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Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8

Bob Dylan - Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8 Audio CD

A fair review of the Bob Dylan "Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Bob Dylan reviews here, or go back to the Bob Dylan tabs.

Band: Bob Dylan
Title: Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8
Rating:

Release Date: 2008-10-07
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Mississippi 6:04 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind) 2: Most of the Time 3:46 (Alternate version, Oh Mercy) 3: Dignity 2:09 (Piano demo, Oh Mercy) 4: Someday Baby 5:56 (Alternate version, Modern Times) 5: Red River Shore 7:36 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind) 6: Tell Ol' Bill 5:31 (Alternate version, North Country soundtrack) 7: Born in Time 4:10 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy) 8: Can't Wait 5:45 (Alternate version, Time Out of Mind) 9: Everything is Broken 3:27 (Alternate version, Oh Mercy) 10: Dreamin' of You 6:23 (Unreleased, Time Out Of Mind) 11: Huck's Tune 4:09 (From Lucky You soundtrack) 12: Marchin' to the City 6:36 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind) 13: High Water (For Charley Patton) 6:40 (Live, August 23, 2003, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada) 14: Mississippi 6:24 (Unreleased version #2, Time Out of Mind) 15: 32-20 Blues 4:22 (Unreleased, World Gone Wrong) 16: Series of Dreams 6:27 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy) 17: God Knows 3:12 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy) 18: Can't Escape from You 5:22 (Unreleased, December 2005) 19: Dignity 5:25 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy) 20: Ring Them Bells 4:59 (Live at The Supper Club, November 17, 1993, New York, NY) 21: Cocaine Blues 5:30 (Live, August 24, 1997, Vienna, VA) 22: Ain't Talkin' 6:13 (Alternate version, Modern Times) 23: The Girl on the Greenbriar Shore 2:51 (Live, June 30, 1992,Dunkerque, France) 24: Lonesome Day Blues 7:37 (Live, February 1, 2002, Sunrise, FL) 25: Miss the Mississippi 3:20 (Unreleased, 1992) 26: The Lonesome River 3:04 (With Ralph Stanley, from the album Clinch Mountain Country) 27: 'Cross the Green Mountain 8:15 (From Gods and Generals Soundtrack)

In The Late Prime Of Mr. Bob Dylan

Okay, okay I have gone on and one over the past year or so about the influence of Bob Dylan's music (and lyrics) on me, and on my generation, the Generation of '68. The first paragraph of this review has been used to review other later Bob Dylan CDs. But, please, don't blame me. Blame Bob. After all he could very easily have gone into retirement and enjoyed the fallout from his youthful fame and impressed one and all at his local AARP chapter. But, no, he had to go out on the road continuously, seemingly forever, keeping his name and music front and center. Moreover, the son of a gun has done more reinventions of himself than one could shake a stick at (folk troubadour, symbolic poet in the manner of Rimbaud and Verlaine, heavy metal rocker, blues man, etc. ) So, WE are left with forty or so years of work to go through to try to sort it out. In short, can I (or anyone else) help it if he is restless and acts, well, . . . like a rolling stone?

Today we discuss Dylan's top shelf work from his `mature' period after 1989. This eighth in a rather remarkable series of bootleg albums fills the bill as advertised. He probably should have released this material earlier during that dreadfully barren 1980s (that of which was already done but unreleased). There are, as usual, plenty of outtakes, second versions (some better than the released versions like on "Mississippi") and just plain miscellany. Tops here on this 27 track are that above-mentioned "Mississippi", a very nice alternate version of "Most Of The Time" from that breakthrough "Oh, Mercy" album of 1989, alternate second versions of "Dignity" and an incredible take on old bluesman Charley Patton's "High Water".

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Not a jukebox, always improvising
What is fascinating to people (or ONE of the things. ) about Bob Dylan's music is that many album versions of songs aren't any better or in certain cases are arguably inferior to alternative recordings. I read a review in which this was discussed and the late Dylan masterpiece "Mississippi" was mentioned. Perfect example! Dylan recorded multiple versions in the late '90s. They're all great. The version released on "Love and Theft" may not be the "best" let alone definitive. This is why the bootleg series is absolutely as important as any of the albums by this truly brilliant and fascinating musical improviser. Btw, I do prefer the "Mississippi" on disc 2 of the bootleg. .

WIsh his concerts were as good!
The "Never Ending Recordings" edition. Great collection. Some people feel he's not the best singer, but his interpretation here is great.

Essential
I think the best way to critique this album is to individually review each track. After much anticipation, we can finally listen to "Tell Tale Signs".

Disc: 1

1. Mississippi 6:04 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind)
A great opener to a phenomenal album! Spare and rolling describes Bob Dylan's version of "Mississippi" from the forthcoming "Tell Tale Signs" album. I love Dylan's guitar playing on this track and his delivery is spot on as he narrates the lyrics. The percussion is spare and accentuates the song perfectly. I could almost imagine this song being performed on a small stage or on a porch in the deep south because of the atmosphere it conjures.

This version sounds more like the country gentleman than the recorded version from "Love and Theft. " Both versions are stellar, but this one seems a little more pure and natural.

2. Most of the Time 3:46 (Alternate version, Oh Mercy)
The harmonica accompaniment is definitely welcome and although this version sounds like a run through, Dylan's vocals and guitar playing sound great! The tone on the acoustic guitar is warmer than the version from "Oh Mercy. "

3. Dignity 2:09 (Piano demo, Oh Mercy)
Another run through, interesting to hear Bob play a piano that sounds so spare.

4. Someday Baby 5:56 (Alternate version, Modern Times)
The build up on this track is pronounced and the jitterbug sound has been completely removed making this song sound more like a statement than a jam. This version sounds like a better fit for "Time Out of Mind" than "Modern Times" and sounds so foreign to my ears.

Throughout the track, the drumming is perfect as it shuffles along, and I think Dylan chuckles during the last verse. Inclusion of this track is interesting to see how the final product was so dramatically different.

5. Red River Shore 7:36 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind)
A story song with a traditional narrative told about lost love reinterpreted from the Kingston Trio. A song rooted in zydeco, while complex, would not have fit in with the dark tones of "Time Out of Mind. " This song sounds like an orphan that was just waiting for a proper release.

6. Tell Ol' Bill 5:31 (Alternate version, North Country soundtrack)
Swinging, dark and brooding. This sounds like a cousin to "Things Have Changed" and is completely awesome. This vengeful song paints such a grim image to the songs that have preceded it on this album. The barroom piano and guitar interplay are top notch in this wintry stunner.

7. Born in Time 4:10 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy)
This song contains ruminations on a love that might have been lost. Competent playing although the production shows its age. This song is not one of my favorites, but it is not a terrible song. I'm hesitant to say that it reminds me of a coffee advert or late-period Eric Clapton, but I can't get either image out of my head.

8. Can't Wait 5:45 (Alternate version, Time Out of Mind)
Early run through of "Can't Wait. " This version sounds like they're working out ideas in the studio. The band doesn't sound as confident on this version and sound restricted.

9. Everything is Broken 3:27 (Alternate version, Oh Mercy)
Why do I feel like Lanois was the naysayer when he produced Dylan's albums? I have a feeling that if Dylan had produced "Oh Mercy" it would have been a little less staid. Dylan cuts loose with his vocals and the band follows suit.

10. Dreamin' of You 6:23 (Unreleased, Time Out Of Mind)
After listening to this track several times, and looking at the lyrics, this song seems to be a compilation of ideas that would eventually form the songs, Can't Wait, Standin' In the Doorway and thematically Cold Iron's Bound. Those elements alone seem to have produced three good songs, but when crammed together in one song, it seems like an overload.

Dylan's delivery seems off in this song as well. I can't put my finger on it now, but his delivery seems a little schmaltzy. There's no menace in the music, but lyrically the song is pretty deep. There is an organ in the song that seems out of place while a noodly guitar keeps playing the same riff all the while sounding more and more boring. The song feels strained by all of these elements and collapses on itself.

11. Huck's Tune 4:09 (From Lucky You soundtrack)
Elegiac tune about a love gone wrong played as a country waltz with allusions to Moon River. This song is possibly the best thing about the "Lucky You" soundtrack, a solid track.

12. Marchin' to the City 6:36 (Unreleased, Time Out of Mind)
A gospel tinged compilation of ideas from "Time Out of Mind" I love the organ playing in the track as it silhouettes the guitar. Ends with Dylan proclaiming, "I don't know. . . " before fading off.

13. High Water (For Charley Patton) 6:40 (Live, August 23, 2003, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)
This is a great live take of this track. Dylan's delivery is razor sharp and the band sound tight. The guitar work is outstanding. I saw them on this tour, and I can attest that this touring band is greatly missed.

Disc: 2

1. Mississippi 6:24 (Unreleased version #2, Time Out of Mind)
A shuffling version of "Mississippi" that sounds a little more deliberate than the released version. Dylan is at his most articulate on this performance. The banjo seems like a forced accompaniment to add southern authenticity to this song. The playing on this sounds taut and not as carefree as the other versions.

2. 32-20 Blues 4:22 (Unreleased, World Gone Wrong)
Dylan's take on the Robert Johnson classic which proves worthy of the original recording. Dylan's spare delivery is honest and original.

3. Series of Dreams 6:27 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy)
An alternate take from "Oh Mercy". This version is a little more loose sounding and janglier. This version removes some of the Lanois gauze that was applied to the track.

4. God Knows 3:12 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy)
Upbeat, but the sentiment sounds dated like a motivational poster from the late 1980's. Again, not one of my favorites, the guitar is a little too U2-like in this track.

5. Can't Escape from You 5:22 (Unreleased, December 2005)
Somber and graceful. The organ is churchlike and stately. The lyrics evoke an outtake from "Time Out of Mind".

6. Dignity 5:25 (Unreleased, Oh Mercy)
A very rubbery reverb drenched version of "Dignity. " This version captures a more upbeat vibe than the released version. The band sounds loose and carefree.

7. Ring Them Bells 4:59 (Live at The Supper Club, November 17, 1993, New York, NY)
Outstanding live version of this track. The guitar/slide tone is goose bump inducing. This entire concert needs to be given an official release as one track seems like a tease!

8. Cocaine Blues 5:30 (Live, August 24, 1997, Vienna, VA)
A stellar live recording featuring one of Dylan's better touring bands. Dylan and Tony Garnier's vocals are tremendous. Bucky Baxter's pedal steel is definitely worth noting and sadly is missed from Dylan's touring band. Sublime.

9. Ain't Talkin' 6:13 (Alternate version, Modern Times)
This version is concise and effective. The guitar tone and production are solid on this truncated version.

10. The Girl on the Greenbriar Shore 2:51 (Live, June 30, 1992,Dunkerque, France)
Great live take on this traditional song.

11. Lonesome Day Blues 7:37 (Live, February 1, 2002, Sunrise, FL)
Playing with a band that is as hot as Florida, Dylan delivers the goods on this live take. Dylan's guitar playing is sorely missed from his recent performances.

12. Miss the Mississippi 3:20 (Unreleased, 1992)
Dylan's heartfelt recording of the Jimmie Rodgers classic.

13. The Lonesome River 3:04 (With Ralph Stanley, from the album Clinch Mountain Country)
Bob performs excellently with the Dr. on this bluegrass standard. A great duet.

14. `Cross the Green Mountain 8:15 (From Gods and Generals Soundtrack)
This orphaned song is a fitting closer to this bootleg series. The best thing about the Gods and Generals Soundtrack was this elegiac track.

This bootleg volume proves itself to be just as essential as the rest. It offers an exclusive look into the music of Bob Dylan during the late 80's until the present. If only they would release some of the early nineties live performances in their entirety, as those are completely necessary.

Highest Recommendation.

a tale from the dark ages
the meaning of a cd, its concept usually follows the name the title the artist gives his cd. its amazing to me that all the reviews never mention dylans meaning. here tell tale signs is exactly that. the signs of our modern times are telling a tale. dylan is a real christian, a spiritual man in a waste howling wilderness of a world gone wrong. he literally believes a spiritual book called gods word the bible. now in that holy word christ said when you see these signs know that the end of time has just begun. wars earthquakes famine nation against nation mans love growing cold know that my return is at hand. so the tell tale signs to a spiritual man are evident. most of the songs not all are about his love relationship with the lord. dylan praise god has been given a gift from god to write and sing glorifing songs to the lord. david the psalmist did the same. i speak with great respect and humility and say that dylan is really for our modern times another david writig psalms along still waters. he is a blessing sent of god for a spirtual mans understanding and godly pleasure. his words have no truthful meaning for the modern dark ages. for instance cant escape from you/what does that mean. it seems on the surface to suggest that dylan is hopelessly in love with a women who long since has left him. but in the book of psalms david states if he could go as fast as light itself from one end of the earth to the other god would be there. if he made his bed in hell the grave god would be there too. hence david cant escape from you/ god. god as a spirit is everywhere. omnipresent. isnt it a pity we cant escape the justice and judgement of god especially when he returns. just to prove the point i will stay with this one song. dylan states he hears the sound of thunder roaring loud and long, sometimes youve got to wonder god knows ive done no wrong. when the law was given on mt. sinai there was thuder and earthquakes lightning and fear from the people and even moses himself. now no one keeps the law and all are condemned for breaking it. this being the wrath of god. now dylan hears spiritually this thunder. how/ BECAUSR THE WRATH OF GOD is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinee/ sin. it is revealed in punishment like wars,tidal waves, hurricanes etc. so thats the tell tale sign the sound of thunder dylan hears. now its been roaring loud and long since the beginning. now dylan wonders if the wrath of god is upon him. but dylan has real faith agift from god and so he reads that promise that god has not appointed us/the elect of god to wrath, but to the saving of the soul. but he says god knows ive done no wrong. now dylan knows hes done plenty of wrong. hes bit into the root of forbidden fruit just like adam and eve. but god states we have been justified from all sin through the work of christ. no sin no wrong no wrong no wrath. even though dylan knows hes a sinner he with that faith he believes what god says and not his accusing conscience. hence god knows ive done no wrong. i just wanted to give one example of mostly all the word meaning to mostly all his songs on tell tale signs. if im allowed ill write more another time . but to prove to you that his meanings are all godward ill leave off with this. the beginning of the song states as follows/ the evening train is rolling all along the homeward way. the evening train is the true church. its moving from thisworld to heaven but its still in the world by the fact thats its evening/ its not dark yet in this world but its gettin there. all my hopes are over the horizon is obvious. all my dreams have gone astray. the lords will which is perfect dashes our silly natural temporal plans for the glory of god. the hillside darkly shaded. the hill is mt. zion where the lord and his people are congregated on this earth. thats why its darkly shaded. theres no light of god in the world and the true church is hidden from the big fake hypocritical ones. stars fall from the sky. jimmy swaggert, haggard etc. all the joys of earth have faded. love not the world,if u be risen with christ seek those things that are above. but the night untouched my love. all the pain darkness emptiness isolation aloneness suffering fotr christ/dylan still loves his lord. ill stop here but i just wanted to show that the game is the same its just on another level. dylan is a spiritual man who is apilgrim an alien a foreigner to this planet. dont get up gentlemen im just passing thru.

You can see a complete list of all Bob Dylan discography, or go back to the Bob Dylan tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.