All the songs listed in the Official
Rarities section are cross-referenced by song title in these
alphabetical pages.
A-E
F-J
K-O
P-S
T-Z

This yearly page now contains only the main Rarities List! Promotional Items (Albums and Singles) are now here. All Honourable Mentions are now here.
If you have any entries to add to the list or additions/corrections to
existing entries, please let me know!
Please note I cannot value your Dylan rarities -
see the Mission page for reasons why. Contact the
dealers on my Trading page for assistance!
Revised: 01 January, 2012
Titles in red are not available
on a currently released Bob Dylan CD (for these see bobdylan.com
)
Key to symbols used:
Links to other World Wide Web pages - ![]()
Links to email addresses - ![]()
Links to bobdylan.com for song lyrics -
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Performances currently available on commercial CD are marked by
(these are the ones that count as obscurities
rather than as rarities)
"Dylan Originals: Celebrating 30 Years On Columbia" - 4 track promo CD, Columbia XPCD 137 (UK), Jan 1991:
R-0102-4 Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell) - from the now deleted album Dylan, see 1973
The other tracks on the EP are Handy Dandy from Under The Red Sky, Man In The Long Black Coat from Oh Mercy and Knockin' On Heaven's Door from Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid - all the regular album versions. Of course, Big Yellow Taxi is not a "Dylan Original" composition, although it can certainly be said to be a "Dylan Original" performance! J
The reverse of the front insert is blank, and the rear insert has details of Bob's concert dates at the SECC, Glasgow, and the Hammersmith Odeon, London, in Feb 1991. It also has details of nine older Dylan albums just released on CD in 1991 - these include Dylan (A Fool Such As I) (again see 1973), although as far as I know it was never actually released in the UK. The CD itself has the Columbia logo and "PROMO CD" vertically just to the left of the centre hole.
Thanks to Erik Grobet for placing this entry correctly in 1991.
Hervé from France has this EP in a limited edition box together with The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3. Hans Seegers says this item, though very attractive, is actually unofficial.
"Special Audio Buyway featuring excerpts from Bob Dylan/The Rolling Stones" - in-store promotional cassette, Columbia 47382 (USA), Jan 1991:
"The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3 Sampler" - 12 track promo compilation, CD release: Columbia CSK 3081 (USA), Jan 1991; cassette release Columbia 47382 (USA), Jan 1991:
"5 Tracks From 'The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3'" - promo CD single, Columbia SAMPCD 1476 (Austria for Europe), Jan 1991:
"Series Of Dreams" - promo CD single, Columbia CSK 3041 (USA), Mar 1991:
"Series Of Dreams" - 7" singles: CBS 656707-7 (UK)/Columbia COL 656707-7 (NL); CD singles: Columbia 656707-6 (Europe)/Columbia 656707-2 (Australia), Mar 1991:
R-0203-3 Series Of Dreams - 4:49 edit of version on The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3
Onno Mastenbroek reports that the Series Of Dreams promotional video had a different edit, not the same as this - any further information?
The 12" single version is reported to be the full Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3 version (5:52, without the cross-fade) - more information required! Alan Hoaksey also reports a promo 12" version - more details required also! The B-side of the 7" single and the second track on the 2-track CD singles was Seven Curses. Ralph Austin reports a rumoured 4-track CD single, CBS 656707-5, but it seems not to have been released.
Thanks to Nol Grint for a "Sony Music Presents" promo letter sent out with the Dutch single from Holland to German addresses.
Thanks to Hans Seegers, Peter Good and Brain Clarke for information and scans.
"The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3 [Rare and Unreleased]
1961-1991" - 3CD boxed set, Columbia 468086 2 (Europe)/5LP boxed set. Columbia 468086
1 (Europe), Mar 1991:
These sets were made in Austria for
distribution throughout Europe. Some sets were packaged with a free T-shirt -
see below.
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Columbia 468086 2 (Europe) - original 1991 booklet front |
R-0212 Series Of Dreams - edit (5:37) This final track is
5:37 on the UK CD version of this boxed set (in the 12"
LP-sized box), but 5:52 with a longer fadeout on the cassette and
vinyl version. I'm informed by Tracy Zank that the US
"long box" format of the set has this track at 5:52. Note from Tim Neely of Goldmine magazine: "The vinyl pressing of The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3 was released in Europe only, and available in the USA only as an import - the European vinyl version was issued on 5 LPs and the track order was slightly rearranged to fit the LP side lengths". The 1994 single album Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. 3 has the 5:54 version (see 1994 for the CD-Plus release), as has the jewel-case 1997 UK reissue of The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3. For details of these, see International Albums (Regular). The regular CD singles, Columbia 656 707-2 (Australia) and CBS 656 707-5 (Austria for Europe) and the 12" single have the regular full-length version, but without the cross-fade start, as now on Greatest Hits Vol. 3. |
![]() Columbia 468086 1 (Europe) - scan by David Burgess of sleeve of LP5 of vinyl version, showing timing of Series Of Dreams at 5:52 (not the rarity, although the vinyl version is a very sought-after collector's item) |
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![]() Columbia 468086 2 (Europe) - sealed box with T-shirt on front, scan by Hans Seegers |
![]() Columbia 468086 2 (Europe) - front sticker scan by Hans Seegers |
To summarise, there are three officially released takes of Series Of Dreams (two from 1991 and an alternate take that appeared in 2008). The first take occurs in five versions!
1 The regular US album version which occurs in five variants as follows:
1A 5:52 with cross-fade start on the US CD and other releases (not a rarity)
1B The version on the UK CD version of The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3, 5:37 edit of (1) with cross-fade start (R-0212)
1C The 12" and commercial CD single version, 5:54, (1) without cross-fade start (not a rarity because it's on Greatest Hits Vol. 3)
1D The first promo CD and 7" single version, 4:49-4:52 edit of the album version (1) with second verse missing and without cross-fade start (R-0203)
1E The promotional video edit of (1) (4:22) (R-0676 - appeared on a Brazilian DVD in 2004, see Questionable Video)
2 The second promo CD version from the European 5-track CD sampler above, full-length alternate take with lyric differences, also without cross-fade start (R-0204)
3 The alternate take (6:27) from The Bootleg Series Vol. 8 - Tell Tale Signs: Rare And Unreleased 1989-2006, released in 2008
There are also two unreleased alternate takes that circulate amongst Dylan collectors, one of which matches the published lyrics (which the officially released takes don't) and a so-called "fast" version. This is how I understand the situation, if anyone has any further information, please let me know.
Thanks to Peter van der Kerk and Michel Pomarede for information and to Hans Seegers for further information and scans about the 3CD release with the free T-shirt.
"Blind Willie McTell" - promo CD single, Columbia CSK 4042 (USA), 1991:
Thanks to David Plentus for information and scans. Note the insert picture on the front insert shows Blind Willie McTell himself, and the release of The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3 illustrated on the reverse of the front insert is the US "long box" version, not the 12" box that was released elsewhere (see above).
3rd Bass - "Derelicts Of Dialect" - CD release, Def Jam/Columbia CK 47369 (USA), 18 Jun 1991, reissued as Def Jam 314 523 502-2 (USA), Jul 1994:
Brian Wilson - "Sweet Insanity" - promo stereo cassette - Brains & Genius (no catalogue number) (USA), 1991:
Various Artists -
"The Newport Folk Festival - 1963: The Evening Concerts
Vols. 1 & 2" - 2CD set, Vanguard
KICP 2110/1 (Japan), 1991:
This 2CD set
is a
re-released of the original stereo Vanguard albums
(Vol. 1 - VSD-79148, Vol. 2 - VSD-79149), see
1964. It is
in a double-width jewel case with a
light-green/multi coloured obi.
This set, released as part of the Vanguard "Newport Folk Festival Complete
Collection", contained the 33 tracks of both albums, unlike the single 25-track
CD compilation Vanguard KICP 2039, see 1990.
George Harrison/Bob Dylan - "The Concert for Bangladesh Selections"
- 3 track
promo CD single, Epic SAMPCD 1538 (USA/Europe), 1991:
This promo CD single released to promote the Epic 1991 CD release of this album is very rare, and commands a high price!
This CD release was part of a marketing arrangement between EMI and Columbia -
the 1972 releases were on EMI's Apple/Capitol labels.
![]() Epic SAMPCD 1538 (USA) - front scan from Wim van der Mark |
R-0077-3 Blowin' In The Wind
The other two tracks on the CD are from George Harrison For details of LP, tape and CD releases of the original soundtrack album boxed set including the 1991 reissue, see 1972. For the remastered CD version with a bonus track, see 2005. See VHS & DVD 1970s for the original releases of the film of this concert. For the expanded 2DVD edition released in the USA and UK on 24 Oct 2005, which includes new Dylan material, see VHS & DVD 2000s Part 3. Thanks to Wim van der Mark and Gerd Rundel for information and scans. |
![]() Epic SAMPCD 1538 (USA) - inside of insert, scan by Gerd Rundel |
![]() Epic SAMPCD 1538 (USA) - CD scan by Gerd Rundel |
Harry Belafonte - "Island In The Sun: His Greatest Hits" - compilation CD, Woodford WMCD 5643 (NL), 1991:
![]() Woodford WMCD 5643 (NL) - rear insert scan by Hans Seegers |
This budget CD is still available. It's listed on amazon.com as from "Disky/Woodford", Disky is based in Hoorn, Holland, and there is as far as I know no UK release, although this is sold in the UK.
R-0001-8 Midnight Special
(Huddie Ledbetter - "Leadbelly")
- Bob plays harmonica on the
title track of Harry Belafonte's 1962 The Midnight Special album (stereo
version)
For details of the original album, see 1962
Roger McGuinn - "Born To Rock And Roll" - compilation CD, Columbia Legacy CK 47494 (USA)/Columbia Legacy COL 488223 2 (UK), 1991:
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Columbia Legacy COL 488223 2 (UK) - front with "Nice Price" sticker (my copy) |
R-0095-3 I'm So Restless
(Roger McGuinn) This track from Roger's self-titled 1973 Columbia album (see 1973) is also on the 1977 Japanese promo LP Mr. D's Collection # 1 (see 1977). The US and UK artwork is virtually identical, although the US CD has a distinctive design whilst the UK CD has a generic design. According to Rob van Estrik this release is remastered and thus recommended over the version on the original album. Thanks to Hans Seegers for scans of the US CD. |
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Columbia Legacy COL 488223 2 (UK) - rear insert |
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Columbia Legacy CK 47494 (USA) - rear insert scan by Hans Seegers |
Columbia Legacy CK 47494 (USA) - CD scan by Hans Seegers |
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Various Artists - "I Shall Be Unreleased" - compilation CD, Sony Music Special Products A 22552/Rhino Records R2 70518 (USA), 1991:
![]() Sony Music Special Products A 22552/Rhino Records R2 70518 (USA) - front (my copy) |
R-0088-2 Wallflower Thanks to Jean-Pol Hiernaux for information there is also a cassette release, Rhino R4 70518. This is missing four tracks, but Wallflower is present. Thanks also to Jack from Canada for the scans. |
![]() Sony Music Special Products A 22552/Rhino Records R2 70518 (USA) - rear scan by Jack from Canada |
![]() Sony Music Special Products A 22552/Rhino Records R2 70518 (USA) - CD scan by Jack from Canada |
Various Artists - "For Our Children" - charity compilation
CD and 2LP set, CD: Walt Disney
Records 60616-2 (USA); Walt Disney Records HWDCD 17 (UK); Walt Disney Records
33501-2 (France); EMI Italiana Spa 070 7970312 (Italy); Buena Vista Records
PCCD-00041 (Japan), Walt Disney Records 468655 2 (Australia), 3 Jul 1991;
2LP
set:
Walt Disney Records 162 79 7031 1 (Spain), 1991:
The original 1991 US release was also available in a long box.
![]() Walt Disney Records 60616-2 (USA) - scan by Jack from Canada |
R-0213 This Old Man (traditional) This album was released to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation, Santa Monica, CA, and was released again in 1999 on CD from Rhino Records (USA) as a "10th Anniversary Edition" (see below). This song also appears on a US/UK Shout! Factory compilation CD, Every Child Deserves A Lifetime: Songs From The "For Our Children" Series, see 2007. Other artists include Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Little Richard, Bette Midler, Sting, and Elton John. There was a 1992 sequel For Our Children Too as well as a live album For Our Children - The Concert, also 1992, neither include Bob. Thanks to Hans Seegers for scans of the Spanish 2LP set - this was the only worldwide vinyl release, and is very rare. This was pressed by EMI Odeon S.A. in Spain on behalf of Disney. Thanks to Jack from Canada for scans of the 1991 release, to Hans Seegers again for scans of the 1991 US long box and to Ingo Friedrich for scans of the French CD. All Rhino albums can be purchased on-line from
their web-site
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![]() Walt Disney Records 60616-2 (USA) - long box rear scan by Hans Seegers |
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![]() Walt Disney Records 60616-2 (USA) - CD rear scan by Jack from Canada |
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![]() Walt Disney Records 162 79 7031 1 (Spain) - LP front scan by Hans Seegers |
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![]() Walt Disney Records HWDCD 17 (UK) - CD front scan by Stefan |
Walt Disney Records WDR 33501-2 (France) - CD rear insert scan by Ingo Friedrich |
Walt Disney Records WDR 33501-2 (France) - CD disc scan by Ingo Friedrich |
![]() Walt Disney Records 60616-2 (USA) - CD disc scan by Jack from Canada |
![]() Buena Vista Records PCCD-00041 (Japan) - front with obi, scan by Wil Gielen |
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![]() Walt Disney Records 162 79 7031 1 (Spain) - Side 2 scan by Hans Seegers (non Dylan) |
![]() Walt Disney Records 162 79 7031 1 (Spain) - Side 3 scan by Hans Seegers (non Dylan) |
![]() Walt Disney Records 162 79 7031 1 (Spain) - Side 4 scan by Hans Seegers (non Dylan) |
![]() Buena Vista Records PCCD-00041 (Japan) - obi scan by Wil Gielen |
![]() Buena Vista Records PCCD-00041 (Japan) - front scan by Wil Gielen |
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![]() Buena Vista Records PCCD-00041 (Japan) - CD scan by Wil Gielen (promo release) |
![]() Buena Vista Records PCCD-00041 (Japan) - detail of CD, scan by Wil Gielen (promo release) |
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Thanks to Wil Gielen for scans of the Japanese CD release. It has a 10-page folded front insert in English and Japanese and a second insert in English and Japanese which folds out. There is a pink obi with white and yellow text with price ¥2,500. The rear insert has date "91-7-3" (3 Jul 1991). The copy shown is a promo, with a red sticker on the rear insert and Japanese characters indicating "SAMPLE" on the clear centre of the CD itself. The Disney logo is missing from the front and rear inserts. |
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![]() Walt Disney Records 468655 2 (Australia) - front scan by Stuart Moore |
Thanks to Stuart Moore for scans of the Australian release. It also has a 10-page folded front insert. |
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![]() Walt Disney Records 468655 2 (Australia) - inside detail of insert, scan by Stuart Moore |
![]() Walt Disney Records 468655 2 (Australia) - rear insert scan by Stuart Moore |
![]() Walt Disney Records 468655 2 (Australia) - CD scan by Stuart Moore |
Various Artists - "For Our Children" - charity compilation double-play cassette: Walt Disney Records WDR 33501-4 (France), 1991:
The front sticker says "Double Length Album - 20 Titles on behalf of Children suffering from AIDS".
Thanks to Manuel Garcia Jara for information and scans.
Various Artists - "For Our Children" - charity compilation CD release: Kid Rhino R2 75932 (USA), 1999:
This album was released again in 1999 on CD from Rhino Records (USA) as a "10th Anniversary Edition". Thanks to Jean-Pol Hiernaux for information and scans.
Promotional/Regular Items for 1991
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Stereo promo items for 1991 which don't contain rare material but which are still very collectable are now included with promo releases of regular albums and commercially released singles on the appropriate page in International Stereo Releases. |
![]() The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3 (1991) |

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Listings © 1998-2012
The rights to material from all quoted contributors remain
with them. Copyright of all included artwork remains with the various record companies.
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