Rough Cuts / Bob Dylan [11 April 1983 - 8 May 1983] Gold Standard, [1993]
Matrix: 57119XK1 SRE-1, 57118XK1 SRE-2)
Stereo
2 CD

Disc One: 76:23

 1. Sweetheart Like You (4:21) [?]
 2. Someone's Got A Hold Of My Heart (5:13) [30]
 3. Lord Protect My Child (4:49) [33]
 4. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground (Willie Nelson) (4:15) [?]
 5. Foot Of Pride (6:08) [29]
 6. Tell Me (4:38) [26]
 7. I And I (5:04) [27]
 8. Union Sundown (5:08) [1]
 9. Julius And Ethel (4:51) [4]
10. Jokerman (6:23) [7]
11. License To Kill (3:38) [9]
12. Man Of Peace (6:33) [10]
13. Don't Fall Apart On Me Tonight (5:54) [12]
14. Neighborhood Bully (9:26) [11] [Or (4:39) really as there is a
    mastering problem and the rest of this "track" is actually most
    of the next track, which is repeated in its entirety on Disc
    Two!]

Disc Two: 68:03

15. Blind Willie McTell (Electric) (4:44) [34]
16. This Was My Love (Take 1) (Jim Harbert) (3:58) [32]
17. This Was My Love (Take 2) (Jim Harbert) (4:16) [?]
18. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground (Willie Nelson) (4:40) [?]
19. Dark Groove (2:50) [?]
20. Don"t Fly Unless It's Safe [Don't Fly Unless It's Safe] (3:16) [?]
21. Clean Cut Kid [Clean-Cut Kid] (6:49) [1]
22. Death Is Not The End (5:05) [5]
23. Sweetheart Like You (4:15) [?]
24. Union Sundown (Take 2) (6:43) [3]
25. The "Sweetheart" Rehearsals [Sweetheart Like You] (21:25) [?]

(1-25) The Power Station, New York City, New York, 11 April - 8 May 1983. [693] Infidels (1983) out-takes.
(5, 11, 12) Same as released versions - probably rough mixes.
(7) Released version but without the overdub (the line "Waitin' for somethin' to crack" was overdubbed with "Smokin' down the track" for the final "Infidels" album version)
(8) Mostly instrumental, with Dylan "da-da"ing along, singing only the chorus.
(19, 20) Instrumentals that surfaced in 1993 on what was called by some "The Mystery Tape."
(22) Same as released version, backing vocals by "Full Force."

"Bob Dylan: guitar/harmonica/keyboards, Sly Dunbar: drums/percussion, Robbie Shakespeare: bass, Mark Knopfler: guitar, Alan Clark: keyboards". (Mick Taylor is not credited, though he plays during The "Sweetheart" Rehearsals because Bob comments about his headphones: "Mick I don't hear at all..." - unless he meant he couldn't hear him because he wasn't there! :-)

This CD contains all the "new" circulating tracks detailed in Olof's posting - the new "Sweetheart Like You" (1), "Lord Protect My Child" (3), the new "Angel Flying To Close To The Ground" (probably 18), "Foot Of Pride" (5) and "Union Sundown" (8). I am unable to confirm whether "Julius And Ethel" (9) is the new better quality version since I do not have the earlier circulating tape.

[Note: OV = official version]

General sound quality is truly excellent, very full stereo sound. There is *some* hiss present throughout but this is only really evident during quiet moments. (There are exceptions which are detailed below.)

Sweetheart Like You
The mood is very different to the "Infidels" version with a subtely softer arrangement. Dylan's vocal is truly heartbreaking, ending most lines with a downward emphasis. He doesn't raise his voice as much compared to the OV and sounds a little resigned. I probably prefer this version to the OV. There are some different lyrics.

Someone's Got A Hold Of My Heart
This is not the same as The Bootleg Series version (OV). There is an electric backing and the vocal is sung more as single lines than sentences or verses. Lyrics don't differ much from the OV, the only major change being "flaming red wig" instead of "powder blue." I'm gradually getting used to this version but it doesn't equal the quality of performance in the OV.

Lord Protect My Child
Same as Bootleg Series, though is preceded by some speech. Someone in the control booth announces "Take four." We then hear Dylan say, "Let's do it that way [brief guitar strumming]. Ready? One, two, (go ahead Alan), three, four." Why was this track included...?

Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground
The track starts with a drum tapping and Dylan saying, "All right, let's go. One, *Sly*, two..." Sly Dunbar continues, "Two, three.." I assume this track is the same one as released as the 'B' side to "Union Sundown" on 28 October in Europe only.

Foot Of Pride
Same as The Bootleg Series version. Again, why was this track included...?

Tell Me
A softer instumental feel to the OV and some different lyrics. On the back cover, this track is listed as "I And I."

I And I
Before the song starts we hear Dylan say, "slept in *my* bed." This is the same as the OV but with some echo (especially on the first couple of guitar licks) and without the overdub (the line "or for something to crack" was later replaced by "smokin' down the track" - a good decision IMHO). On the back cover, this track is listed as "Tell Me."

Union Sundown
This is an instrumental with Dylan "da-da"ing through the most of the verses, singing only the chorus. The driving guitar present throughout the OV is mixed very low here and it sounds better for it. A surprisingly listenable track despite the absence of lyrics.

Julius And Ethel
I wasn't so keen on this performance at first but it sounding better and better after each listen. Incidentally, has this been proven to be a Dylan composition, or is it just assumed to be so?

Jokerman
Alternate version with some lyric differences.

License To Kill
Man Of Peace
Rough mixes of OV's, with heavier sounding drums.

Don't Fall Apart On Me Tonight
Alternate version with same lyrics (although "St. James Street" becomes "Napoleon Street"). Dylan's harmonica playing is different, consisting of a few short but effective bursts. The major change here is Dylan's vocal. He sounds like he's experimenting with different styles and pronunciations all within the same song and IMHO it just doesn't work. He's trying to do too many things at once and it ends up sounding like he can't sing at all. Of course, this performance should be put into its correct context: an unreleased studio take.

Neighborhood Bully
This is probably a rough mix of OV but it's not easy to decide. The addition of the song "Blind Willie McTell (Electric)" to the end of this track without any track division is careless. At least the track is repeated properly on disc two, meaning it can actually be selected by the CD player.

Blind Willie McTell (Electric)
Lyrics are unchanged. The track starts off with some piano playing (less dramatic than the OV) and Dylan singing the verses. The vocal style is more varied than the OV. There's some tapping during the second verse and then the backing band comes in. Dylan plays some excellent harmonica. The track starts off slightly uncertain but really gets going once the band starts playing.
The music for Blind Willie McTell (15) is of course St. James Infirmary, and it can be worth comparing the content with Richard "Rabbit" Brown's James Alley Blues. Bob Dylan has performed James Alley Blues at least twice, on the Minnesota Party Tape 1961 [004] and on the Second McKenzie Tape [040] in April 1963. Richard "Rabbit" Brown is mentioned as a Dylan influence on the sleeve notes to Bob Dylan (1962).

This Was My Love (Take 1)
This Was My Love (Take 2)
The first take is of slightly inferior sound quality but the second is excellent. The performance is truly excellent, Dylan vocal being particularly sensitive. This track would have fit well on the "Down In The Groove" album (this is meant to be a compliment :-)

Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground
There is a split-second fall out during this track. Is this present on the circulating recording or is it a mastering error?

Dark Groove
Don"t Fly Unless It's Safe [Don't Fly Unless It's Safe]
Both tracks are instrumentals. These surfaced on the "Mystery Tape" - have they been confirmed as Infidels outtakes? Does Dylan play on these tracks?

Clean Cut Kid [Clean-Cut Kid]
Some different lyrics and an excellent performance which is without a doubt superior to the "Empire Burelesque" version. Dylan's vocal is much more interesting, as is the the backing. The problem is this is a poor quality recording, sounding very flat with too much bass. This makes the track uncomfortable to listen to, especially when it is amongst some excellent quality tracks. Does this take exist in better quality?

Death Is Not The End
Same as released version but with heavier drums towards the end. The only reason I can think of for the inclusion of this track is to fill out the CD. Quality is not as good as for the other tracks, hissing being a little louder.

Sweetheart Like You
Some different lyrics:

They say that oppression is a cruel tutor
And injustice is a nurse.
You can put your hand in the hand of the man with the nose that can't smell
But you put your confidence in him, and that's worse.
Snap out of it, baby, people are jealous of you,
They smile to your face, but behind your back they hiss.
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?

and a good performance, closer to the OV than the previous version. The third line sounds better than it reads :-) The background hiss is a little more evident on this track.

Union Sundown (Take 2)
Very different lyrics and a wonderful performance. As with "Clean-Cut Kid", Dylan's vocal is much better than on the OV as is also the case with the backing. The shame is this is a poor quality recording, sounding very flat with too much bass. Does this take exist in better quality?

The "Sweetheart" Rehearsals [Sweetheart Like You]
This track is over 21 minutes long (and so, it follows, so shall be my commentary :-) It's more a curiosity than a track you'd play for the performances mainly because of the lack of CD track definitions. Sound quality is *slightly* inferior but is still clear. There are several run-throughs of the song, Dylan saying to the control booth at one point, "Yeah, you can roll over most of this stuff," meaning they should keep the tapes recording. Despite this, there are some cuts in the recording. Does anyone know if this CD covers *all* the circulating "Sweetheart Like You" takes?
At one point Dylan comments:
"Neil, remember we were, that, that 'Clean-Cut Kid' from, the, not the last time we were tryin' it but earlier, remember, the first night we tried it? I wanna hear that third one, the last one. Uh, uh, not the one that you didn't get, the one earlier than that. [pause] Right, okay. You got that."
So there are *3* "Clean-Cut Kid" takes but only *one* circulating...?
There is a wonderful moment that illustrates Dylan's gift for improvising lyrics. One take starts with "The boss ain't here / He gone north, he gone north" but then stops, Dylan having forgotten the words, saying, "No wait a second. That ain't right." He hums to himself, there's some guitar strumming and then he starts again. This time he sings the following wonderfully unique lyrics (the bracketed words are dummy lyrics):

Well, the boss ain't here,
He gone North, I can't remember where.
He caught the red-eyed, left on time
He's startin' a grave-yard up there.
By the way, that's a cute hat,
And that smile's so hard to resist
But what's a sweetheart like you doin' in a dump like this?

You know I took my clothes down to Red River to be washed
[Canner them be none].
Within a quarter of an hour
They on good terms with everyone.
If you gotta [me] deal, make the queen disappear,
It's all done with the flick of the wrist.
What's a sweetheart like you doin' in a dump like this?

You know a woman like you should be at home,
That's where you belong,
Taking care of somebody nice
Who don't know how to do you wrong.
You look to me like a royalty
There's a though I can't dismiss.
What's a sweetheart like you doin' in a dump like this?

You know you can make a name for yourself,
You can hear them tires squeal,
You can be known as the most beautiful woman
Who ever crawled 'cross cut glass to make a deal.

They say that oppression is a cruel tutor
And injustice is a nurse.
[Fabb-e to do it fallen]
[Ah] to introduce him to him first
No matter how much you've got it's not enough
The price just don't exist
What's a sweetheart like you doin' in a dump like this?

Got to be important person to be in here, honey
Got to have done some worthless deed.
Got to have your own harem when you come in the door,
Got to be able to play your harp until your lips bleed.

They say that patriotism is the last refuge,
To which a scoundrel clings.
Steal a little and they throw you in jail,
Steal a lot and they make you a king.
There's only one step down from here, [honey].
It's called the land of permanent bliss.
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?

[With the band still playing, Dylan says, "Yeah, that's a good bass part." Then, not long after he brings the song to an end, saying, "Let's try it again. I think it's getting close, the bass part is getting right now. It's got the feel, you know, just on that last part."]
After this take an instrumental is played that sounds nothing like "Sweetheart Like You." The recording then cuts right into the start of another take of "Sweetheart Like You." This makes me wonder whether the instrumental belongs on this particular track. Does it have a name and should it even be here?

GENERAL COMMENTS and QUESTIONS:

Overall, this is an nice CD in excellent quality with some truly great performances. This is despite it being seemingly hastely put together (ie. "Blind Willie McTell" at the end of disc one and the mislabelled track listing) and the officially released tracks. Also, they could have put all the different takes of the same songs together.

Is this double CD a *complete* recording of *all* circulating "Infidels" alternates, rough mixes and outtakes?

TOWNSEND NUMBER: 345-346
PERFORMANCE: 8
SOUND: 8 (Tracks (21, 24) rated as: 5)
RECOMMENDATION: 7 Cf T-146, T-205. Recommended if you like "Infidels"