Bob Dylan Tell Tale Signs Review
by 
Scott on October 5th, 2008
Bob Dylan Tell Tale signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8 Rare And Unreleased 1989-2006 comes out this Tuesday October 7th on Columbia Recordings. Let me begin my review by saying this: Now if I sat here and told you that I was a long time Bob Dylan fan, I would be lying through my teeth. The fact is that I have only heard a handful of Dylan’s work. I’ve seen him perform on some VH1 Classics shows from way back but I was never really interested in buying any of his music. The respect for his musicianship and his messages was there but I just never really thought about going out and buying any of his work.
When I was offered to check out this bootleg series for review I thought it was a great idea to expand my interest into the world of the Bob Dylan buzz. What I can tell you after listening to Tell Tale Signs is that I will be looking in more of his work. Lets get to the review.
I was sent to 2 disc set for review. The packaging is a very nice slipcase and comes with a thick booklet that goes in to some of the history of Dylan and some of the events that lead up to songs being left off of the bootleg series. As you can see from the long CD title, all these songs are from live and studio sessions spanning from 1989-2006. This series features songs previously unreleased and rare tracks. Some are versions of an old song that wasn’t released or demos. The entire album has a blues feel to it, almost country at times but not like modern country. Every songs is a heartfelt expression from Bob Dylan and his love for music. Not just someone playing songs to get paid or for the sake of entertainment, but playing the songs from the heart. Playing the music with feeling, as if it’s a creation of love.
I love hard and heavy music, but there are times when I just want to relax and listen to something that puts you in to a very calm state of mind like when sitting on the back deck drinking a few beers or some scotch. These are the times that I usually play something like Pink Floyd. You can bet that Bob Dylan will be added to the play-list now.
Look for Bob Dylan Tell Tale Signs in stores October 7th.
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Tags: Bob Dylan, columbia recordings, tell tale signs| 3.5 (1 person) |
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POSTED IN: Bob Dylan, New Releases, Reviews
5 opinions for Bob Dylan Tell Tale Signs Review
Oct 6, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Hey Scott–
Read the interview and thought you were spot on. Since you are a fan, I thought I’d introduce you to my new novel, BLOOD ON THE TRACKS, which I think you’d enjoy.
It’s a murder-mystery. But not just any rock superstar is knocking on heaven’s door. The murdered rock legend is none other than Bob Dorian, an enigmatic, obtuse, inscrutable, well, you get the picture…
Suspects? Tons of them. The only problem is they’re all characters in Bob’s songs.
You can get a copy on Amazon.com or go “behind the tracks” at http://www.bloodonthetracksnovel.com to learn more about the book.
Oct 9, 2008 at 8:48 pm
1) If this was a “real” album, i.e. recorded contiguously, it would be the best of Dylan’s career, and I’m including Blood On The Tracks and Blonde on Blonde.
2) I believed 15 years ago that Dylan was brain dead, and a decade before that that his best days were long behind him. I was wrong.
3) I believed a long time ago that Dylan’s voice had deteriorated to the point that it was all but too painful to listen to, that he had lost whatever control he had ever had over it as an instrument; I was wrong.
4) Like Keith Richards, Dylan never wanted to be a rock star. He wanted to be an old, black bluesman. He got his wish (minus the black part, obviously).
5) Forget Dylan’s “folk” period or “electric” period or “christian” period or whatever, the music here encompasses the entirety of American music going back to the 1800s and forward into forever. Forget Kurt Cobain. Forget pretty much everybody else. These songs, at least some of them (the opener “Mississippi,” for example), could have been written and recorded by Stephen Foster in the 1890s (had there been real recording equipment then), or Blind Willie McTell in the 20s, or Robert Johnson in the 30s, or Muddy Waters in the 40s, or Howlin’ Wolf in the 50s, but it was recorded by a 60-something Dylan in 2000-something. It’s a “new” blues song, which in any other context would be an oxymoron, as no one is writing blues songs anymore. But, by gawd, here is one that will be just as relevant in 100 years as it would have been 100 years ago.
6) Dylan couldn’t have done these songs in his youth. No one could have. They have the weight of age.
7) If there is such as thing as Art, this qualifies.
8) It’s not for everyone, any more than Picasso was for everyone, or Joyce, or Frank Lloyd Wright. That doesn’t make it any less important.
9) As an artist, it’s really astounding to consider that someone as mercurial as Dylan could remain relevant for more than 45 years. Name me one other artist in any field (writing, painting, sculpture, architecture, you name it) who has been able to do that. Careers have an arc; Dylan is currently defying that notion. He’s a freak of physics as much as art.
10) Where has this shit been? His “real” albums have always been hit or miss, even the good ones; his “bootleg” albums are all hits, and this one most of all.
Oct 9, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Jesus, Jerry. You make me wish that you did my review for me! That was great. Thanks for the input on this album. You said more than my review ever could, especially since my Dylan knowledge is minimal. It’s very appreciated.
Oct 12, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I have only listened to this album twice, but now consider it a classic. It is a masterpiece. It stands alone as one of his greatest albus. After a few more listens I may even consider it his greatest album. Excellent comments Jerry
Oct 21, 2008 at 5:15 pm
As regards the comment on other artists with similarly long careers: off the top of my head, I’d say Miles Davis and Pablo Picasso.
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