Cake" album outtake from 1999, completed in 2000, Spoken Vocals by Ingrid Chavez)

2. Heartbeat (Tainai Kaiki II) 

(Collaboration, from the Ryuichi Sakamoto album "Heartbeat" on Virgin Records America in 1992, Bill Frisell on Lead Guitar, Ingrid Chavez on Vocals)

3. Blackwater 

(From the 1991 "Rain Tree Crow" album by Rain Tree Crow on Virgin Records, featuring Steve Jansen, Mick Karn and Richard Barbieri of Japan - Lead Guitar by Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe)

4. Albuquerque (Dobro No. 6)

(Previously Unreleased "Dead Bees On A Cake" album outtake from 1999, completed in 2000)

5. Ride 

(Previously Unreleased "Secrets Of The Beehive" album outtake from 1987, completed in 2000, features Phil Palmer and David Torn on Guitars, Danny Thompson on Double Bass with Mark isham on Trumpet, Paino by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Drums/Percussion by Steve Jansen)

6. The Golden Way 

(Collaboration, from the album "Marco Polo" by Alesini & Andreoni (Nicola Alesini and Pier Luigi Andreoni), released by Materiali Sonori in 1995)

7. Ghosts

(With Japan, from their fifth album "Tin Drum" released by Virgin in Nov 1981)

8. Pop Song 

(Single Version from the October 1989 UK 3" CD-single on Virgin VSCD 1221)  

9. Every Colour You Are

(From the 1991 "Rain Tree Crow" album by Rain Tree Crow on Virgin Records, Slide Guitar by Phil Palmer)

10. Wanderlust

(From the 1999 album "Dead Bees On A Cake", featuring Tommy Barbarella)

11. God's Monkey 

(From the collaboration album "The First Day" by Robert Fripp (of King Crimson) and David Sylvian on Virgin Records in 1993)

12. Let The Happiness In

(From the album "Secrets Of The Beehive" released by Virgin Records in 1987)

13. I Surrender

(From the 1999 album "Dead Bees On A Cake")

14. Thoroughly Lost To Logic

(Previously Unreleased 1991 recording, co-write and featuring Keith Tippett on Piano, finished 2000) 

 

CD2 (67:38 minutes):

1. Jean The Birdman 

(From the collaboration album "The First Day" by Robert Fripp (of King Crimson) and David Sylvian on Virgin Records in 1993)

2. Cover Me With Flowers 

(Previously Unreleased "Dead Bees On A Cake" album outtake from 1999, completed in 2000, features Steve Tibbetts on Guitars)

3. The Boy With The Gun

(From the 1999 album "Dead Bees On A Cake", features Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Torn and Danny Thompson)

4. Riverman

(From the Japan 2LP set "Gone To Earth" on Virgin Records in September 1986, features Robert Fripp of King Crimson on Guitars and Mel Collins on Saxophone)

5. Apama And Nimisha (Dobro No. 5) 

(Previously Unreleased "Dead Bees On A Cake" album outtake from 1999, completed in 2000, features Bill Frisell on Dobro)

6. Midnight Sun 

(From the album "Secrets Of The Beehive" released by Virgin Records in 1987, features Marc Ribot on Guitar, String Arrangements by Ryuichi Sakamoto)

7. Orpheus 

(From the album "Secrets Of The Beehive" released by Virgin Records in 1987, features Mark Isham, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Phil Palmer and danny Thompson)

8. Some Kind Of Fool 

(Previously Unreleased, taken from Japan's sessions for their fourth album "Gentlemen Wear Polaroids" released Nov 1980 on Virgin, finished in 2000, Violin by Simon House and Vocals by Ingrid Chavez)

9. Cries And Whispers
(From the 1991 "Rain Tree Crow" album by Rain Tree Crow on Virgin Records, featuring Steve Jansen, Mick Karn and Richard Barbieri of Japan)

10. Godman

(From the 1999 album "Dead Bees On A Cake", features Mark Ribot on Guitar, Steve Jansen on Loops with Ingrid Chavez on Vocals)

11. Laughter And Forgetting 

(From the Japan 2LP set "Gone To Earth" on Virgin Records in September 1986, features John Taylor on Piano and Kenny Wheeler on Flugelhorn)

12. Buoy 

(Collaboration, from the Mick Karn solo album "Dreams Of Reason Produce Monsters" released 1987 on Virgin Records, also featuring Steve Jansen of Japan)

13. Weathered Wall

(From David Sylvian's debut solo album "Brilliant Trees" released June 1984 on Virgin Records, features Jon Hassell on Trumpet, Ryuichi Sakamota and Barbieri on Keyboards with Holger Czukay of Can on Recorders)

14. Bamboo Houses 

(Original Version by Ryuichi Sakamota and David Sylvian released 1982 on Virgin Records, features Steve Jansen)

15. Come Morning 

(Collaboration, from the album "Marco Polo" by Alesini & Andreoni (Nicola Alesini and Pier Luigi Andreoni), released by Materiali Sonori in 1995)

 

The 16-page booklet acts a pictorial for our photogenic musical troubadour (and wife Ingrid) with full track-by-track credits across the centre pages and beyond. It's kind of hard to read the thick and fast small print, but the BOB LUDWIG Mastering is the star here. This 2CD set sounds gorgeous even when the music is deliberately grunged up or programmed to bleed. But what gets me (for someone so closely associated with King Crimson and even Roxy Music Prog and Indie of old) - is the musicality that seeps through the softer stuff - "Every Colour You Are", "Heartbeat" and even the beautiful simplicity of the 'Dobro' snippets/numbers. 

 

There's something for everyone here - Japan fans getting a newly turned out songs from the "Gentlemen Wear Polaroids" period of 1980 and the now forgotten 1986 double "Gone To Earth" - later lovers being treated to the seemingly endless creativity that surrounded both "Secrets Of The Beehive" (1987) and "Dead Bees On A Cake" (1999). I didn't (admittedly) have the two Euro CD cuts with Alesini & Andreoni on CD1 and CD2 - so nice one there. And I can never get enough of "I Surrender" and "Weathered Wall". 

 

I dare say, David Sylvian and his (almost) non-songs will not be for everyone. But those who love their songsmiths penning the pretty side of leftfield and ambient mood will be making tea, dunking the digestives and planning another 'Everything And Nothing' deep dive. I love it. Prada indeed...

"Deuce: 50th Anniversary Edition" by RORY GALLAGHER – November 1971 UK Second Solo Album on Polydor Records [ex TASTE] featuring Gerry McAvoy on Bass and Wilgar Campbell on Drums (September 2022 UK UMC/Polydor 2CD Deluxe Edition Reissue with Previously Unreleased Outtakes and Frank Arkwright Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"…Took Me Out My Mind…Took Me Out Of My Head…"

 

Last time we were here was in September 2012 for the 40^th Anniversary of his Solo career after going solo from TASTE (and a great Remaster that was too).

 

But ten years on and that variant is now blown out of the proverbial waters by this new all-encompassing juggernaut campaign of 50^th Anniversary reissues with oodles of sweet unreleased stuff and new Remix/Remasters. I reviewed the self-titled debut album 50^th Anniversary twofer from 2021 in this series (what a winner) and again here – a multiple release that finally does the great Irish Axeman proud. And it's on an album fans really adore – his second studio LP in 1971 - "Deuce".

 

The 50^th Anniversary reissues of "Deuce" comes in a few variants: there is a fantastic looking 3LP VINYL set on UMC/Polydor 4554223 (Barcode 602445542239) featuring the sixteen previously unreleased cuts that are on the 2CD set, it's mastered at Abbey Road and pressed up on 180 Grams Vinyl for best audio. And then of course is the big daddy (save up for that one) – the 4CD Super Deluxe variant on UMC/Polydor 4554204 (Barcode 602445542048) that gives us 4CDs, the album on CD1 and a whopping 42 Previously Unreleased across the other 3CDs (including live) and a beautiful 64-page hardback book.

 

But for the moment, let us deal with the Joe Bogs 2CD Deluxe variant...details of the Limited Edition are...

 

UK released 30 September 2022 - "Deuce: 50^th Anniversary Edition" by RORY GALLAGHER on UMC/Polydor 4554219 (Barcode 602445542192) is a 2CD Deluxe Edition Reissue (Remixed and Remastered) with 16 Previously Unreleased tracks that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Deuce" 50^th Anniversary Edition (47:20 minutes):

Side 1. Used To Be

2. I'm Not Awake Yet

3. Don't Know Where I'm Going

4. Maybe I Will

5. Whole Lot Of People

Side 2

6. In Your Town

7. Should've Learnt My Lesson

8. There's A Light

9. Out Of My Mind

10. Crest Of A Wave

Tracks 1 to 10 are his second solo album "Deuce" – released late November 1971 on Polydor 2383 076 in the UK and Atco SD 7004 in the USA. Produced by RORY GALLAGHER – it peaked at No. 39 in the UK charts (didn’t chart US).

 

CD2 Alternate Takes And Radio Bremen Sessions (78:58 minutes):

1. Used To Be (Alternate Take 1)

2. I'm Not Awake Yet (Alternate Take 1)

3. Maybe I Will (Alternate Take 1)

4. Whole Lot Of People (12-String Acoustic Alternate Take 1)

5. In Your Town (Alternate Take 3)

6. Should've Learnt My Lesson (Alternative Take 3)

7. There's A Light (Alternative Take 1)

8. Out Of My Mind (Alternate Take 3)

9. Crest of A Wave (Alternate Take 2)

10. Should've Learnt My Lesson (Radio Bremen 21/12/1971)

11. Crest Of A Wave (Radio Bremen 21/12/1971)

12. I Could've Had Religion (Radio Bremen 21/12/1971)

13. For The Last Time (Radio Bremen 21/12/1971)

14. Messin' With The Kid (Radio Bremen 21/12/1971)

15. Don't Know Where I'm Going (Radio Bremen 21/12/1971)

16. Pistol Slapper Blues (Radio Bremen 21/12/1971)

 

NOTES:

(a) The single bonus track "Persuasion" which first appeared on the 1999 CD reissue, was not put on the January 2012 release and again, is not on here. "Persuasion" sounded to me suspiciously like a much later outtake stuck on the end of a reissue so it would have something previously unreleased. There is no mention of "Persuasion" either in the new 2020 liner notes.

(b) Eagle-eyed fans will notice that the 2012 CD Remaster had a total playing time of 46:58 minutes, whilst this new 2022 variant is 47:20 minutes. Much of the addition comes from an unexpected and largely unannounced end to "Crest Of A Wave" – last track on the album. Here Donal has let the tapes run where (after stupendous soloing on the song, the best on the whole album) – a suitably impressed Robin Sylvester (the Engineer) says in glee "Flawless!" to which Rory replies "...the lucky word you always use!" Tis a nice touch...

 

The three-way foldout card sleeve digipak uses more MICK ROCK photos on the inside and beneath the two see-through CD-trays (he did the famous front and rare photos that made RG look so damn cool). The 12-page booklet pours on the interviews and insider explanations. First up is fan and devotee JOHNNY MARR of THE SMITHS – a mere thirteen years of age when he saw the album that changed his guitar-playing trajectory. It's a lovely and appreciative account from one humble virtuoso to another. That is in turn followed by ROB DAVENPORT giving us 'The Inside Story' of "Deuce" that includes Bassist Gerry McAvoy recollecting Rory being eager to go and happy as he recorded – wanting to capture his live sound in the studio as much as possible. The text is small but hugely informative and is bolstered up by photos of the boys in the studio recording, Rory and his paint-job battered Fender Strat, reissue credits (Gerry McAvoy on Bass and Wilgar Campbell on Drums) etc.

 

The FRANK ARKWRIGHT Remaster has finally ironed out those tape glitches that marred some earlier reissues of "Deuce" – Donal also quite rightly mentioning that the live nature of the recordings had left some distortion on the tapes, but careful transfers have kept the vitality but lost 'some' of the fuzz. It does still sound gritty around the guitar-edges – probably always will – but as an album I actually bought in 1971 and have been hearing for 50+ years – this is tearfully the best. Dig that acoustic clarity in "Out Of My Mind" – Hell YES! To the LP...

 

With all 10 tracks self-penned and self-produced - the songwriting and playing on his second solo album improved hugely on his unflashy debut album from 26 May of that same year. For that reason "Deuce" has been a huge fan favourite ever since - name-checked by such other luminaries as The Edge of U2 and Slash of Guns 'N Roses. The greatly talented and much-missed US comedian Bill Hicks raved about it for years too. The original British vinyl album in particular (some 50+ years after the event) with its easy to damage and flimsy sleeve has become increasingly expensive in Auctions (much like the TASTE studio albums from 1969 and 1970). So this reasonably priced star in a tasty 2CD car is a great way of acquiring a rarity at a very reasonable cost. And I have seen the 3LP variant that can only be described as a thing of beauty.

 

"Used To Be" opens our 70ts Rock account in a cool riffage way – kicking like a mule and intact too. The slight crackle that marred parts of "Maybe I Will" is gone too, while the shuffling acoustic guitars of "I'm Not Awake Yet" now have the bounce they always needed. "Don't Know Where I'm Going" is fabulous acoustic Blues and it sounds great. "Whole Lot Of People" retains the 'live' feel Rory wanted - complete with him shouting before he goes into that speaker-to-speaker solo. The studio version of "In Your Town" is beefed up too, but will always be in the shadow of the truly incredible version he does of it on 1972’s "Live! In Europe" (maybe the next 50^th set?) and I've always loved the slow feel to "Should've Learned My Lesson" - probably the best-sounding track on here. The jazzy "There's A Light" has beautifully sweet Bass from Gerry McAvoy and great swirling guitars and off-center vocals from Rory. And I can still remember to this day the excitement and frustration of trying to copy the acoustic brilliance of the Doc Watson influenced "Out Of My Head" (lyrics above). I'm sure my teenage attempts were mirrored by hundreds of other budding guitarists. "Out Of My Mind" was just so brilliantly musical and showed off his amazing playing skill for a lad of only 23. The album then ends on a rock high with "Crest Of A Wave" where the band kicks in with some power.

 

CD2 is almost 80-minutes of previously unreleased including seven live tracks recently found where he and his band did a Radio show in Bremen just before Christmas 1971 (the album had hit the shops in the UK and Germany 28 November 1971 so would have very fresh in mind). Fans will immediately spot that three of the exclusive tracks on "Live! In Europe" got early runs here – Rory testing the live waters with "Pistol Slapper Blues" by Fulton Allen, "Messin’ With The Kid" by Junior Wells and a Blues Traditional in "I Could’ve Had Religion". He completes his Bremen set with three from "Deuce" and "For The Last Time" from the Debut Album of May 1971.

 

But it is no surprise that Donal and Co have opened CD2 with Take 1 of "Used To Be" where hiss and giggles introduce the band live and kicking in the studio. Frankly I might take this over the finished version; although Rory is still working out the solo proper, his other licks and chords have an excitement and power that is awesome. I don't like "Maybe I Will" but I'm stunned by a 12-String Acoustic version of "Whole Lotta People" which is the kind of outtake that's likely to make me weep - what a find. It's smartly followed by a fantastic 'live' in the studio smash at "In Your Town" - his enthusiasm clearly in evidence - cause no trouble - no fuss - no fight - Rory's slide clashing away and even with that speaker-to-speaker pan in evidence. The boys have fun shouting "Yeah!" before they do Take 3 of "Should've Learned My Lesson" - the audio fabulous and arguably better than the LP cut. Great harmonics fill your speakers for "There's A Light" and again the playing somehow feels better and more adventurous than the LP cut. I love-love-love the 'one more go and I'll have a pint' take on "Out Of My Mind" - his Acoustic prowess just stunning - the whole thing tingling with his magic and accuracy even at speed. He fluffs the last verse and starts again - great! The Alternates come to a close with a shuffling Rocker - Take 2 of "Crest Of A Wave" - the band giving it muscle. 

 

Starting out like Led Zeppelin live with fabulous letting-it-rip guitar, "Should've Learned My Lesson" comes at first with a Slow Blues - the quality better than bootleg - with Wilgar's Drums clear and whacking as Rock gets chunky on the riffage. He lays into some serious Slide Guitar for "I Could've Had Religion" - the rough and heavy Blues feel of the recording filling the performance with a period power. And on it goes - "Messin' With The Kid" rocking out like a mother and it all come to a Western Plains acoustic close with "Pistol Slapper Blues" - Moonshine whiskey and talkin' all out of your head.  

 

Rory was sadly lost to us in 1995 through liver failure - and it still hurts to think that this most unassuming and brilliant guitar genius is gone. But at last Our Hero is getting the respect. The mighty "Live! In Europe" LP from 1972 that finally broke him open globally (again on Polydor) maybe the next in this 50^th Anniversary Series – albeit a year late because of Covid-19 delays. But what a mouth-watering treat that's going to be, an equal to and even surpassing of "Deuce". 

 

Bring it on baby...

"The Best Of The Cutting Edge: 1965-1966 - The Bootleg Series Vol. 12" by BOB DYLAN - 'Highway 61 Revisited' and 'Blonde On Blonde' Album Outtakes and Sessions - Musicians Included Charlie McCoy, Wayne Moss and Kenneth Buttrey of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry, Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mike Bloomfield of The Electric Flag, Hargus Robbins, Jerry Kennedy, Joe South, Bill Aikins, Paul Griffin, Will Lee, Bobby Gregg of The Devil’s Anvil, Wayne Butler of Charlie McCoy & The Escorts, Henry Strzelecki of The Teenagers, Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Levon Helm of The Band (November 2015 UK Columbia/Sony/Legacy 26-Track 2CD Compilation - Volume 12 in The Bootleg Series - Truncated Version of the Super Deluxe Edition Box Set - Mark Wilder Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...My Love Laughs Like The Flowers..." 

 

Beating Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention's "Freak Out!" by only one week - Rock's first double-album "Blonde On Blonde" was a zenith for the Bobster (and it's been an artistic touchstone ever since). 

 

Released as a 2LP set 20 June 1966 in the USA on Columbia C2L 41 (Mono) and Columbia C2S 841 (Stereo) and 13 August 1966 in the UK on CBS Records DDP 66012 (Mono) and CBS Records SDDP 66012 (Stereo) - "Blonde On Blonde" was produced by BOB JOHNSTON and peaked at No. 9 and No. 3 in each country respectively. "Highway 61 Revisited" from 1965 was the same - an influence beast. Between them, these two long-players were the culmination of an extraordinary talent run amok, peak 60ts period songs made all the more amazing by a sympatico band that delivered Bob Dylan's new electrified vision. 

 

And that where this sensational Volume 12 in the ongoing 'Bootleg Series' for all things Dylan comes a ramblin' in - shaking its Tambourine man and gettin' positive with Johanna, 4th Street and Tombstone Blues. Let's get to Dylan's 115 dreams...

 

UK released 6 November 2015 - "The Best of The Cutting Edge: 1965-1966 - The Bootleg Series Vol.12" by BOB DYLAN on Columbia/Sony/Legacy 88875124422 (Barcode 888751244221) is a 36-Track 2CD Compilation of outtakes from the "Blonde On Blonde" sessions that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (70:21 minutes):

1. Love Minus Zero No Limit (Take 2 Acoustic)

2. I'll Keep It With Mine (Take 1 Piano Demo)

3. Bob Dylan's 115th Dream (Take 2 Solo Acoustic)

4. She Belongs To Me (Take 1 Solo Acoustic)

5. Subterranean Homesick Blues (Take 1 Alternate Take)

6. Outlaw Blues (Take 2 Alternate Take)

7. On The Road Again (Take 4 Alternate Take)

8. Farewell, Angelina (Take 1 Solo Acoustic)

9. If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Take 2 Alternate Take)

10. You Don't Have To Do That (Take 1 Solo Acoustic)

11. California (Take 1 Solo Acoustic)

12. Mr. Tambourine Man (Take 3 with Band, Incomplete)

13. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry (Take 8 Alternate Take)

14. Like A Rolling Stone (Take 5 Rehearsal)

15. Like A Rolling Stone (Take 11 Alternate Take)

16. Sitting On A Barbed Wire Fence (Take 2 Unreleased Take)

17. Medicine Sunday (Take 1, Early Version of 'Temporary Like Achilles')

18. Desolation Row (Take 2 Piano Demo)

19. Desolation Row (Take 1 Alternate Take)

All tracks Produced by TOM WILSON except 13 and 16 to 19 by BOB JOHNSTON

 

CD2 (75:00 minutes): 

1. Tombstone Blues (Take 1 Alternate Take)

2. Positively 4th Street (Take 5 Alternate Take)

3. Can you Please Crawl Out Your Window? (Take 1 Alternate Take)

4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (Take 3 Rehearsal)

5. Highway 61 Revisited (Take 3 Alternate Take)

6. Queen Jane Approximately (Take 5 Alternate Take)

7. Visions of Johanna (Take 5 Rehearsal)

8. She's Your Lover Now (Take 6 Rehearsal)

9. Lunatic Princess (Take 1)

10. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (Take 8 Alternate Take)

11. One Of Must Know (Sooner Or Later) (Take 19 Alternate Take)

12. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again (Take 13 Alternate Take)

13. Absolutely Sweet Marie (Take 1 Alternate Take)

14. Just Like A Woman (Take 4 Alternate Take)

15. Pledging My Time (Take 1 Alternate Take)

16. I Want You (Take 4 Alternate Take)

17. Highway 61 Revisited (Take 7 False Start) 

All Tracks Produced by BOB JOHNSTON

 

The hard-card slipcase and 62-page colour booklet are among the best I've seen in this entire Bob Dylan series - wads of period photos - rare picture sleeves - press adverts - track-by-track info - notes from a pre-Blood, Sweat & Tears Al Kooper, the album artwork photographer and even backing vocalist Angeline Butler - it's really fantastic stuff. And MARK WILDER has once again done the Audio business with Remasters that thrill every time. These recordings jump and feel alive and yet are intimate in those quieter acoustic moments when you want them too. Exceptional.

 

There are genuinely hair-raising moments on this twofer that I suspect even die-hard Dylanites shudder at - the gorgeous unadorned acoustic Takes of "She Belongs To Me" and "Farewell, Angelina", while ace guitarist Mike Bloomfield plays an absolute blinder on Take 8 of "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" and his soloing on Take 2 of "Sitting On A Barbed Wire Fence". And even if the take of "Medicine Sunday" is incomplete and stops too criminally soon, you can hear the magic of The Band on it (Robertson, Hudson, Danko and Helm are all there). And if you needed confirmation of his tale-telling genius, Disc 1 ends with a spellbinding Take 1 of "Desolation Row" with only Dylan on Acoustic and Russ Savakus on a Double Bass - a staggering eleven-minutes and fifteen-seconds of brilliant rhyming lyrics and melody. These are just some of the gems on CD1 - there's oodles more.

CD2 throws up a starter on the Paul Revere's horse song (no need to be nervous) "Tombstone Blues", but even though it's good, the genius of the finished article isn't quite there yet. Take 5 of "Positively 4th Street" is so good too - but for me the first moment of must-have comes with a Take 1 of "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window" - Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper keeping time the piano tinkering of Paul Griffin. The same band attempts Take 3 of "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" in early August 1965 - such a lovely languid feel - stunning stuff in its easy-going shuffle. Paul Griffin gets to 'organ' shine for a tasty alternate of "Queen Jane Approximately" but The Band (Robertson, Manuel, Danko and Hudson) can't really save a too-fast hammy take on "Visions Of Johanna". Better is their contribution to "She's Your Lover Now". Joe South and much of a future Area Code 615 (Charle McCoy, Wayne Moss etc) vamp up a weird sound-effects cut of "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat". Far better are Robbie Robertson (Guitar) and Paul Griffin (Organ) on a lovely version of "One Of Must Know (Sooner Or Later)". And on it goes...

This twofer is an embarrassment of riches and along with "Tell Tale Signs: Rare And Unreleased 1989-2006 - The Bootleg Series Vol.8" marks high-points in this truly extraordinary series. 

Bob Dylan is a legend, but "Cutting Edge" actually shows why. Toppermost of the poppermost - and there's nothing approximate about it...