An essential deep dive into Dylan’s vast archive of unreleased material, spanning three decades of his career. Released in 1991, this 5-LP set was the first instalment of The Bootleg Series, which has since become one of the most celebrated archival projects in popular music.

This collection presents 58 tracks that, for the most part, had never been officially released before, offering a fascinating alternative history of Dylan’s evolution as a songwriter and performer. It includes early home recordings, outtakes from his classic albums, alternate versions, and lost gems that never made it onto any of his studio records.

This set shattered the myth that Dylan’s unreleased songs were merely leftovers. Many of these tracks rival his best album cuts, and some—like “Blind Willie McTell” and “Up to Me”—are often considered among his finest works. It also cemented Dylan as a master of reinvention, with alternate takes often showcasing different lyrical or melodic directions.

For Dylan fans, The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3 is indispensable. It offers a treasure trove of alternate history, filled with songs that could have reshaped his albums had they been included. If you love Dylan’s ability to surprise, mystify, and move you, this collection is a must-listen.

Highlights

Disc 1 (1961-1966): Covers Dylan’s early folk years through the Blonde on Blonde era. Highlights include “Hard Times in New York Town” (a charming early recording), the haunting “Let Me Die in My Footsteps” (a brilliant Freewheelin’-era protest song that never saw the light of day), and the original take of “Mama, You Been on My Mind,” a song covered by countless artists but never officially released by Dylan until this set.

Disc 2 (1967-1973): Moves into his Basement Tapes, Nashville Skyline, and Blood on the Tracks years. The sparse, piano-driven “I Shall Be Released” is mesmerizing, and an alternate take of “Tangled Up in Blue” offers a radically different feel from the Blood on the Tracks version. “Up to Me,” another Blood on the Tracks-era outtake, is one of Dylan’s most heartbreaking lost masterpieces.

Disc 3 (1974-1989): Spans from Desire through the '80s, an era of ups and downs for Dylan. The stripped-down version of “Blind Willie McTell” (cut from Infidels for reasons beyond comprehension) is one of his greatest performances ever. “Foot of Pride” is another fascinating Infidels outtake, showing how different his vision for the album could have been. The later years are less revelatory, though “Series of Dreams,” an ethereal Oh Mercy-era track, remains a stunning closer.

Features:

• 5LP Set
• Includes the original 1991 release across five LPs!
• Packaged in a slipcase with a 36-page booklet