Bob Dylan has released nearly two thousand songs in his nearly 60-year career. So, even if you are the most devout Dylan fan on Earth, there is still a low likelihood that you have listened to every single one of his songs. That being so, Dylan’s catalog is not only expansive, it’s also incredibly assorted and obtains music that one wouldn’t even believe Dylan made.
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Between being a folk-singing activist and an ’80s rock ‘n’ roller, Dylan has reimagined himself countless times. Thus, his music has been reimagined countless times. It’s impossible to keep up with him, as the man is seemingly always one step ahead. However, don’t fret, as we are here to provide you with three Dylan songs you may not have heard before.
“Last Thoughts on Woody”
It’s common knowledge that Dylan’s affinity for and relationship with Woody Guthrie was imperative to his career. As a result of his fondness for Guthrie, Dylan released numerous tunes honoring the late great songwriter. However, one that is often overlooked is not even a song. Rather, it is a spoken word poem Dylan wrote for a book about Woody Guthrie.
Recorded Live at Town Hall, New York, NY in April 1963, Dylan rhythmically reads a seven-minute poem about his greatest influence. Subsequently, the poem was released on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991 in 1991. Not only an insight into Dylan’s love for Guthrie but also a piece of art that shows a completely different facet of Bob Dylan’s artistic wheelhouse.
“Rocks and Gravel”
If you are a fan of True Detective season one, you might have heard this song before. Featured in the pilot episode of the show, Dylan’s performance of the song comes from the rare album, Bob Dylan Finjan Club (Live, 1962). Released in 1962, the live album features other songs such as “Blowin’ In The Wind” and “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Caroll.”
Regardless, “Rocks and Gravel” seemingly appears in only two places—On Dylan’s live recording and in the pilot of True Detective. That said, only true Dylan fans know of its existence and where it resides. In essence, it is a marvelously rare song encompassing Bob Dylan’s earlier folks singing days.
“Hero Blues”
Appearing solely on The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos: 1962–1964, this Dylan song is a demo that never made the final cut. Reportedly recorded for his first two publishing companies, Leeds Music and M. Witmark & Sons, “Hero Blues” is one of the rawest and most minimalistic produced Dylan songs out there.
Released by Columbia Records in 2010, the song features Dylan’s nasally voice, imperfect guitar, screaming harmonica, and the occasional piano accompaniment. The recording gives unfiltered a whole new meaning, as the song’s blemishes are what make it a Bob Dylan artifact for the ages.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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