Fragments - Time Out Of Mind Sessions (1996-1997): The Bootleg Series Vol. 17

Bob Dylan is my favourite recording artist and Daniel Lanois has produced some of my favourite albums, but Time Out Of Mind was never my Bob Dylan favourite album, despite having some great new (in 1997) writing on it. I felt that his voice, which was at one of it's least easy on the ears stages in the mid-1990s, was being propped up, or glossed over, by the production. The 5CD Fragments contains a new remix of the entire album which presents Time Out Of Mind with a more 'natural' sound. It still sounds like a Lanois production but some of the more processed sounds are reduced to give a more 'live in the studio' feel. Personally speaking, this is definitely now my preferred version. Disc 4 contains live versions from the years 1998-2001 - I love live Dylan but for this period, I'm primarily interested in studio recordings, but the sound quality of these recordings seems underwhelming on first listen. I don't know if they're entirely audience recordings or a combination of sources but I would have far preferred professionally recorded versions. However, the outtakes and alternate versions on discs 2,3 and 4 are so good that the box is still a 5 star purchase. Disc 5 has all the Time Out Of Mind tracks from the deluxe Tell Tale Signs, Bootleg Series 8 (2008) and has the amazing first takes of Mississippi, Can't Wait, Marching To The City and others. My only criticism of these selections on this box is they could have been interspersed with the new outtakes, making discs 2-4 all outtakes in chronological order, although this sequencing can be done easily in a digital music library with a bit of research. Discs 2 and 3 have one of the most listenable selections of outtakes of any Bootleg Series. The early takes typically have more bounce and swing than those on the album and some have entire sections - verses, lyrics, melodies - that were dropped. This makes for a really fascinating and rewarding listen as you not only trace the evolution of the songs but can decide whether you prefer the album as released or as a more upbeat version. For those that enjoy that sort of thing, there are now at least 4 versions of the album to configure and compare: the original release, the remix, the live version and the outtake version. The previous Bootleg Series, Springtime in New York, suffered from focusing on too wide a time period as well as running too short. These archival boxes cost over £100 and the producers are compiling them from hours and hours of unreleased material - there simply isn't any excuse to release a 40 minute disc of Shot of Love outtakes, which Springtime does, when there are EASILY another 40 minutes left unreleased. This set gets it right, consisting as it does of well over 60 minute discs but it also has more impact focussing on one album. At a push, it could have been a 4 disc set without the live material and still been as good, that shows how good the unreleased tracks are. More like this please - Love & Theft next?

It’s great, another Bootleg series, long may it continue. Now why I like it is because it give you an insight into the song’s beginnings though to the recording, alternative takes and live versions which help to create a bigger picture. As a confirmed ‘Bob fanatic’ from the very early days and the very first album this set is a must for all Bob fans. You will hear the same songs but differently.

I wasn’t going to buy this, the 17th album in Bob’s bootleg series. The 5 CD version was over £100, and of the 5 CD’s one is a remix of the Time Out of Mind album, one is not new and was previously included in Tell Tale Signs, and one CD is live. That left two CD’s worth of out takes and alternate versions. The 2CD version, one of which is the remixed album, was selling at £25 which again is steep for a double CD album. And then I saw the 5 CD digital version for just under £18 on Amazon Music. That I thought was more affordable and better value, so I took the plunge and bought it. It turned out to be a smart decision. The remix is superb, it’s so alive and vibrant. All the instruments are clear and sharp, even Bob’s vocals seem more invigorated, there’s more clarity all around. It has breathed fresh life into what is one of my favourite latter day Dylan albums (the original is still a superb album). The out takes too are interesting, although the version 1 songs more so than some of the 2nd versions. There is minimal difference between some of these and the final album version. Of the out takes, Dreaming of You, The Water is Wide and Red River Shore are stand out songs. The live album is interesting but not to the standard of Trouble No More, the songs on that album are incendiary. Although the band here is solid, the live songs also differ from the album versions, Love Sick for example really rocks. And the final Tell Tale Signs disc, well I can see why it’s here it adds a piece to the journey of the songs on Time Out of Mind. So in conclusion, I am glad I bought it, it offers more than I thought, although the inclusion of CD 5 is annoying if you bought the deluxe Tell Tale Signs. The digital version saved me a lot of money, but I do miss the physical CD’s and more importantly the booklets, a digital booklet would have been handy.

Great price for a fabulous album.

Let me start by saying I love it as you would expect a Bobcat. I look forward to every new release from his Bobness and never hugely disappointed and find the Bootleg Series fascinating and never less than interesting! This release is no exception! However, I share comments made by fellow Bobcats that it takes the shine away from the outstanding Volume 8 de-luxe. I remember being disgusted about the difference in price between the 2 CD version 8 to the 3 CD and the marketing of it as a small limited release! As this Volume 17 includes all the tracks on Disc 3 version from De-luxe vol 8 and this release is also at an extortionate price. Yes I can fully understand Bobcats feeling disappointed about being ripped off! I would love to know what Bob thinks (As he appears to really care about his true fans who buy his releases and come to see his shows and respect his privacy). I really love the original album remix and all the out-takes ! I do love the live CD, but it does sound a typical bootleg listeningto the clapping as it sounds like particularly at the beginning of Not Dark Yet that it was recorded by a member of the audience and not professionally! I still love it and thank Bob for the gifts this remarkable icon has given us for sixty years! Bob you are a true one off and thank you is not enough!

An amazing Bob Dylan bootleg series release that focuses on the Time Out Of Mind period. Featuring many stunning variants that in some cases supersede the original album versions. Highly recommended!!

Little to add to the positive reviews simply to say this is one of Dylan's best collections, some great outtakes and alternative takes on some already great songs.

Great stuff from Bob!