Bob Dylan's earliest New York tapes have finally been made public, shedding new light on the formative years of one of music's most iconic figures. The recently released collection, "The Bootleg Series Vol. 18: Through the Open Window, 1956-1963," is a treasure trove of previously unheard performances from Dylan's time in Greenwich Village and beyond.
Spanning over seven years, the compilation captures Dylan's early days as a struggling artist, performing at iconic folk clubs like Gerdes Folk City, the Gaslight, Cafe Wha?, and the Bitter End. These intimate settings provide a glimpse into the creative explosion of the Village during the early 1960s, where musicians were pushing the boundaries of traditional music.
Historian Sean Wilentz, who produced the release with Steve Berkowitz and wrote its liner notes, emphasizes that the collection is not just about Dylan's music but also about the cultural context in which he was creating. "We wanted to get a sense of Greenwich Village as much as anything else," Wilentz says. "And the wider Bohemia, but especially Greenwich Village."
The newly released bootleg series takes listeners on a journey through the clubs and cafes where Dylan first performed, offering an unprecedented look at his early years in New York City. The collection includes performances from some of Dylan's most famous songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind," "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall," and "The Times They Are a-Changin'," recorded over 50 years before he would win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Wilentz stresses that the collection is not just about showcasing Dylan's early music but also about telling his story. "The point of this bootleg was not simply to give you a lot of music that you hadn’t heard before, but it was actually to tell a story, to tell the story that had a beginning, middle, and end."
Dylan's rise to fame coincided with a pivotal moment in American history, as the country was on the cusp of change. His music became synonymous with the emerging counterculture movement, and his performances at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall were turning points for both the artist and the world.
The new collection serves as a testament to the power of Dylan's music and its ability to transcend time. As Wilentz puts it, "He wants you to hear him for his music and for his art. That's what's really important."
Spanning over seven years, the compilation captures Dylan's early days as a struggling artist, performing at iconic folk clubs like Gerdes Folk City, the Gaslight, Cafe Wha?, and the Bitter End. These intimate settings provide a glimpse into the creative explosion of the Village during the early 1960s, where musicians were pushing the boundaries of traditional music.
Historian Sean Wilentz, who produced the release with Steve Berkowitz and wrote its liner notes, emphasizes that the collection is not just about Dylan's music but also about the cultural context in which he was creating. "We wanted to get a sense of Greenwich Village as much as anything else," Wilentz says. "And the wider Bohemia, but especially Greenwich Village."
The newly released bootleg series takes listeners on a journey through the clubs and cafes where Dylan first performed, offering an unprecedented look at his early years in New York City. The collection includes performances from some of Dylan's most famous songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind," "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall," and "The Times They Are a-Changin'," recorded over 50 years before he would win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Wilentz stresses that the collection is not just about showcasing Dylan's early music but also about telling his story. "The point of this bootleg was not simply to give you a lot of music that you hadn’t heard before, but it was actually to tell a story, to tell the story that had a beginning, middle, and end."
Dylan's rise to fame coincided with a pivotal moment in American history, as the country was on the cusp of change. His music became synonymous with the emerging counterculture movement, and his performances at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall were turning points for both the artist and the world.
The new collection serves as a testament to the power of Dylan's music and its ability to transcend time. As Wilentz puts it, "He wants you to hear him for his music and for his art. That's what's really important."
... like don't get me wrong Bob Dylan is a legend and all but 50 yrs old bootlegs? feels like we're just gonna be hearing the same songs over & over again 
. idk if i'm missing something here or if its really that deep 
. it seems like they're trying to create some kinda cultural context but honestly isnt that just stuff we already know about 
? dont get me wrong I'll def give it a listen but its not like im gonna be like "WOW WE'VE NEVER HEARD THESE BEFORE!" 
I mean, can you believe all these unreleased tracks are finally out? it's like getting a glimpse into the life of a legend. I love how this collection is more than just his music - it's a window into the culture of Greenwich Village back in the day. it's so cool to hear him perform at those iconic clubs and cafes where he first started out.
"Blowin' in the Wind" is like, my favorite song ever! but I think what's even more amazing is how this collection tells Dylan's story - it's not just about his music, it's about who he was and where he came from.
just heard about this and I'm totally stoked 
these early recordings from Bob Dylan are like a window into the past and I'm loving it 
I mean, can you imagine seeing him perform at places like Gerdes Folk City and the Gaslight? The energy must've been electric 
and to think that some of his most famous songs were recorded back in '63 is just mind-blowing 
this collection is definitely a treasure trove for music lovers and I'm so glad it's finally out there for us to enjoy 
[link to NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/03/15/114442511/bob-dylan-bootleg-series-through-the-open-window-1956-1963)
. It's wild to think about how his music was already influencin' this whole counterculture movement 
. The fact that these tapes are finally public is just amazing - it's like we're gettin' a glimpse into the creative explosion of Greenwich Village during the early '60s 
. I'm totally listening to it nonstop and reliving those crazy days in Greenwich Village through Dylan's music. It's like we're experiencing the same emotions and energy he was feeling at that time 
I'm so excited to dive into these performances and learn more about what inspired him during that time 
And can you even imagine performing at Gerdes Folk City or Cafe Wha?!?!?!?! That's just, like, wow 
What a treasure trove of music history!
. Like, who cares about the Bohemia scene? It's just an excuse to make this collection sound more interesting than it really is 
.
. I mean, who doesn't love the idea of listening to him perform at these iconic clubs like Gerdes Folk City and Cafe Wha? 
it's like we're stepping into a different era, you know?
and this release is like a treasure trove of history, you feel? 
just dropped 70,000+ plays on Spotify in the past 24 hours since the release of Bob Dylan's earliest NY tapes 
! That's like a new song every minute from fans all over the world 
!
his music has always been so influential but hearing these early recordings makes me realize how much of a genius he was even back then 
anyway what i love about this bootleg series is that it's not just about the music, but also about the culture and era in which bob dylan was living 
its like getting a glimpse into history 
like, gerdes folk city and all that jazz 
his music is still fire even after 50 yrs lol