Bob Dylan Announces Early-’80s ‘Bootleg Series’

Set for release on September 17th is Bob Dylan – Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 (1980-1985). The new five-disc collection features 57 rare Dylan recordings, 54 of them previously unreleased in any format. The tracks cover Dylan's sessions around the classic albums Shot Of Love (1981), Infidels (1983), and Empire Burlesque (1985).

The set is available in a deluxe five-CD box set, featuring a book, memorabilia, photos and more. Also available are double-CD and two-LP 12-inch vinyl highlight packages.

In the liner notes for the album, writer Damien Love sheds light on the period in Dylan's career: “That's the real story of this gloriously untrammeled collection. The songs. The songs stripped free of trappings, tampering, passing tastes, and judgments. The songs broken down to the sound of people really doing this, right now, acting on instinct. The songs rough and rowdy, bruised and tender, joking and crying, nagging and striving and yearning. The songs were always there, and here they are still, keeping pace with us.”

Both fans and media alike have always asked Bob Dylan his thoughts on the state of the world and life in general. Back in 1985, during an interview with ABC's 20/20, he tried to sum up some type of philosophy that suited the way he lived: “'Don't know if its's gonna stop or not stop. I don't take anything for granted. You can only do so much, y'know? Who knows what's lurking behind the corner at any time (that) may come up? So, we can have these big plans and dreams, but there's no guarantee that any of it is gonna come off. I just go from day-to-day and keep at it.”