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: 10 August, 2010
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)
Various Artists - "Cities 97 Sampler Vol. 8" - cancer charity CD, Frontier/Cities 97 KTCZ 91.1 FM (USA), 1997:
![]() Frontier/Cities 97 KTCZ 91.1 FM (USA) - scan by Hans Seegers |
R-0239-2 A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall - live at
the Great Music Experience, Naira City, Japan, 1994, previously released on the
Columbia European MTV Unplugged Dignity singles, 1995 This cancer charity CD is one of a series released in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) of Bob's home state of Minnesota. Also featured is Bob's son Jakob with The Wallflowers. Thanks to Hans Seegers for information and scans. |
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![]() Frontier/Cities 97 KTCZ 91.1 FM (USA) - CD scan by Hans Seegers |
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Various Artists - "What's New Vol. 16" - promo compilation CD + CD single set, BMG 74321 44823 2 (Germany), 28 Apr 1997:
R-0218-3 Trust Yourself
(performed by Carlene Carter) - Bob contributes
backing vocals, recorded at Huh Studios, Los Angeles, CA, Jan 1993
This song first appeared on a CD single
Sweet Meant To Be
distributed with Carlene's 1993 Giant album Little Love Letters (see 1993) and on
her 1996 compilation album Hindsight 20/20 (see 1996).
The other two Dylan songs from the compilation are Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again by Thomas Helmig, and Series Of Dreams by The Zimmermen.
Thanks to Hans Seegers for information and scans.
Various Artists - "May Your Song Always Be Sung: The Songs Of Bob Dylan" - 2x10" LP limited edition BMG 74321 47088 1, (Germany), May 1997; CD: BMG 74321 47088-2 (Germany), May 1997:
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R-0218-4 Trust Yourself This song first appeared on a CD single Sweet Meant To Be distributed with Carlene's 1993 Giant album Little Love Letters (see 1993) and on her 1996 compilation album Hindsight 20/20 (see 1996). It is also on the1997 BMG various artists compilation What's New Vol. 16.(see above) For the second May Your Song Always Be Sung collection, see 2001. For the third May Your Song Always Be Sung collection, see 2003. For a Japanese single disc compilation with tracks from the first and second collections, see 2006. |
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![]() BMG 74321 47088-2 (Germany) - CD front insert, scan by Dave Plentus |
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BMG 74321 47088-2 (Germany) - reverse of CD rear insert (under CD tray) |
BMG 74321 47088-2 (Germany) - CD |
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This compilation has a 12-page booklet with details of the artists. It was also released on vinyl in a numbered limited edition of two 10" LPs with two exclusive snippets of a Dylan interview from Stockholm, Sweden, 28 Apr 1966, starting with the following lines:
Q: What do you call yourself, a poet or a singer?"
A: "You wouldn't ask these questions of a carpenter..."Q: "When you write a song, do you write the melody or the words first?"
A: "I write it all..."
For a BMG sampler featuring three songs from this compilation see above.
Thanks to Keith Venturoni for finding the vinyl release on eBay and to Dave
Plentus for more information and scans.
"The Best Of Bob Dylan" - compilation CD, Columbia
SONYTV28CD/31-487924-10 (UK); Columbia 487924 2 (mainland Europe); Columbia
487924 2 (Australia); Sony
Music Direct TVK 24037 (Canada), 2 Jun 1997:
All re-released tracks on this album have been digitally remastered using
SBM. This is not the same album as the US and Japanese The
Best Of Bob Dylan released in Nov 2005 (also in Canada with the same name as
this release), see 2005. For a pirate copy of this album
manufactured in Russia, but found by Jean-Pol Hiernaux in Belgium, see
Questionable Releases.
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Columbia SONYTV28CD (UK) - front (my copy) |
R-0250-2 Shelter From The Storm
The artwork shows part of the typescript of Subterranean Homesick Blues, which is surprisingly not on the album (it is on The Best Of Bob Dylan Vol. 2, see 2000). Thanks to Jean-Pol Hiernaux for scans of his copy with a clear sticker, and to Jack from Canada for the scans of the Canadian and Australian CDs. This Australian album was also included in the Australian 2CD set The Best Of Bob Dylan Vols. 1 & 2, see 2001. |
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![]() Columbia SONYTV28CD (UK) - English front sticker, scan by Jean-Pol Hiernaux |
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Columbia SONYTV28CD (UK) - CD |
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![]() Columbia 487924 2 (Australia) - CD scan by Jack from Canada |
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![]() Sony Music Direct TVK 24037 (Canada) - CD scan by Jack from Canada |
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![]() Columbia 487924 6 (Mainland Europe) - front of slipcase |
![]() Columbia SONYTV28CD (UK) - front with German sticker, scan by Wolfram Winkler |
Wolfram Winkler says the album was TV-advertised in Germany and his copy has a sticker with some words in German. In 2003 a Columbia series called "Platin" [Platinum] was released in mainland Europe with the albums manufactured in Austria for Europe-wide distribution and the "Platin" slipcases manufactured in Germany. The Best Of Bob Dylan is "Columbia 487924 6" on the spine and "Sony Music 4879246000" on the back cover. Thanks to Hans Seegers and Éamonn Ó Catháin for information. |
Columbia SONYTV28CD (UK) - German language front sticker, scan by Wolfram Winkler |
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"The Best Of Bob Dylan" - compilation cassette, Columbia 487924 4 (UK), 2 Jun 1997:
"The Best Of Bob Dylan" - promo cassette and commercial compilation, Promo cassette: Sony Records SRCS 8412 (Japan), 6 Aug 1997; CD: Sony Records SRCS 8412 (Japan), 6 Aug 1997; MiniDisc: Sony Records SRYS 1199 (Japan), 21 Aug 1997:
The Japanese promo cassette of SRCS 8412 with blue cassette labels and a blue card insert is dated "97.8.6" (6 Aug 1997). It seems unusual for the album to be promoted on cassette since Japan was the earliest adopter of the CD about 15 years before.
The obi for the CD release uses the same artwork by Jun Miura as on the 2004 Japan-only Dylan film sound track Iden & Tity, see International Album Releases (Dylan-only Compilations) 2000s. The obi has a release of "97-8-6" (6 Aug 1997), with a withdrawal date of "99-8-5" (5 Aug 1999). The original European release date is shown as "97-6-2" (2 Jun 1997). Thanks to Wil Gielen for scans of a second release of SRCS 8412 with a different obi, also by Jun Miura. Both obis have price ¥2,345. The disc and inserts are identical, but only the first release had the sheet with 43 stickers of Dylan album covers.
The first release CD shown is a promo, with a pink promo panel on the rear insert and the English word "SAMPLE" in the clear centre of the CD itself. The Japanese MiniDisc shown is also a promo, with a pink promo sticker on the back. It has a version of the first Jun Miura obi with price ¥2,345.
Thanks to Hervé from France for information and to Hans Seegers and Wil Gielen for scans.
"Les Indispensables De Bob Dylan" - compilation CD, Sony Music Media SMM 516344-2 (France), 13 Apr 2004; Sony BMG Music Entertainment 82876860922 (France), 2006:
The Best Of Bob Dylan album above was released in France in 2004 and 2006 with the new title Les Indispensables De Bob Dylan. The 2004 release is by Sony Music Media and the 2006 release is by Sony BMG Strategic Marketing. Thanks to Éamonn Ó Catháin and Jean-Pol Hiernaux for finding these releases and to Hans Seegers for further information and scans of the 2006 release.
Various Artists - " Sony Music Walker" - promo compilation 3CD set, Sony XDCS 93272-4 (Japan), 1997:
![]() Sony XDCS 93272-4 (Japan) - front insert scan by Wil Gielen |
This 95-track 3CD compilation for radio stations from Sony Japan
includes a 1:33 excerpt from Like A Rolling Stone from Highway 61 Revisited
(the 1996 Japanese release Sony Records SRCS 9074).
R-0527 Like A Rolling Stone - 1.33 excerpt from Highway 61 Revisited version This edit also turned up on a Columbia/Legacy US promo compilation featuring Al Kooper, What Do All These Recording Artists Have In Common, see 2001. Thanks to Wil Gielen for information and scans. |
![]() Sony XDCS 93272-4 (Japan) - rear insert scan by Wil Gielen |
![]() Sony XDCS 93272-4 (Japan) - CD1 scan by Wil Gielen |
Joan Baez - "Live At Newport" - compilation CD, Vanguard 77015-2 (USA), 1997:
R-0253 With God On Our Side
- recorded live with Joan Baez
This duet is
identified on the CD as being previously released, but it is not
the expected version from Newport Broadside: Topical Songs, (R-0311, see
1964), now known to have been recorded on 27 Jul
1963 (morning workshop) and not on 26 Jul 1963 (afternoon workshop) or 28 Jul 1963 (evening concert) as previously
thought. This "new" version is from the
evening of 26 Jul 1964, when Bob and Joan performed the song
after she was invited on stage during Bob's set. Thanks to Larry Crum and Bob
Stacy for information.
Edited versions of these performances were included on the 1998 compilation albums Vanguard Sessions: Folk Duets and Vanguard Sessions: Folk Duets (for both see 1998) and on the 2002 3CD set Vanguard Roots Of Folk (see 2002). Thanks to Tim Dunn for information.
Video of both these performances now appears on the 2007 US Columbia/Legacy DVD The Other Side Of The Mirror: Bob Dylan Live At The Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965, see VHS & DVD 2000s Part 4.
Various Artists - "Ad Bouman's Goud Van Oud" - 3CD set, Sony
Music Media 486720-2 (NL),
1997:
The compiler of this set, Ad Bouman, is a veteran Dutch disc jockey who
started with the station Radio Veronica when it was on a "pirate" ship
in the North Sea in the 1960s. Bob's contribution to this 3CD set in a
double-width jewel case is the first half of Hurricane from Desire,
released in 1975 and 1976 on 7" singles. The set was produced in Austria
for the Dutch market only.
![]() Sony Music Media 486720-2 (NL) - front scan by Hans Seegers |
R-0126-8 Hurricane (Part 1) - first half of
song (3:45) For original 1975-76 singles with this song split over the A- and B-sides, see here. Thanks to Hans Seegers for information and scans. |
![]() Sony Music Media 486720-2 (NL) - rear scan by Hans Seegers |
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![]() Sony Music Media 486720-2 (NL) - CD2 scan by Hans Seegers (includes R-0126) |
"Biograph" - recalled 3CD jewel case edition, Columbia C3K
65298 (USA), Aug 1997:
This edition, which had to be recalled because of the mistakes listed below, was
released in the USA only, reportedly in a run of 5,000 copies. The first run of
the Oct 1997 corrected edition has the same catalogue number, C3K 65298. The recalled
Biograph can be identified from the corrected reissue without breaking the seal, because the grey on the cover
is a true grey, whereas the cover of the corrected release has a reddish tinge
to the grey (thanks to Paul S. Levine for confirming this). This is not true of the UK release, Columbia 488099 2 (see
International
Albums (Regular)), which was the corrected version from the outset, and where the
grey on the cover is definitely a true grey.
For full details of these releases, see the Biograph page in International
Albums (Regular).
The number at the bottom of the round front sticker titled "The Ultimate Bob Dylan Album!" is 65298-S1 (see below). On the corrected edition it's reported to be 65298-S1A, but I have no confirmation of this (the UK release has a completely different sticker). There are typos on the back of the slipcase, but they are on both
editions: R-0255 Baby, Let Me Follow You Down (Rev Gary Davies, arr. Eric von Schmidt) - truncated introduction to Bob Dylan version, an error which required correction. The track length on the recalled version is 2:13, whereas it is 2:35 on the corrected version. R-0256 I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (unfaded John Wesley Harding version) - sadly the faded edit was restored in Oct 1997. The track length on the recalled version is 2:46, whereas it is 2:38 on the corrected version. R-0257 I Don't Believe You (live with the
Hawks, Manchester Free Trade Hall, 17 May 1966) - this performance replaced the otherwise unreleased
version from Belfast, 6 May
1966 on the original Biograph. The Belfast version was restored in Oct 1997. Mixed Up Confusion on this edition of Biograph is a newly discovered stereo version of the original single. This replaced the alternate take on the 1985 release of Biograph (R-0748, see 1985). The original single (mono and stereo) has a harmonica solo immediately after Bob's spoken introduction "I've got mixed up confusion, and it's a-killin' me!", the alternate take used in 1985 doesn't. The stereo version of the original single was then retained in the "corrected" reissue. This means the stereo version of the original single take is not now a rarity, but the alternate take on the 1985 version of Biograph has become a rarity. |
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Columbia C3K 65298 (USA) - serial number "65298-S1" - is there a release with serial number "65298-S1A"? |
Various Artists - "The Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute" - tribute
album, promo release: Egyptian Records/Columbia ACK 67676 (USA), Aug 1997; commercial
release: Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (USA), 19 Aug 1997; Egyptian
Records/Columbia 485189 2 (Europe/Australia), Sep 1997:
The front insert is a 16-page stapled booklet including an essay by
Bob. Jimmie Rodgers was born in 1897, so this set marks the 100th anniversary of
his birth. So far it's been the only release on Bob's own Egyptian Records
label.
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (USA) - front insert (commercial release, my copy) |
R-0258 My Blue-Eyed
Jane (Jimmie Rodgers/Lulu Belle White) This song was originally recorded at Ardent Studios, Memphis, TN, on 9-11 May 1994, at the same session as Boogie Woogie Country Girl from the Doc Pomus tribute album (see 1995) with Emmylou Harris on backing vocals. An excerpt from that version also appears on the Columbia/Graphix Zone Highway 61 Interactive CD-ROM (also see 1995). This version has a new vocal overdubbed Jan 1997 (without Emmylou) at Criterion Sound Studio, Miami, FL, during the Time Out Of Mind sessions produced by Daniel Lanois. |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (USA) - rear insert |
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![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (USA) - front of jewel case with sticker, scan by Jean-Pol Hiernaux |
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![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (USA) - sticker from front of jewel case, scan by Jean-Pol Hiernaux |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (USA) - page of front insert booklet with essay by Bob, scan by Jean-Pol Hiernaux |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (USA) - original CD |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (USA) - replacement CD scan by Jean-Pol Hiernaux |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia 485189 2 (Australia) - front sticker scan by Bill Hester |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia CK 67676 (Canada) - sticker from front of jewel case, scan by Jack |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia ACK 67676 (USA) - promo release front of card sleeve, scan by Jack from Canada |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia ACK 67676 (USA) - promo release rear of card sleeve, scan by Jack from Canada |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia ACK 67676 (USA) - promo release CD scan by Jack from Canada |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia 485189 2 (Australia) - rear insert scan by Bill Hester |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia 485189 2 (Australia) - detail of rear insert, scan by Bill Hester |
![]() Egyptian Records/Columbia 485189 2 (Australia) - CD scan by Bill Hester |
The attractive CD design is a reproduction of an old Jimmie Rodgers 78 record label- it has however now been changed, see above.
Thanks to Bill Hester for the information that there is an Australian release with the same catalogue number as the European release, Columbia 485189 2. Thanks to Tobias Levander for information that R-0258 now appears on the Bear Family German 6CD boxed set The Influence Of Jimmie Rodgers: Let Me Be Your Side Track see 2008.
Jean-Pol Hiernaux has a copy of this album bought in 2004 with a sticker on the front of the jewel case and a completely different CD design - see right. My copy bought in 1997 had no sticker. Thanks also to Jack from Canada for the scan of the Canadian sticker with the identical text in English and French. Jack also has a promo CD, ACK 67676 with the same CD design. It comes in a plain white card sleeve with front and rear stickers. Thanks to Éamonn Ó Catháin for the information that the US Apple iTunes Music Store was offering this track for download in 2005. Thanks to Bill Hester for scans of the Australian release.
Thanks to Jean-Pol Hiernaux, Jack from Canada and Bill Hester for information and scans.
Various Artists - "The Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute" - promo tribute compilation CD: Sony Records SRCS 8240 (Japan), 21 Feb 1998:
"Time Out Of Mind" - promo CD, Columbia COL PRCD 486 (Germany), Sep 1997:
"Love Sick" - promo CD single, Columbia CSK 3467 (USA), Sep 1997:
"Standing In The Doorway" - promo CD-R test pressing, Columbia (no catalogue number) (Norway), Sep 1997:
Various Artists - "BBC Classic Tracks - Bob Dylan & Friends" - radio
station CD, Westwood One Program # 97-38 (USA), for broadcast 15-22 Sep 1997:
This radio station CD in a paper sleeve has five daily programs to be
broadcast in a week, and comes with cue sheets. Two of these three songs are
from the 1986 video Hard
To Handle, see VHS & DVD
1980s, and all three were on the
Westwood One Aug 1986 radio broadcast LPs, see 1986.
As far as I know they have never been broadcast by the BBC in the UK.
![]() Westwood One Program # 97-38 (USA) - cue sheet scan by Hans Seegers |
R-0174-6 Like A Rolling Stone - live with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Sydney, Australia, 25 Feb 1986, from the HBO special Hard To Handle, see VHS & DVD 1980s, also on the Westwood One Radio Broadcast Superstars In Concert, 1986 R-0181-5 Knockin' On Heaven's Door - live with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Sydney, Australia, 25 Feb 1986, from the HBO special Hard To Handle, see VHS & DVD 1980s, also on the Westwood One Radio Broadcast Superstars In Concert, 1986 R-0187-3 Blowin' In The Wind - live with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Sydney, Australia, 25 Feb 1986, from the Westwood One Radio Broadcast Superstars In Concert, 1986 The show also includes Dylan album tracks plus All Along The Watchtower by Jeff Healey and Maggie's Farm by Tin Machine. Thanks to Hans Seegers and Tim Dunn for information and to Hans Seegers for scans. |
![]() Westwood One Program # 97-38 (USA) - CD scan by Hans Seegers |
"Live '96" - promo CD single, Columbia CSK 3818 (USA), Dec 1997:
Recorded live at the House of Blues, Atlanta, GA, Aug 1996 - Bob's complete
performances at the House of Blues were recorded for an as yet unreleased TV
show/video in the "House of Blues" series - these tracks are reported
to have been taken from the audio of the recording.
The last three tracks turned up again on CD singles in 1998, My Back Pages (R-0259) is unique to this item. R-0262 turned up on an online "EP" High Water from iTunes Canada in 2008, see Online Performances (Other).
Various Artists - untitled promo CD sampler, Columbia SMPD 069 (Canada), Dec 1997:
Promotional/Regular Items for 1997
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Stereo promo Albums (including Radio Station Albums) and Singles for 1997 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. |

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Listings © 1998-2010
The rights to material from all quoted contributors remain
with them. Copyright of all included cover art remains with the various record companies.
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