DYLAN: CONTRABAND digitized! – BOB’S BOOTLEG CD REVIEWS

Trevor Midgley’s original DYLAN: CONTRABAND book is now available on CD for the first time!

Subtitled “What Every Fan Wants To Know About Bob Dylan’s Bootleg CDs”, DYLAN: CONTRABAND was first published by Desolation Row in 1998. It features in-depth assessments of over 200 of Bob Dylan’s most popular bootleg CDs from the late 1990s.

The CD contains a 2Mb pdf version of the book. It is completely searchable and is ideal for display on a PC or Mac.

PLEASE NOTE: the file can also be used on an eBook reader. However, because the magnifying functions on eBook readers are inconsistent (to put it mildly!) when working with pdf, it is not recommended that anyone purchase the DYLAN: CONTRABAND CD solely for use with a Sony Reader or Kindle or the like.

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In 1998, Desolation Row commented on the DYLAN: CONTRABAND book:

“How many of us have taken home a bootleg CD, put it on the player, and thought.... ‘Oh dear!’

“Of course, we justify the purchase; we tell ourselves ‘It's not that bad...’ But deep down, and probably not for the first time, we know the first play is going to be the last.

“In researching DYLAN: CONTRABAND, long‑time fan Trevor Midgley has carefully reviewed over 200 of Bob's most accessible bootlegs. For each one, he defines ‑ in many cases corrects ‑ the basic information (playing time, source, track listings etc.) and then gives frank assessments of the sound quality, presentation, and value for money.

“None of the CDs reviewed in DYLAN: CONTRABAND are ultra‑obscure titles. All have been loaned to Trevor for the purpose of review by ordinary dealers over the last two years. These are the CDs that you can get hold of and NEED to know about.

“Trevor owes favours to no-one, is in nobody's pocket. To his knowledge, he has never even met a manufacturer or producer of bootleg CDs. His are the views of an unashamed fan who cannot afford to make mistakes when parting with hard‑earned cash. It is for all other such fans that this book has been written.

“Over 400 pages and comprehensively indexed, DYLAN: CONTRABAND is an invaluable reference document.”

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A few DYLAN: CONTRABAND conclusions:

‘… do not miss this CD ‑ what it contains is the evil black heart of '66.’

‘… less pleasing will be the distinct impression that our surreptitious recording engineer is using a C90 cassette at the back of the hall, poking the mic in through an open window.’

‘… this is special ‑ it's what bootlegging is all about.’

‘… to me, — — is a very dishonest CD. Everything but everything has been done to disguise the true origin of the tape and mislead the buyer.’

‘… this is a breathtaker ‑ a CD that has it all; exquisite performances, crystal clarity, beautiful balance, and a live audience that we can hear. Seriously, this is devastating. I am listening to the title track at forty‑watts‑per‑channel, and there is no hiss. Not a thing; just clean power and perfect expression ‑ and the tears are rolling down my face.’

‘… and the trouble is, I can hear Wanted Man's Corporate Think‑Tank Focus Group making its recommendation – “put the best track first, that'll sell the CD”. Not if you read DYLAN: CONTRABAND, it won't.’

‘… I swear if John Wayne and Richard Widmark had shown this level of power and passion, the Alamo would never have fallen!’

‘… as for the gig, the best I can say is that Bob turned up; as for — —, well, it's a uniquely awful performance presented in full.’

‘… — — is a well‑produced disc that leaves me with a really satisfied feeling. Isn't that what good CDs are all about?’.

‘… the best of — — could be condensed into one superb compilation CD. As it is, it rather sadly runs out of steam.’

‘… you may only have eighty years on this Earth; give two‑and‑a‑half hours to — —.’

‘… there are those CD fans who make a point of collecting quirky little oddballs; — — is definitely one for them. For me, it may be well‑filled and in good quality, but it's drivel.’

‘… great gig, iffy technology. The stereo is untrustworthy throughout ‑ it goes haywire during an excellent This Wheel's On Fire ‑ and I just find the inconsistency too distracting.’

‘… forget the ‘Limited Edition’ hype, and leave this on the shelf. You have better things to do with your money.’

‘… this is a classic bootleg, and if you can lay hands on a copy your hard‑earned pounds, francs, deutschmarks and dollars will be well spent.’

If you’re a Bob Dylan fan, you really do need DYLAN: CONTRABAND in your digital library!

Please contact me for non-UK shipping prices.

Happy listening!