The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989-2006

Bob Dylan

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2008)
• Original Release Date: October 7, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B001EGS5AG
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,299 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Bob Dylan's Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8 is the 8th installment in the best-selling and critically lauded Bootleg Series which launched in 1991 which was released by Columbia Records in October and is now available for the first time as a one disc package. A treasure-trove of 13 songs, Tell Tale Signs features previously unreleased recordings and alternate versions of tracks from sessions which generated some of Bob Dylan's most acclaimed and commercially successful albums from the last two decades, including Time Out Of Mind, Modern Times and Oh Mercy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real Dylan, November 17, 2008

By	JOHNEC (Jamestown, ND USA) - See all my reviews

I haven't liked the last couple of Dylan releases. I know the critics loved them--some of his best reviews ever---but...don't they sound different? The structures are predictable -I am not sure where the lyrics come from but most songs sound very odd to my seasoned "Dylan Ear". But this recording feels like Dylan. His voice isn't as postured and the band sounds relaxed. The first disc is Dylan at his best and the second has it's moments but... The slow blues numbers are classic and the band shines. The alternate versions of several songs show us his genius and pay attention to how he nails each take vocally. Who says he can't sing. A must for Dylan fans. I have a lingering thought that maybe the best Dylan we will hear from now on will be from alternate versions of songs from past records. I really hope I am very wrong.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't Buy This Album!, December 19, 2008

By	Robert A. Alps (Evanston, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If the listing for this item is correct, then I would highly recommend not buying it. The listing shows one disc from the Bootleg Series Vol. 8. It was already unclear how many discs belong to that volume because of the fact that the "regular" release had 2 discs and the "Special Edition" had 3 discs but cost $100 more!! This appears to be disc 1 from either of the other two sets. Why pay $12 for this when $17 gets you 2 discs. I rated this 4 stars because the music is absolutely that good. In fact, the only reason I did not put 5 stars was because of the odd configuration. By all means get some version of this, if only to hear Red River Shore.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dylan's Archaic Music, February 20, 2009

By	Chris Bruce (Pullman, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a hugely satisfying album, and is essential for anyone who loves the music of Bob Dylan. It has a deep, rich sound that is timeless - "archaic," if you will. Even more amazing, given that it is a compilation album spanning many years, it feels whole, fully-formed. This is undoubtedly due to Jeff Rosen's long, sympathetic relationship with Dylan. The booklet's liner notes are quite good, and their anecdotes, along with the combination of unreleased music and the variety of photographs in the booklet suggest a new kind of vulnerability from behind the mask of this unique artist. The many songs produced in association with Daniel Lanois make it a wonderful companion to the second half of Dylan's memoir, Chronicles.