In 1967 Bob Dylan & The Band recorded dozens of songs in the basement of the house “Big Pink” near Woodstock. Among the many great tracks the sessions brought us all-time classics such as “The Wheel’s On Fire”, “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” or “Tears Of Rage”. Since most of the sessions’ outcome never had been officially released – only a selection of songs ended up on “The Basement Tapes” in 1974, the first legendary Rock Bootleg recording was born. It was called “Great White Wonder” because of the white sleeve and it was released in 1969. If you are interested in the story, you should read the book “The Great White Wonders: The Story of Rock Bootlegs” by Dylan-biographer Clinton Heylin.
Positively-BobDylan.com visitor Chris was lucky enough to purchase a rare copy of an original test pressing from a former Baltimore record store owner, who got it from somebody who once brought in a box of LPs to sell in 1988. According to Chris the set includes three extra tracks of earlier solo outtakes. The labels have instructions such as: “Property of John Hammond” and some explanations of origin, etc. It even says that the recording were “too raw” and that the singer “shows promise”(!). It has a signature on one label. 2LP 33rpm Mono and Stereo.
The pictures to this posting are original photographies made by the current owner especially for this purpose. I guess what Chris has got here is a very rare collector’s item, if not a one-of-a-kind internal copy for Columbia records. And feedback regarding the item or similar other copies that you know of is very much appreciated. Please post your comments below. Thanks!
Love – zero and It’s All Over Now Baby Blue “too raw”? Looks like a bootleg with a fake columbia label to me. -DCB
This is a strange combination of songs. I would love to get a copy of this! I have much to trade. Please feel free to share my email with the owner. Thank you.
I think this is bogus too; Hammond wasn’t producing Dylan at this time and Dylan decided what was released, not anyone else. “Vocalist showing some promise” ? C’mon. Looks like one of those Italian fake acetates to me.
I agree with Jeff – the contradictions on that label are just too many. I have several examples of what I think are fakes with Columbia Studios Nashville labels on my web-site on the “Questionable” page.
http://www.searchingforagem.com/Misc/Questionable.htm
Hi all- I’m the owner of this piece. I have since talked to John Tefteller about these discs. He believes they are bootlegs. Though he said he hadn’t seen these before.
Info: They aren’t acetates. They are what look like period vinyl pressings. Held it up next to a stock copy of another Columbia pressing and they’re identical. No trail-off etchings, though. Just a 3 digit stamp. The sound is not very good. A couple are obviously from an old tape. I agree that they are likely bootlegs. I never intended to represent this as an original, I was just curious to see what Mr. Hobo had to say. I’ve had them for years and I was just curious. Thanks everybody! -Chris
Interesting to read that “Blood on the Tracks” is being studied in a number of schools.
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2010/april/Bob-Dylan-Album–Has-Classroom-Significance–35-Years-Later.html