Bob Dylan: The Recording Sessions

Part Three

by Michael Krogsgaard
I am sorry that Part Three of this series of articles had to be postponed from the last issue of The Telegraph. When I went back to continue my researches in New York, I found that I had to spend a great deal of time sorting out all the losse ends from the two previous articles and in doing so I found that I didn't have enough time to work on the post-1971 stuff. Consequently, there was not enough information to complete Part Three.

This is no longer the case. So, in the article you're about to read, the intriguing question raised a couple of issues ago about how many versions there are of Joey can be finally answered, as we concentrate on the recording sessions for three major Bob Dylan albums: Planet Waves, Blood on the Tracks and Desire.

As in the previous articles, the listings of take-numbers and false starts/complete takes are copied directly from the recording sheets. On many of the sheets from these sessions, however, the authorised Columbia markings of "b", "B" and "C" were not used. I have assumed that when a take is marked "FS": it means "false start", that "IC" means "Incomplete" and so on. However, to prevent the possibility of my misinterpreting the markings, I have listed them exactly as they appear on the recording sheets.

However, before we start, we must briefly go back to 1969 for a short deja vu. It was mentioned when this series started that all the major and minor mistakes that have inevitably occurred because of the considerable difficulties in researching the information in these articles will be corrected in an addenum at the end of the series. An exception is the information about the Nashvile Skyline sessions., which was omitted last time, but which has since become available. Here's what went on:

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
Nashville, Tennessee
February 13, 1969, 6:00-9:00 pm, and 9:00-12 midnight

Produced by Bob Johnston

1. To Be Alone With You              CO98922           Take 1C
2. To Be Alone With You                                Take 2b
3. To Be Alone With You                                Take 3b
4. To Be Alone With You                                Take 4C
5. To Be Alone With You                                Take 5b
6. To Be Alone With You                                Take 6C
7. To Be Alone With You                                Take 7B
8. To Be Alone With You                                Take 8C
9. I Threw It All Away               CO98923           Take 1C
10. I Threw It All Away                                Take 2B
11. I Threw It All Away                                Take 3b
12. I Threw It All Away                                Take 4C

13 Blues                             CO98926           Take 1C

14. One More Night                   CO98924           Take 1C
15. One More Night                                     Take 2B
16. One More Night                                     Take 3B
17. One More Night                                     Take 4
18. One More Night                                     Take 5B
19. One More Night                                     Take 6C

20. Lay, Lady, Lay                   CO98925           Take 1C
21. Lay, Lady, Lay                                     Take 2C
22. Lay, Lady, Lay                                     Take 3B
23. Lay, Lady, Lay                                     Take 4C

14-19 "No Light Will Shine On Me" on recording sheet.

Musicians: Charlie McCoy (bass), Robert S. Wilson (piano and organ), Charlie Daniels (guitar and dobro), Norman L. Blake (guitar), Kenneth Buttrey (drums) and Kelton D. Herston (probably guitar) 9-12: Pete Drake (steel guitar) and Wayne Moss (guitar).
Kelson Herston, Pete Drake and Wayne Moss are not listed on the 8-track identification charts.

4,12 and 19 released on Nashville Skyline.

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
Nashville, Tennessee
February 14, 1969, 6:00-9:00 pm, and 9:00-12 midnight

Produced by Bob Johnston

1. Peggy Day                       CO98927              Take 1C
2. Peggy Day                                            Take 2B
3. Peggy Day                                            Take 3C

4. Tell Me That It Isn't True      CO98928              Take 1FS
5. Tell Me That It Isn't True                           Take 2C
6. Tell Me That It Isn't True                           Take 3C
7. Tell Me That It Isn't True                           Take 4FS
8. Tell Me That It Isn't True                           Take 5FS
9. Tell Me That It Isn't True                           Take 6C
10. Tell Me That It Isn't True                          Take 7FS
11. Tell Me That It Isn't True                          Take 8

12. Country Pie                    CO98929              Take 1C
13. Country Pie                                         Take 2C

14. Lay, Lady Lay                  CO98930              Take 1C
15. Lay, Lady Lay                                       Take 2BD
16. Lay, Lady Lay                                       Take 3BD
17. Lay, Lady Lay                                       Take 4C
18. Lay, Lady Lay                                       Take 5C

Musicians: Charlie McCoy (bass), Charlie Daniels (guitar and dobro), Kenneth Buttrey (drums), Norman L. Blake (guitar), Robert S. Wilson (piano and organ), Pete Drake (steel guitar) and Kelton D. Herston (probably guitar) 9-12: and Wayne Moss (guitar).
Kelson D. Herston and Wayne Moss are not listed on the 8-track identification charts.

3, 13 and 18 released on Nashville Skyline.
6 or 9 or 11 released on Nashville Skyline.

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
Nashville, Tennessee
February 17, 1969, 2:00-5:00 pm

Produced by Bob Johnston

1. Nashville Skyline Rag            CO98931             Take 1C
2. Nashville Skyline Rag                                Take 2C

3. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
                                    CO98932             Take 1C
4. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You                Take 2C
5. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You                Take 3b
6. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You                Take 4b
7. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You                Take 5C
7. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You                Take 6B
9. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You                Take 7b
10. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You               Take 8C
11. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You               Take 9b
12. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You               Take 10b
13. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You               Take 11C

14. One Too Many Mornings           CO98933             Take 1B
15. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 2C
16. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 3b
17. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 4b
18. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 5b
19. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 1C
20. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 2b
21. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 3b
22. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 4B
23. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 5C
24. One Too Many Mornings                               Take 6C

25. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash/Roy Cash jr.)
                                   CO98934              Take 1B
26. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash/Roy Cash jr.)     Take 2b
27. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash/Roy Cash jr.)     Take 3b
28. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash/Roy Cash jr.)     Take 4b
29. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash/Roy Cash jr.)     Take 5C
30. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash/Roy Cash jr.)     Take 6C
31. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash/Roy Cash jr.)     Take 7C

32. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right/Understand Your Man
                                   CO98935              Take 1b
33. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right/Understand Your Man
                                                        Take 2b
34. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right/Understand Your Man
                                                        Take 3C

1 and 2 "Instrumental (Nashville Rag)" on recording sheet.

Musicians: Charlie McCoy (bass), Robert S. Wilson (piano), Norman L. Blake (guitar), Charlie E. Daniels (guitar), Pete Drake (steel guitar), Kenneth Buttrey (drums), and Hargus Robbins (piano).
3-5: Johnny Cash (shared vocals).

2 and 7 released on Nashville Skyline.
23 or 24 released in the video "Johnny Cash, The Man And His Music"

The Feburary 18 session has been listed earlier in detail. So the old rumour that Dylan and Cash recorded Understand Your Man held true. Apparently it was a duet, where each one was singing a different song: Don't Think Twice, It's All Right and Understand Your Man (the melody is, of course, the same).


So, with the Nashville Skyline sessions straightened out, we can proceed. Chronologically, we should really go to Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid now, as we ended with George Jackson last time. These sessions will be dealt with later, though, and instead of going to Mexico City we're heading for West Los Angeles, in the year of 1973.

Studio B
The Village Recorder
West Los Angeles, California
November 2, 1973, 12:00-3:00 pm, 3:30-6:30 pm and 7:00-10:00 pm.

Engineer: Rob Fraboni

1. Instrumental                                         Take 1C

2. Never Say Goodbye                                    Take 1C
3. Never Say Goodbye                                    Take 2FS
4. Never Say Goodbye                                    Take 3C
5. Never Say Goodbye                                    Take 4C
6. Never Say Goodbye                                    Take 5FS
7. Never Say Goodbye                                    Take 6C
8. Never Say Goodbye                                    Take 7C

9. March Around the Dinner Table (Instrumental)

10. Dinner (Instrumental?)                              Take 1C

11. Garth Piano Tune (Instrumental?)                    Take 1C

12. Crosswind Jamboree (Instrumental)                   Take 1C

13. House of the Risin' Sun                             Take 1FS
14. House of the Risin' Sun                             Take 2

15. Nobody 'Cept You                                    Take 1C

16. Crosswind Jamboree (Instrumental)                   Take 1C

17. Forever Young                                       Take 1C

1: "Tune #1" on recording sheet.
2-8: "Tune #2" on recording sheet.
9 and 12: "Tune #3" on recording sheet.
11: "Garth Pno" on recording sheet.
15: "Nobody Except You" on recording sheet.
16: "Cross Fire" corrected to "Jamboree" on recording sheet.

9 and 10: Probably Levon Helm (drums), Richard Manuel (piano) and Robbie Robertson (electric guitar).
11: Probably Garth Hudson (piano).
Bob Dylan is nor performing on 9-11.

Musicians: Garth Hudson (organ), Richard Manuel (piano), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Rick Danko (bass), and Levon Helm (drums).

8 released on Planet Waves.
15 released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 1-3.

Unfortunately, five of the 22 16-track master tapes were not available for examination this time. It is therefore not possible to give a complete track listing for the session on November 5.

Studio B
The Village Recorder
West Los Angeles, California
November 5, 1973, 1:00-4:00 pm, 5:00-8:00 pm, and 8:30-11:30 pm.

Engineer: Rob Fraboni

1. You Angel You                                        Take 4C

2. Going, Going, Gone                                   Take 5C

3. Forever Young                                        Take 2C

1:00 - 4:00: Forever Young and Nobody 'Cept You recorded.
5:00 - 8:00: Something There Is About You and Tough Mama recorded.
8:30 - 11:30: Tough Mama and Hazel recorded.

Musicians: Robbie Robertson (guitar), Rick Danko (bass), Levon Helm (drums), Garth Hudson (organ) and Richard Manuel (piano).

1 and 2 released on Planet Waves.

Studio B
The Village Recorder
West Los Angeles, California
November 6, 1973, 12:00-5:00 pm, and 5:30-10:30 pm.

Engineer: Rob Fraboni

1. On a Night Like This                                 Take 1C
2. On a Night Like This                                 Take 2C
3. On a Night Like This                                 Take 3C
4. On a Night Like This (slow)                          Take 4C
5. On a Night Like This                                 Take 5C
6. On a Night Like This                                 Take 6FS
7. On a Night Like This (fast)                          Take 7C

8. Hazel                                                Take 1C
9. Hazel                                                Take 2C
10. Hazel                                               Take 1C
11. Hazel                                               Take 1C
12. Hazel                                               Take 1C

13. Short Jam

14. Hazel                                               Take 6FS
15. Hazel                                               Take 7C
16. Hazel                                               Take 8C

17. Tough Mama                                          Take 1SFS
18. Tough Mama                                          Take 2SFS
19. Tough Mama                                          Take 3SFS
20. Tough Mama                                          Take 4C
21. Tough Mama                                          Take 5C
22. Tough Mama                                          Take 6C
23. Tough Mama                                          Take 7C

24. Something There Is About You                        Take 1C
25. Something There Is About You                        Take 2inc
26. Something There Is About You                        Take 3C

1-7: "A Night Like This" on recording sheet.

Musicians: Levon Helm (drums), Garth Hudson (organ), Richard Manuel (piano), Robbie Robertson (guitar) and Rick Danko (bass).

16, 21 and 26 released on Planet Waves.

Studio B
The Village Recorder
West Los Angeles, California
November 8, 1973, 1:00-6:00 pm, and 7:00-10:00 pm.

Engineer: Rob Fraboni

1. Going, Going, Gone                                   Take 1C
2. Going, Going, Gone                                   Take 2C
3. Going, Going, Gone                                   Take 3C

4. On a Night Like This                                 Take 1SFS
5. On a Night Like This                                 Take 1aC
6. On a Night Like This                                 Take 2C
7. Forever Young                                        Take 1C
8. Forever Young                                        Take 2C
9. Forever Young                                        Take 3A SFS
10. Forever Young                                       Take 3B SFS
11. Forever Young                                       Take 3CC

1-3: "Goin Goin Gone" on recording sheet.

7-11 "Ken" on congas.

Musicians: Richard Manuel (piano), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Rick Danko (bass), Levon Helm (drums) andGarth Hudson (organ).

6 and probably 11 released on Planet Waves.

Studio B
The Village Recorder
West Los Angeles, California
November 9 or 10, 1973.

Engineer: Rob Fraboni

1. Wedding Song                                        Take 1C

2. Adalita                                             Take 1C
3. Adalita                                             Take 2C

4. Forever Young                                       Take 1C

1. Bob Dylan solo.
2-4: Harry Dean Stanton guitar and perhaps vocals on 2 and 3.

Tape box says November 10, 1973. Recording sheet says November 9, 1973.

1 released on Planet Waves.

Village Recorder
West Los Angeles, California
November 13, 1973, 10:00-1:00 pm, 1:30-4:30 pm,
5:00-8:00 pm, and 8:30-11:30 pm.

There are no tapes nor recording sheets for this session, which probably didn't take place, even though there are contracts with the musicians for the hours listed. This could be payment for rehearsals.

Musicians: Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel.

Studio B
The Village Recorder
West Los Angeles, California
November 14, 1973.

Engineer: Rob Fraboni

1. Forever Young                                       Take 1C
2. Forever Young                                       Take 2C
3. Forever Young                                       Take 3C
4. Forever Young                                       Take 4C
5. Forever Young                                       Take 5C

6. Dirge                                               Take 1C

6: "Dirge for Martha" on recording sheet.

1-3 Levon Helm (mandolin), Richard Manuel (drums), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Rick Danko (bass), Garth Hudson (organ).
4 & 5 Robbie Robertson (mandolin), Rick Danko (fiddle), Levon Helm (drums), Richard Manuel (piano) and Garth Hudson (organ).
6 Bob Dylan on piano, Robbie Robertson (guitar).

6 and probably 2 released on Planet Waves.


A huge American tour and nearly a year later, Dylan went back to New York to record Blood On The Tracks. The album was to have an unusual recording history - Dylan changing his recording horses in mid-stream - but, as we all know, it turned out to be one of his greatest records of all.

Studio A
A & R Recording
New York City, New York
September 16, 1974, 6 pm-midnight.

Produced by Bob Dylan
Engineers: Phil & Lenn

1. If You See Her, Say Hello                           Take 1C
2. If You See Her, Say Hello                           Take 2C

3. You're A Big Girl Now                               Take 1C
4. You're A Big Girl Now                               Take 2C

5. Simple Twist Of Fate                                Take 1
6. Simple Twist Of Fate                                Take 2C

7. You're A Big Girl Now                               Take 3C

8. Up To Me                                            Take 1C

9. Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts               Take 1C

10. Simple Twist Of Fate                               Take 1C
11. Simple Twist Of Fate                               Take 2x
12. Simple Twist Of Fate                               Take 3C

13. Call Letter Blues                                  Take 1C
14. Meet Me In The Morning                             Take 2C
15. Call Letter Blues                                  Take 3C

16. Idiot Wind                                         Take 1C
17. Idiot Wind                                         Take 2x
18. Idiot Wind                                         Take 3x
19. Idiot Wind (Insert)                                Take 4
20. Idiot Wind                                         Take 5x
21. Idiot Wind                                         Take 6C

22. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go          Take 1x
23. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go          Take 2x
24. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go          Take 3x
25. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go          Take 4C
26. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go          Take 5C
27. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go          Take 6x
28. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go          Take 7x
29. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go          Take 8C

30. Tangled Up In Blue                                 Take 1x

3 & 4 "Your A Big Girl" on recording sheet.
5 & 10 "Simple Twist A'Fate" on recording sheet.
9 "Jack Of Hearts" on recording sheet.

Musicians: The recording sheets say that track 10 and the following tracks were recorded "with band". On the other tracks Bob Dylan was backed by some of the musicians. Eric Weissberg (guitar), Tony Brown (bass), Richard Crooks (drums), Barry Kornfeld (guitar), Thomas McFaul (keyboards) and Charles III Brown (guitar).

21 overdubbed October 8, 1974.

9 and (in overdubbed version) 21 released on the test pressing of Blood On The Tracks.
14 released on the test pressing and the final version of Blood On The Tracks.
2, 15 and 30 released on The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3.

Studio A
A & R Recording
New York City, New York
September 17, 1974, 7 pm-1 am.

Produced by Bob Dylan
Engineers: Phil & Lenn

1. You're A Big Girl Now                               Take 1C
2. You're A Big Girl Now                               Take 2C

3. Tangled Up In Blue                                  Take 1C

4. ?                                                   Take 1x
5. Blues (incomplete)                                  Take 1x

6. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go           Take 1C

7. Shelter From The Storm                              Take 1C
8. Shelter From The Storm                              Take 2

9. Buckets Of Rain                                     Take 1C

10. Tangled Up In Blue                                 Take 2C

11. Buckets Of Rain                                    Take 2C

12. Shelter From The Storm (slow)                      Take 2C
13. Shelter From The Storm (fast)                      Take 3x
14. Shelter From The Storm                             Take 4C

15. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go (slow)   Take 1C
16. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go (fast)   Take 2C

6, 15 & 16 "Lonesome" on recording sheet.
7, 8 & 12-14 "Shelter" on recording sheet.
10 "Tangled Up" on recording sheet.

Musicians: Tony Brown (bass) and Paul Griffin (organ).

2 released on the testpressing of Blood On The Tracks.
14 and 16 released on the test pressing and the final version of Blood On The Tracks.

Studio A
A & R Recording
New York City, New York
September 18, 1974, 4-8 pm.

Produced by Bob Dylan
Engineers: Phil & Lenn

1. Buckets Of Rain                                     Take 1x
2. Buckets Of Rain                                     Take 2C

Remix of the previous sessions was done on this day.

An overdub of Meet Me In The Morning and You're A Big Girl Now may have been done during this session.

Musicians: Buddy Cage (steel guitar).

Studio A
A & R Recording
New York City, New York
September 19, 1974, 7 pm-3 am.

Produced by Bob Dylan
Engineers: Phil & Lenn

1. Up To Me                                            Take 1x
2. Up To Me                                            Take 2C

3. Buckets Of Rain                                     Take 1C
4. Buckets Of Rain                                     Take 2I
5. Buckets Of Rain                                     Take 2I
6. Buckets Of Rain                                     Take 4C

7. If You See Her, Say Hello                           Take 1C

8. Up To Me                                            Take 1IC
9. Up To Me                                            Take 2C
10. Up To Me                                           Take 3C

11. Meet Me In The Morning                             Take 1
12. Meet Me In The Morning                             Take 2C

13. Buckets Of Rain                                    Take ?C

14. Tangled Up In Blue                                 Take 1IC
15. Tangled Up In Blue                                 Take 2IC
16. Tangled Up In Blue                                 Take 3C

17. Simple Twist Of Fate                               Take 1FS
18. Simple Twist Of Fate                               Take 2C
19. Simple Twist Of Fate                               Take 3C

20. Up To Me                                           Take 1IC
21. Up To Me                                           Take 2C

22. Idiot Wind                                         Take 1IC
23. Idiot Wind                                         Take 2IC
24. Idiot Wind                                         Take 3IC
25. Idiot Wind                                         Take 4C

26. You're A Big Girl Now 

27. Meet Me In The Morning                             NS IC
28. Meet Me In The Morning                             NS IC
29. Meet Me In The Morning                             Take 3FS
30. Meet Me In The Morning                             Take 4FS
31. Meet Me In The Morning                             NS IC
32. Meet Me In The Morning                             Take 5FS

33. Tangled Up In Blue                                 Take 1IC
34. Tangled Up In Blue                                 Take 2IC
35. Tangled Up In Blue                                 NS C

14-16 "Tango" on recording sheet.

Musicians: Tony Brown (bass).

7 and 15 or 16 released on the test pressing of Blood On The Tracks.
6 and 19 released on the test pressing and final version of Blood On The Tracks.
21 released on Biograph.
25 released on The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3.

Studio A
A & R Recording
New York City, New York
October 8, 1974, 10 am-2:30 pm.
Overdub session.

1. Idiot Wind                                          Take 4C

Musicians: Paul Griffin (organ).

Basic track recorded September 16, 1974 (take 6).

Released on the test pressing of Blood On The Tracks.


After the test pressing of Blood On The Tracks had been made and sent out to a few journalists, Dylan decided to re-record five of the songs in Minnesota with his brother as the producer. The master tapes and recording sheets were not available this time, so the full listings will be given later.

Sound 80
Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 27, 1974, 5 hours.

Produced by David Zimmerman

1. Idiot Wind

2. You're A Big Girl Now

Musicians: Greg Inhofer (keyboards), Bill Peterson (bass), Bill Berg (drums) and Chris Weber (guitar).

Released on the final version of Blood On The Tracks.

Sound 80
Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 30, 1974.

Produced by David Zimmerman

1. Tangled Up In Blue

2. Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts

3. If You See Her Say Hello

Musicians: 6 hours: Greg Inhofer (keyboards), Bill Berg (drums) and Chris Weber (guitar). 4 hours: Bill Peterson (bass). 3 hours: Peter Ostroushko (?) and Kevin Odegard (guitar).

Released on the final version of Blood On The Tracks.


With Blood On The Tracks, Dylan had to go through several quite unproductive recording sessions before the ones which produced what he wanted. This was also the case with Desire, as only one song on the album came out of the first three sessions.

Studio E
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
July 14, 1975, 7 pm-5:30 am.

Produced by Don DeVito


1. Rita Mae                                            Take 1C
2. Rita Mae                                            Take 2C
3. Rita Mae                                            Take 3B
4. Rita Mae                                            Take 3C
5. Rita Mae                                            Take 4b
6. Rita Mae                                            Take 4C
7. Rita Mae                                            Take 5C

8. Joey                                                Take 1
9. Joey                                                Take 2C
10. Joey (Insert)                                               
11. Joey (Insert)                                      Take 1
12. Joey (Insert)                                      Take 2
13. Joey                                               Take 3b
14. Joey                                               Take 4b
15. Joey                                               Take 5b
16. Joey                                               Take 6b
17. Joey                                               Take 7C

1-7 "Rita May" on recording sheet.
8-17 "Joie" on recording sheet.

Musicians: Dave Mason (guitar), Vincent Bell (mandolin), Gerald Johnson (bass), Rick Jaeger (drums), Domonic Cortese (accordion), Jim Krueger (guitar), mark Jordan (keyboard, piano, organ), James Whiting "Sugarblue" (harmonica), Scarlet Rivera (violin) and Vivian Cherry, Hilda Harris & Joshie Armstead (backing vocals).

Studio E
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
July 28, 1975, 7 pm-4 am.

Produced by Don DeVito

1. Romance In Durango                CO121706          Take 1C

2. Money Blues                       CO121707          Take 1C

3. One More Cup Of Coffee            CO121708          Take 1C

4. Romance In Durango                CO121706          Take 2C

5. Oh, Sister                        CO121709          Take 1C

6. Catfish                           CO121710          Take 1b
7. Catfish                                             Take 2C

8. Romance In Durango                CO121706          Take 3b
9. Romance In Durango                                  Take 4b
10. Romance In Durango                                 Take 5C
11. Romance In Durango                                 Take 6C

12. Catfish                          CO121710          Take 3C

13. Hurricane                        CO121711          Take 1C
14. Hurricane                                          Take 2C
15. Hurricane                                          Take 3C

1, 4 and 8-11 "Derango" on recording sheet.
3 "Untitled, Valley Below" on recording sheet.
5 "O'Sister" on recording sheet.

Musicians: EmmyLou Harris (vocal), Vincent Bell (2: Bellzouki, 3: electric guitar), Rob Rothstein (1: bass), Erik Frandsen (slide guitar), Michael Lawrence (trumpet), Dominic Cortese (accordion), John Sussewell (drums), Scarlet Rivera (violin), James Whiting (harmonica), Perry Lederman (guitar), Eric Clapton (guitar), Sheena Seidenberg, Mel Collins (tenor sax), Neil T. Hubbard (guitar), Alan Spenner (bass), Jody Linscott (percussion), Tony O'Malley (keyboards), James Mullen (guitar) and Paddie McHugh, Francis Collins & Dyan Birch (vocals).

13-15 erased December 7, 1976.

4 released on Desire.

Studio E
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
July 29, 1975, 7 pm-3 am.

Produced by Don DeVito


1. Black Diamond Bay                 CO121712          Take 1C

2. Money Blues                       CO121707          Take 1C

3. Black Diamond Bay                 CO121712          Take 2b
4. Black Diamond Bay                                   Take 3B
5. Black Diamond Bay                                   Take 4C
6. Black Diamond Bay                                   Take 5b
7. Black Diamond Bay                                   Take 6b
8. Black Diamond Bay                                   Take 7b
9. Black Diamond Bay                                   Take 8C
10. Black Diamond Bay                                  Take 9b
11. Black Diamond Bay                                  Take 10b
12. Black Diamond Bay                                  Take 11C
13. Black Diamond Bay                                  Take 12C

14. Oh, Sister                       CO121709          Take 1C
15. Oh, Sister                                         Take 2b
16. Oh, Sister                                         Take 3b
17. Oh, Sister                                         Take 4b
18. Oh, Sister                                         Take 5C
19. Oh, Sister                                         Take 6b
20. Oh, Sister                                         Take 7b
21. Oh, Sister                                         Take 8C

22. Mozambique                       CO121713          Take 1B
23. Mozambique                                         Take 2C
24. Mozambique                                         Take 3C
25. Mozambique                                         Take 4C
26. Mozambique                                         Take 5b
27. Mozambique                                         Take 6B
28. Mozambique                                         Take 7C

29. Catfish                          CO121710          Take 1C
30. Catfish                                            Take 2C

Musicians: EmmyLou Harris (vocal), Vincent Bell (guitar & mandolin), Rob Rothstein (bass), Michael Lawrence (trumpet), John Sussewell (drums), Scarlet Rivera (violin), James Whiting (harmonica), Jody Linscott (percussion), Hugh McCracken (slide guitar), Sheena Seidenberg (tambourine), Tony O'Malley (keyboards) and Mel Collins (tenor sax).

29 or 30 released on The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3.

Studio E
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
July 30, 1975, 8 pm-8 am.

Produced by Don DeVito


1. Golden Loom                       CO121714          Take 1b
2. Golden Loom                                         Take 2C
3. Golden Loom                                         Take 3C
4. Golden Loom                                         Take 4C

5. Oh, Sister                        CO121709          Take 1C
6. Oh, Sister                                          Take 2C
7. Oh, Sister                                          Take 2C
8. Oh, Sister                                          Take 4b
9. Oh, Sister                                          Take 5

10. Isis                             CO121715          Take 1
11. Isis                                               Take 2

12. Rita Mae                         CO121717          Take 1

13. One More Cup Of Coffee           CO121708          Take 1

14. Reference (One More Cup Of Coffee)                 Take 1b
15. Reference (One More Cup Of Coffee)                 Take 2B

16. Black Diamond Bay                CO121712          Take 1
17. Black Diamond Bay                                  Take 2
18. Black Diamond Bay                                  Take 3B
19. Black Diamond Bay                                  Take 4b
20. Black Diamond Bay                                  Take 5

21. Mozambique                       CO121713          Take 1b
22. Mozambique                                         Take 2B
23. Mozambique                                         Take 3C
24. Mozambique                                         Take 4C

25. Hurricane                        CO121711          Take 1

26. Rita Mae                         CO121717          Take 1C
27. Rita Mae                                           Take 2C
28. Rita Mae                                           Take 3

29. Joey                             CO121716          Take 1
30. Joey (Insert)                                      Take 1


5-9 "O'Sister" on recording sheet.
10 & 11 "Ices" on recording sheet.
12 and 26-28 "Rita May" on recording sheet.
13-15 "Coffee" on recording sheet.

Musicians: EmmyLou Harris (vocal), Rob Rothstein (bass), Howard Wyeth (drums), Scarlet Rivera (violin) and Sheena Seidenberg (tambourine & congas).
29 overdubbed August 11, 1975.
6, 13, 19, 24 and (in overdubbed version) 29 released on Desire.
26 released on single.
2 released on The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3.

Studio E
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
July 31, 1975, 8:00 pm-4:00 am.

Produced by Don DeVito

1. Golden Loom                       CO121714          Test

2. Abandoned Love                    CO                Take 1C
3. Abandoned Love                                      Take 2C

4. Town (Reference)                                    Take 1
5. Town (Reference)                                    Take 2

6. Sara                              CO121718          Take 1
7. Sara                                                Take 1b
8. Sara                                                Take 2B
9. Sara                                                Take 3b
10. Sara                                               Take 4B
11. Sara                                               Take 5

12. Isis                             CO121715          Take 1C
13. Isis                                               Take 2C

2 & 3 "Love Copy" on recording sheet.
6-11 "Sarah Part I" on recording sheet.
12 & 13 "Ices" on recording sheet.

Musicians: Rob Rothstein (bass), Howard Wyeth (drums), Scarlet Rivera (violin) and Sheena Seidenberg (tambourine & congas)

11 and 13 released on Desire.
2 released on Biograph.

Studio E
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
August 11, 1975.
Overdub session.

Produced by Don DeVito

1. Joey

Musicians: Vincent Bell (guitar & mandolin) and Domonic Cortese (accordion).

Basic track recorded July 30, 1975 (take 1).

Released on Desire.


It is interesting that all vocal tracks on the 16-track masters and all mixed down tapes of Hurricane as it was recorded in July 1975 were erased December 7, 1976. This had to do with factual mistakes in the story as told in the song which were considered actionable. This was the reason why Hurricane was rerecorded four months later.

Studio E
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
October 24, 1975, 10 pm - 4:30 am.

Produced by Don DeVito

1. Hurricane                         CO121731          Take 1
2. Hurricane                                           Take 2
3. Hurricane                                           Take 3b
4. Hurricane                                           Take 4b
5. Hurricane                                           Take 5C
6. Hurricane                                           Take 6C
7. Hurricane                                           Take 7C
8. Hurricane                                           Take 8B
9. Hurricane                                           Take 9C
10. Hurricane                                          Take 10

Musicians: Rob Rothstein (bass), Howard Wyeth (drums), Scarlet Rivera (violin), Steven Soles (guitar), Leon Luther (congas) and Ronee Blakley (vocal).

A splice of 2 and 6 released on single and on Desire.

The different mixes have the following CO-numbers:

DJ short version with beep on "shit": CO121732
Consumer version: CO121733
Consumer version: CO121734
Part I (for single consumer): CO122694
Part II (for single consumer): CO122695
Part I (DJ version): CO122696
Part II (DJ version): CO122697


That's all for now. I am thankful to Marc Kirkeby, Matt Kelly, Noah, Colin, Keith and many others at Sony Archives in New York City for the great help and hospitality they have given me during the work with this enormous amount of information.


Bring It All Back Home Krogsgaard's Sessions