REVIEWS

BOB DYLAN

SPRINGTIME IN NEW YORK: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 16 1980-1985

Sony Legacy (5-CD Box Set)

One would think that by this point in Bob Dylan’s storied career, The Bootleg Series would have run its course. Having found fruition in highly coveted live recordings, early outtakes and Big Pink leftovers, Sony/Legacy has managed to further explore nearly every vital aspect of his output from key phases of a timeless trajectory.

Still, some might question whether a focus on the ’80s would warrant similar investigation, especially as it applies to a five-disc box set. And while it shares a limited timespan — and one not necessarily associated with his prime pedigree — it’s a consistently quality collection nevertheless, one that doesn’t offer any impression whatsoever that the producers had to scrape the bottom of the barrel. While it will hopefully help fill the coffers, it also reaffirms the fact that the Bobster’s early ’80s output — specifically, the albums Infidels and Empire Burlesque — has its high-points, even compared to his ’70s prime. Granted, Shot of Love, also from that era, had its flaws, given that it, like its predecessors, Slow Train Coming and Saved, took root in his zealous so-called Christian rebirth. However, like the other two offerings that spawned this material — more than 50 unreleased recordings in all — there’s consistent quality to be found throughout.

Disc one is devoted entirely to rehearsals, and within that sphere, it finds Dylan tackling a few covers style — among them, takes on the Dave Mason latter-day standby “We Just Disagree,” Dion’s “Abraham, Martin and John” and the seminal standard “Mystery Train.” CDs two, three and four are devoted to alternate versions and outtakes from each of the aforementioned albums, and in many instances, they work as well as