For me, the biggest highlight of Volumes 1-3 of Bob Dylan’s Bootleg Series are the New York versions of a few Blood On the Tracks songs.
As the story goes, Dylan recorded the whole album in New York then decided at the last minute that he wasn’t happy with some of the tracks and laid down new versions in Minneapolis. Those Minneapolis recordings are the songs we all know and love from the finished album.
But the New York tracks, largely acoustic versions of such classics as ‘Tangled Up in Blue,’ ‘Idiot Wind,’ ‘You’re a Big Girl Now’ and Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts,’ are equally revelatory. In fact, on the whole I think I prefer those original versions to the songs on the official release.
Here’s the demo version of ‘If You See Her, Say Hello,’ which isn’t the equal of the delicate, melancholy released version but still packs quite a punch. I love the casual raspiness in Dylan’s voice and the interplay of guitar and harmonica.
The version on Blood On the Tracks is an exquisite performance… this track makes you feel like you’re secretly watching the rehearsal that preceded it.
She left here last early Spring, is livin’ there, I hear
Say for me that I’m all right though things get kind of slow
She might think that I’ve forgotten her, don’t tell her it isn’t so
We had a falling-out, like lovers often will
And to think of how she left that night, it still brings me a chill
And though our separation, it pierced me to the heart
She still lives inside of me, we’ve never been apart
If you get close to her, kiss her once for me
I always have respected her for busting out and gettin’ free
Oh, whatever makes her happy, I won’t stand in the way
Though the bitter taste still lingers on from the night I tried to make her stay
I see a lot of people as I make the rounds
And I hear her name here and there as I go from town to town
And I’ve never gotten used to it, I’ve just learned to turn it off
Either I’m too sensitive or else I’m gettin’ soft
Sundown, yellow moon, I replay the past
I know every scene by heart, they all went by so fast
If she’s passin’ back this way, I’m not that hard to find
Tell her she can look me up if she’s got the time
Meet Me In Montauk 
Given your statement that you prefer some of these versions to those on Blood on The Tracks, but that you prefer this SOTD from the official version, I rather wish you had featured one of the ones you like better from the bootlegs. It’s hard for me to imagine any alternate versions topping the official releases on that album, although I have heard the acoustic version of “Tangled Up In Blue” and find it quite wonderful. Not sure it beats the official version however.
Loving today’s song.
Wonder if Glee will have a Dylan week 😉 I can see a flash forward episode where Finn sings this about Rachel. Kidding, kidding….
Seriously, this is the Dylan I love. Just wonderful.
Dana, I featured the version of ‘Idiot Wind’ on the blog a long time ago… that’s one that I like a lot better in its demo form. Here it is.
The other will show up here tomorrow (and you’ve already guessed it).
Well, looking back at that link, I liked that version of “Idiot Wind” better as well–and I will pat myself on the back for being consistent as to my opinion of “tangled Up in Blue” on the official release vs. the bootleg:)
check out the live If you see her say hello’ from Lakeland in 76…bitter, no sweetness. and the bootleg ‘idio wind’ doesn;t have the organ part that’s also avilable elsewhere, it makes it the equal of the Hard Rain “idiot wind”
Thanks much for posting that. I love that version. Completely different feel and somewhat different chordal structure than the BOTT version. The second verse is a beauty. His phrasing and tone quality stand out as a contradiction to those who claim Bob is not a good singer.