Tag Archives: Self Portrait

Video/ Audio: One Year Ago Bob Dylan Released A Masterpiece, ‘Another Self Portrait’

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A year ago, on August 26 in Europe, and on August 27 in the U.S., a masterpiece comprised of recordings Bob Dylan made in 1969, 1970 and 1971 was released.

It was such a joy to hear the songs on Another Self Portrait, (1969-1971) – The Bootleg Series Vol. 10, which included an amazing version of the old folk song, “Pretty Saro,” wonderful demos of “I Went To See The Gypsy” and “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” and so many more.

While I always liked the original Self Portrait, Another Self Portrait is the better album. Of the songs that appeared on Self Portrait, for Another Self Portrait the Nashville overdubs were removed. Overall, what we get are much more intimate versions of those songs, plus many songs that Dylan chose not to release on Self Portrait. Plus a previously unreleased (officially, anyway) ‘Basement Tapes’ gem, “Minstrel Boy.”

But really, we don’t have to choose between those albums, as they both now exist.

I wrote a lengthy review of Another Self Portrait which you can read here.

For me, “Pretty Saro” remains the standout track because of both how Dylan’s voice sounds, and the way he sings the song.

“Pretty Saro”:

Below is a very cool 11 minute mini-documentary on the making of Another Self Portrait. If you haven’t yet seen it, now is the time.

Bob Dylan – Another Self Portrait Documentary Short from Columbia Records on Vimeo.

Here’s a Spotify sampling from Another Self Portrait:

Or listen to the entire deluxe version of the album including the Isle of Wight live tracks here.

And here’s the original Self Portrait:

[I just published my rock ‘n’ roll novel, True Love Scars.” I’ve got a Goodreads. book giveaway going right now. Click here and enter.]

— A Days Of The Crazy-Wild blog post —

Video: 11 Minute Making of ‘Another Self Portrait’ Mini-Documentary Plus ‘When I Paint My Masterpiece,’ ‘Pretty Saro’ & All The Rest

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Forty-four years ago, on June 8, 1970, Bob Dylan’s most controversial album, Self Portrait, was released.

At the time the album was almost universally disliked by rock critics.

The album found Dylan covering an eclectic group of songs. Most were covers. A few were live versions of older songs. And there were three new songs — surprisingly Dylan didn’t even sing on one of them.

I was 17 when I got the album. I loved it. This was Dylan doing something new and different.

My mind was open. Dylan was going through changes and this two-record set was how he chose to express himself.

I published a rock magazine, Hard Road, that summer of 1970, and I wrote a review of Self Portrait.

It began like this:

“All the tired horses in the sun, how am I supposed to get any writing done?”

That may well be the theme for the new Dylan album. An album of few new Dylan compositions but many new surprises anyway. Self Portrait is a cumulation of nine years of recording. From the simple structure of the first Dylan album through the complexities of Blonde On Blonde, and back to the country melodies of Nashville Skyline. It’s all documented here for your listening pleasure. It’s an album abut Bob Dlan, poet, folk singer, folk-rock originator and rock and roll star.

Last year saw the release of Another Self Portrait.

That album, which includes alternative takes and unreleased songs from Nashville Skyline, Self Portrait, and New Morning plus a few others, is a completely different album than Self Portrait. An even better album.

Below is a very cool 11 minute mini-documentary on the making of Another Self Portrait. If you haven’t yet seen it, now is the time.

Bob Dylan – Another Self Portrait Documentary Short from Columbia Records on Vimeo.

Here’s a Spotify sampling from Another Self Portrait:

Or listen to the entire deluxe version of the album including the Isle of Wight live tracks here.

And here’s the original Self Portrait:

By the way you might want to check out the “True Love Scars” soundtrack playlist here. It’s the music that goes with the first two chapters of my novel.

–- A Days of the Crazy-Wild blog post: sounds, visuals and/or news –