Bob Dylan

Springtime in New York
The Bootleg Series Volume 16 (1980-1985) (2021)

Sampler

 

Disc One
 1. Angelina
 2. Need a Woman
 3. Let's Keep it Betweenb Us
 4. Price of Love
 5. Don't ever Take Yourself Away
 6. Fur Slippers
 7. Yes Sir, No Sir
 8. Jokerman
 9. Lord Protect My Child
 10.Blind Willie McTell
 11.Don't Fall Apart on Me Tonight
 12.Neighborhood Bully
 13.Too Late
 
Disc Two
 1. Foot of Pride
 2. Sweetheart Like You
 3. Someone's Got a Hold of My Heart
 4. I and I
 5. Tell Me
 6. Enough is Enough
 7. Tight Connection to My Heart
 8. Seeing the Real You at Last
 9. Emotially Yours
 10.Clean Cut Kid
 11.New Danville Girl
 12.Dark Eyes
 
  
  

So I guess the plan is to put one of these massive compilations out for every phase of Dylan's career. Whereas the completist may rejoice, the rest must ponder whether or not this is actually a good thing. For the most part, the 1980s were a low point for Dylan. This record covers outtakes from A Shot of Love, Infidels, and Empire Burlesque. Infidels was actually pretty decent, but the other two were pretty low in terms of ranking of quality among Dylan's output. Sadly, even the songs from the Infidels sessions are pretty bad. In fact, this thing really is rather unlistenable.

Although I don't mention in the track listing, everything here is alternate takes, outtakes, and an occassioanl live recording. I simply couldn't devote my time to typing all of that for this forgettable piece of work. As much as I love Dylan, I think it's safe to say that the vaults have probably been exhausted, and we really don't need any more of this.