This is great Ray. I am waiting for the box set to arrive, and will be sure to keep your guide handy! I'm also looking fwd to reading Sean's extensive liners. Thanks also for the shout-out about that early one-of-a-kind record Bob cut with his 2 buddies (Howard Rutman & Larry Keagan) on X-mas Eve 1956. What else would 3 young Jewish guys have to do on that particular night??! I suspect one reason that there are not more tracks from that disc on this collection is that, well, somebody actually OWNS the thing (it was supposedly sold not too long ago, but I for one don't know who bought it, though I've tried to find out) and perhaps the new owner has designs on releasing it or otherwise monetizing it at some later point? I had to jump through some hoops just to listen to it, mainly heading to visit Mitch Blank a few times at his crib in the W Village to listen to it (always a pleasure!). I certainly wasn't allowed to take a copy of it. I also sort of clandestinely saw what seems to be the only available photograph of the disc itself, but the owner at that time wouldn't let it be printed, which is what led to Duncan Hannah's pretty faithful painted reproduction of the label as shown in that photograph. I finally saw his canvas hanging at the BDC this summer during the World of BD Conference. Great painting! Fascinating recording session!
In my research for that essay I even tracked down a guy who worked at Terlinde music, where the record was cut. He wasn't there when Bob+buddies came thru, but started working there shortly after, while the place was still in the same state. I'd thought it was one of those 'record yr song' booths but it wasn't at all, it was a proper 2nd floor recording studio where other local artists regularly cut demos and acetates. They had the ability to cut 'direct-to-disk' one-offs and that's the singular piece of black plastic that Bob and his buddies took away that evening. Kinda interesting side note that his first known recording has him on piano - and that's where he's ended up at the opposite end of his career as well...
The "Ready Teddy" segment from the 1956 Jokers acetate was played at the Tulsa conference in 2019 and sounds fantastic. There's a straight line from that to what Bob Dylan is doing on stage right now. Without Rock & Roll, without Little Richard there would be no Bob Dylan. The Jokers acetate is the earliest surviving example of Dylan celebrating the exuberant power of Rock & Roll. While the disc itself may be owned by an outside entity, the rights to the recording are owned by Sony (I think). The recording should be released in its entirety. Since it is not part of the new Bootleg Series set, they should let Third Man release a repro of the disc. Third Man did they same with Elvis' first acetate, so there is precedent.
I have waited 23 years for an opportunity to hear the COMPLETE Jokers acetate. I have waited ever since its existence became common knowledge on Saturday, October 5, 2002 via a post on the expectingrain frontpage. And now they are giving us just 30 secs from the 8 mins acetate? Biggest disappointment of the entire Bootleg Series project so far.
This is going to be so helpful when my set arrives today. I imagine listening to it all will be my winter project! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. As an aside, I’m currently reading your book and greatly enjoying it.
This is great Ray. I am waiting for the box set to arrive, and will be sure to keep your guide handy! I'm also looking fwd to reading Sean's extensive liners. Thanks also for the shout-out about that early one-of-a-kind record Bob cut with his 2 buddies (Howard Rutman & Larry Keagan) on X-mas Eve 1956. What else would 3 young Jewish guys have to do on that particular night??! I suspect one reason that there are not more tracks from that disc on this collection is that, well, somebody actually OWNS the thing (it was supposedly sold not too long ago, but I for one don't know who bought it, though I've tried to find out) and perhaps the new owner has designs on releasing it or otherwise monetizing it at some later point? I had to jump through some hoops just to listen to it, mainly heading to visit Mitch Blank a few times at his crib in the W Village to listen to it (always a pleasure!). I certainly wasn't allowed to take a copy of it. I also sort of clandestinely saw what seems to be the only available photograph of the disc itself, but the owner at that time wouldn't let it be printed, which is what led to Duncan Hannah's pretty faithful painted reproduction of the label as shown in that photograph. I finally saw his canvas hanging at the BDC this summer during the World of BD Conference. Great painting! Fascinating recording session!
In my research for that essay I even tracked down a guy who worked at Terlinde music, where the record was cut. He wasn't there when Bob+buddies came thru, but started working there shortly after, while the place was still in the same state. I'd thought it was one of those 'record yr song' booths but it wasn't at all, it was a proper 2nd floor recording studio where other local artists regularly cut demos and acetates. They had the ability to cut 'direct-to-disk' one-offs and that's the singular piece of black plastic that Bob and his buddies took away that evening. Kinda interesting side note that his first known recording has him on piano - and that's where he's ended up at the opposite end of his career as well...
The "Ready Teddy" segment from the 1956 Jokers acetate was played at the Tulsa conference in 2019 and sounds fantastic. There's a straight line from that to what Bob Dylan is doing on stage right now. Without Rock & Roll, without Little Richard there would be no Bob Dylan. The Jokers acetate is the earliest surviving example of Dylan celebrating the exuberant power of Rock & Roll. While the disc itself may be owned by an outside entity, the rights to the recording are owned by Sony (I think). The recording should be released in its entirety. Since it is not part of the new Bootleg Series set, they should let Third Man release a repro of the disc. Third Man did they same with Elvis' first acetate, so there is precedent.
I have waited 23 years for an opportunity to hear the COMPLETE Jokers acetate. I have waited ever since its existence became common knowledge on Saturday, October 5, 2002 via a post on the expectingrain frontpage. And now they are giving us just 30 secs from the 8 mins acetate? Biggest disappointment of the entire Bootleg Series project so far.
you’re crazy for this one 🫡
This is going to be so helpful when my set arrives today. I imagine listening to it all will be my winter project! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. As an aside, I’m currently reading your book and greatly enjoying it.
It will be a while before it lands in Singapore, but this really whets my appetite. Very excited about this one. It's been a long time coming.
I would have loved more of The Jokers ... and I'm surprised they didn't go after the Karen Wallace tape a little harder. I can wait a little longer!