Is It Time for a Bob Dylan Greatest Hits Volume 4?
Bob Dylan's prolific career has spanned decades, and fans of the legendary singer-songwriter are eagerly awaiting a follow-up to his Greatest Hits series. Would it be a single or double album? Should it be a compilation of hits, best-of tracks, or perhaps an expansive dive into unreleased material from Dylan's vast Bootleg Series?
Expanding the Greatest Hits Series
The original Greatest Hits and II collections, released in 1985 and 1990, provide a comprehensive overview of Dylan's most iconic tracks. However, the desire for a Volume 4 is fueled by the wealth of unreleased recordings available in the Bootleg Series. This meticulously curated series, which began in 1991, has released 17 volumes, each presenting a unique selection of live recordings, studio demos, and previously unreleased tracks.
As Jim Scanlan points out, the Bootleg Series of Bob Dylan is a treasure trove of unreleased material. In fact, the sum total of Dylan's unreleased recordings is so vast that it surpasses the entire discographies of many artists, including legendary groups like The Beatles. The idea of a Bob Dylan Greatest Hits Volume 4, therefore, aligns perfectly with the immense and often-overlooked catalog of his work.
Concept and Content
Columbia Records, Dylan's longtime record label, would be well-served to revisit and reissue the original Greatest Hits and Volume II collections on vinyl. This not only honors the legacy of these albums but also provides fans with an opportunity to experience them in a different format. A new Greatest Hits Volume 4 could then serve as a bridge between these two classic releases and explore the intervening years of Dylan's career.
The proposed content for Greatest Hits Volume 4 is as follows:
Side A
Things Have Changed - The Wonder Boys Soundtrack - 5:08 Cold Iron Bounds Live - Masked Anonymous Soundtrack - 5:43 Pressing On - Saved - 5:11 When The Ships Come In Live - No Direction Home - 3:37 George Jackson Acoustic - single - 3:42 I'm Not There - I'm Not There Soundtrack - 5:12Side B
Make You Feel My Love - Time Out Of Mind - 3:32 Seor Tales of Yankee Power - Street-Legal - 5:42 Isis - Desire - 6:58 High Water For Charley Patton - “Love and Theft” - 4:04 Most Likely You Will Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine - Blonde On Blonde - 3:29 Someday Baby - Modern Times - 4:56Side C
Shelter From The Storm - Blood On The Tracks - 5:02 Ballad Of A Thin Man - Highway 61 Revisited - 5:58 Everything Is Broken - Oh Mercy - 3:12 Love Sick - Time Out Of Mind - 5:21 Thunder On The Mountain - Modern Times - 5:55 I’ll Keep It With Mine - Biograph - 3:31Side D
Mississippi - “Love and Theft” - 5:21 Duquesne Whistle - Tempest - 5:43 Every Grain Of Sand - Shot of Love - 6:12 Beyond Here Lies Nothin' - Together Through Life - 3:50 Not Dark Yet - Time Out of Mind - 6:27The tracklist for Greatest Hits Volume 4 aims to capture the essence of Dylan's evolving sound, ranging from early acoustic tracks to more recent works, showcasing both the live and studio versions of his songs. This collection would not include any covers or traditional folk songs, focusing solely on Dylan's original compositions and interpretations.
Conclusion
Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume 4 would not only be a remarkable addition to his discography but also a vital part of music history. By reissuing and enhancing the original Greatest Hits and Greatest Hits II collections on vinyl, Columbia could set the stage for a new and exciting chapter in Dylan's career. Fans, collectors, and music lovers alike would rejoice at the prospect of owning a comprehensive collection that captures the full range of Dylan's incredible talent and enduring legacy.