Bob Dylan – Fragments (Time Out Of Mind Sessions (1996-1997)) (The Bootleg Series Vol. 17)

The pressing is very quiet, but unfortunately, the first LP in my box set was off-centered. This caused my tonearm to sway slightly back and forth, making the organ outros sound out of tune — which drove me crazy. As a result, I decided to purchase the 2017 pressing of Time Out of Mind. Thankfully, that version was flawless: no off-centering, and the outros sounded great. Would not recommend this Fragments box. I avoid off-centered vinyl like the plague.

Great price for 10 LPS. Bob Dylan as usual is a man of the people.

A fantastic set that all Dylan fans have been longing for. Mine was delivered a day before it's release date which was a nice surprise. For me this and love and theft are the pinnacle of Bobs career.
Just buy it if you can.

Really nice sounding record. Have listened to the CD since when it was first released and prefer this mix to the original. It's harder edged which fits the swaggering swing of world weariness tone throughout the album and becomes tender and contemplative at times with reflection. Recommending this box set. You'll have to splurge a little, but no matter how you want to debate it, this is classic Bob Dylan.

No one seems to have commented on the changes of lyrics on Not Dark Yet and Can't Wait. The changes are so profound that I thought I must have not been able to hear them on the original album! The original lyrics are incredible on NDY and CW versions 1. Dylan's delivery is powerful and punchy, and both songs actually contain a narrative which gives them much greater meaning and sense.While the songs compositions juxtapose a jaunty vibe, with death knell lyrics, that clobber the listener and far more deeply translate the desolation and despair Dylan was evidently stuck in. Finally, NDY was clearly a conversation/prayer Dylan was having, but "Lord" has been dropped from the beginning of "It's not dark yet" in the final versions.

The final versions are poorer for most of not all the changes. Which are ambiguous, flat, disted, thin, overly manicured and lacking context in comparison.

"I've gone too far down life's beaten track, and I'm praying for the Master to bring me back" is DROPPED. And yet the scorching sincerity with which Dylan sings it tells you EVERYTHING you need to know.

And so many others.

These songs were belted. They ended up being dribbled. They ended up sounding wonderful. But transmitting little beyond that.

The final mixes are a bit bath in shallow water. The original versions are a deep dive to the bottom of an icy lagoon.

They are a cautionary tale to every lover. And as Dylan says "Anything now can happen to anyone." Because he has seen and known the true end of all attachment -Pain.

The final versions are a Hollywood story, in comparison to the impossibility of shielding himself from real life that Dylan is actually experiencing. And only truly communicated in his earlier versions.

Listening to them, I finally heard the album for the first time.

Truly unmissable. The original versions of what is now, for me, since listening to them, Dylan's best album.

And therefore one of the best albums ever written. If not 'the best'

Somewhat surprisingly still available for £200 in the official store.

Sharing the sorrow and emptiness that life offers us along the way. It seems the older one gets the more this collection of songs can help us weather the ride. Heartbreak is inevitable if you open yourself to intimate places inside of us, but these songs offer a light at the end of the tunnel. Neil Young: Only love can break your heart.

The sound is spectacular! Warm and acoustic despite being a Blu-Ray. Highly recommended.

My first impression is that the outtakes are so-so, but the new version of the album is incredible. I love Time Out of Mind, and it has never sounded better. Highly recommended.

Can't fathom why they're releasing Dylan material in Hi-Res with a dynamic range of 5. Save the compression for lossy streams/s, radio and youtube, maybe CD..

But I don't get why you would release a 24/96 which has a main demographic of audiophiles; with the same dire DR levels of other releases. Once again, it's a case of being forced to get the Vinyl release simply because the mastering practices are better.