Fragments - Time Out of Mind Sessions (1996-1997): The Bootleg Series, Vol. 17 (Deluxe Edition)

By 1997, fans were wondering whether Bob Dylan had anything left in his artistic tank. But a near-fatal illness had clearly inspired him, resulting in Time Out of Mind, a dark, moody album filled with resignation and visions of mortality. The spare and loose “Tryin’ to Get to Heaven” and the mysteriously beautiful “Not Dark Yet” are album centrepieces, while “’Til I Fell in Love with You”, with its droning organ, tells us that new love isn’t without deep tensions and anxiety. On the original record, the haunting Daniel Lanois production captured Dylan’s mood, and his croaking vocals, perfectly. On this edition, however—the 17th volume of the singer-songwriter’s celebrated Bootleg Series—you’ll hear a more intimate sound, courtesy of the 2022 remix by Michael Brauer designed to reveal how the record’s 11 songs really sounded when they were played in the room. What follows in this five-disc offering is a treasure trove of unreleased tracks and recordings, alternate versions and live performances captured between 1998 and 2001. A companion to the original, this is a thrilling chance to reimmerse yourself in the gem-like album that rebooted the career of one of America’s greatest songwriters.