'Blonde on Blonde'--the Alternate Version
Many loved my little-heard "Highway 61" alt-takes so here we go Bobbing again.
Greg Mitchell is the author of more than a dozen books including “The Tunnels” “Tricky Dick and the Pink Lady” and “The Campaign of the Century” and now writer/director of three award-winning films aired via PBS, including “Atomic Cover-up” and “Memorial Day Massacre.” Watch the trailer for his new film “The Atomic Bowl: Football at Ground Zero—and Nuclear Peril Today.” You can still subscribe to this newsletter for free:
A few weeks back, I presented the entire Dylan classic “Highway 61 Revisited” from 1965—still the greatest album by anyone, in my view—in the same running order but with only alt-take versions. It proved so popular here, I will now offer the same for his followup “Blonde on Blonde,” but because it is a double album I will happily omit some of its weaker tracks. Perhaps this is a public service—to take your mind off the tragedy in D.C. tomorrow….When he goes his way and you go yours, one hopes.
But first: Have long enjoyed the fact that at one of Dylan’s first sessions in NYC backing up another artist, in this case Carolyn Hester, they were supported by a top bass player, Bill Lee: soon to be father of a certain Spike.
Platinum “Blonde”
Yes, Bob tried a rocking version of “Visions of Johanna” before wisely opting for the quieter haunting album cut.
It stiffed as a single, released before the album came out (I bought it) yet somehow remains one of his most overlooked great songs. “One of Us Must Know” here with a different vocal and even more organ.
You may enjoy this radically different rehearsal effort of same. Dylan cuts it off saying, “I need to go home.”
An alternate for “I Want You,” which did become a hit single.
And a wonderful rehearsal track of same:
As with “Visions of Johanna” he tried an upbeat version of “Just Like a Woman” but happily discarded the idea.
Well, why not—his 1966 live version of the song.
I rather like this rehearsal attempt at “Stuck Inside of Mobile.”
“Most Likely You Go Your Way,” Robbie on guitar, Al on organ.
Now one of my all-time (if not among most famous) song “Absolutely Sweet Marie,” some lyrics different and of course also the vocal. Robbie and Al again plus Kenny “The Machine” Buttrey on drums.
Since he’s performed it live so rarely, here it is from his “MTV Unplugged” show—which did not make the final program.
If you’ve got ten minutes, “Sad-Eyed Lady.” Well, it’s 90 seconds faster than the album cut.