Whether there really is magic in every beginning can be fundamentally doubted, but this career prequel strongly suggests so: “Let The Good Times Roll”, the first of the 139 tracks spread over eight CDs, was recorded on Christmas Eve 1956. His Bobness was 15 years old then, dreaming of rock’n’roll and the big wide world. This was followed by the conversion from party-ready R’n’B to folk, the move from Minnesota to the East Coast and Robert Zimmerman’s metamorphosis into Bob Dylan.
Editorial recommendations
A story whose earliest phase – including the entire appearance at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1963 – is documented here musically, richly illustrated and expertly commented on. The influence of his idols, especially Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, is of course initially unmistakable, but the path to the darkly humorous “Talkin’ Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues” wasn’t that far.
Do you expect audiophile sound quality? Don’t do it. Given the fact that a significant portion of the recordings come from small studios and live clubs, the sound is perfectly fine. Reduced versions are also available as a double CD and quadruple LP, but if you want to experience Dylan’s search and find in all its glory, the deluxe edition is best served. Especially since it contains 48 previously unpublished pieces.
This review first appeared in Musikexpress 12/2025.