Springtime in New York: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 16 (1980-1985)

by Bob Dylan

Overview

If Bob Dylan's Bootleg series of archival releases -- now in its fourth decade -- has taught fans anything, it's that preconceived notions about his catalog are often proven erroneous. Entries such as Vol. 10: Another Self Portrait (1969-1971) and Vol. 13: Trouble No More 1979-1981 offered substantive counterarguments for the criticism the source albums received. Vol. 16: Springtime in New York 1980-1985 begins with the thoroughly slagged final outing in his Christian trilogy, Shot of Love (1981), and continues through the more warmly greeted albums Infidels (1983) and Empire Burlesque (1985). It reveals the many musical directions Dylan was traveling in simultaneously. Over 57 tracks and five discs, his sometimes radical experimentation with musicians (Sly & Robbie served as the rhythm section on Infidels), material, and production styles posits that he was seeking a way forward not out of restlessness but because he was lost -- he would release the execrable Knocked Out Loaded and Down in the Groove over the next few years. The songs leading to and from Shot of Love are represented on the first two discs. There's a stellar rehearsal version of "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)," and a supercharged Bo Diddley-esque "Jesus Met the Woman at the Well." the scorching garage rocker "Borrowed Time" was created on the spot. There are many covers too. Dylan delivers the yacht rock hit "This Night Won't Last Forever" without irony, as well as Hank Williams' "Cold Cold Heart," a fine read of the Temptations' "I Wish It Would Rain," a swampy "Mystery Train," and an awful "Sweet Caroline." Discs three and four showcase material from the Infidels sessions. There's a (different) gospel-infused read of "Blind Willie McTell" and an alternate mix of "Jokerman" with a prophetic vocal that brings Mark Knopfler's and Mick Taylor's guitars way up front. After two versions of "Too Late," we get a third in the ragged blues "Foot of Pride." Outtakes of "Don't Fall Apart on Me Tonight" and "I and I" are superior to the album takes. The Empire Burlesque material offers "Enough Is Enough," penned on tour and performed only three times, and a Late Night with David Letterman performance of "License to Kill" with the Plugz. There is also a loose, soulful alternate version of "Tight Connection to My Heart." The squalling, shambolic garage rocker "Straight A's in Love" was previously unissued. One of the two versions of "When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky" contains a disco beat in a rocking context. The 12-minute "New Danville Girl" is fantastic, but eventually became the inferior "Brownsville Girl." Closer "Dark Eyes" (an alternate take) was composed because producer Arthur Baker wanted an acoustic track. Springtime in New York was curated and produced by Jeff Rosen and Steve Berkowitz. They went beyond the call of duty in sonic clarity, warmth, and selection; further, Damien Love's liner notes are detailed, authoritative, and wonderfully enthusiastic. Whether Shot of Love warrants deeper appreciation now is debatable, but this box set wonderfully showcases Dylan's lengthy, complex creative journey that only got rockier as the decade wore on. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	09/17/2021
Label:	Sony Music
UPC:	0194398657912

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bob Dylan   Primary Artist,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica
Willie Smith   Keyboards
Richard Seher   Synthesizer
Howie Epstein   Bass
Carolyn Dennis   Handclapping,Vocals (Background)
Carl Sealove   Bass
Madelyn Quebec   Handclapping,Vocals (Background)
Sly Dunbar   Drums
Steve Ripley   Guitar
Ian McLagan   Keyboards
Colin Allen   Drums
Ira Ingber   Guitar
Clydie King   Vocals,Handclapping,Vocals (Background)
Bashiri Johnson   Synthesizer
Don Heffington   Drums
Vince Melamed   Keyboards
Robbie Shakespeare   Bass
Regina McCrary   Vocals (Background)
Peggi Blu   Vocals (Background)
Ron Wood   Guitar
Queen Esther Marrow   Vocals (Background)
Mike Campbell   Guitar
Mick Taylor   Guitar
Tim Drummond   Bass
Alan Clark   Keyboards
Danny Kortchmar   Guitar
Benmont Tench   Keyboards
Greg Sutton   Bass
Jon Paris   Bass
Mark Knopfler   Guitar
Sammy Figueroa   Percussion
Jim Keltner   Drums,Percussion
Fred Tackett   Guitar
Anton Fig   Drums
Steve Douglas   Saxophone
Ryan Hedgecock   Guitar
Carl Pickhardt   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Jeff Friedman   Tape Research
Andreas Meyer   Digital Transfers
Kevin Przybylowski   Digital Transfers
Dana Bisbee   Engineer
Jeroen Van Der Meer   Product Manager
Damien Love   Liner Notes
Cliff Goodloe   Digital Transfers
Greg Tutko   Engineer
Mark Wilder   Mixing,Mastering
Bob Dylan   Composer,Producer
Chuck Plotkin   Producer
Frank Dickinson   Engineer
Jeff Rosen   Producer
Josh Abbey   Engineer
Kelly Pribble   Digital Transfers
Toby Scott   Engineer
Steve Addabbo   Mixing,Mastering
Chris Shaw   Mixing,Mastering
Mark Knopfler   Producer
Sam Shepard   Composer
Keith Blake   Digital Transfers
Neil Dorfsman   Engineer
Chris Landen   Digital Transfers
Judy Feltus   Engineer
Geoff Gans   Design,Art Direction
Eliot Kissileff   Digital Transfers
Glenn Korman   Tape Research
Arthur Rosato   Engineer
Steve Berkowitz   Producer
Parker Fishel   Production Coordination