This is probably the most famous and influential set of songs ever recorded in a basement - okay, maybe Exile on Main Street ranks up there too. Still this is an amazing collection of music from Dylan and the Band, chilling out, smoking dope, playing covers and originals. You can hear a ramshackle, laid-back ease and joy in the tracks. And what's funny and amazing, Dylan pretty much walked away from this music and moved on to other things.
These were raw tracks, not meant to see the light of day. And some of the songs are among the greatest songs Dylan ever wrote: Tears of Rage, I Shall Be Released, Goin to Acapulco, Sign on the Cross, I'm Not There, Clothes Line Saga. And some of them were never played again. Amazing. There is just an overpowering sense of creativity, oozing from every last track. Some of the tracks are messy, and there are false starts, and there's laughter, and that all makes it that much more exciting and mind-blowing. You hear Dylan relaxed and having fun, playing with his greatest backing band - just for the hell of it.
Love some of the covers they do too: Big River, You Win Again, Folsom Prison Blues...
The absolute complete best!