From Issue 10 of The Bridge, Summer 2001

Bob Dylan: The Recording Sessions Part 8

by Michael Krogsgaard
Part seven of this session chronology (The Bridge 5, Winter 1999) ended in October 1985 with a mention of the very busy Spring of 1986 to come for Bob Dylan. I didn't mention the very busy year 2000 to come for me, but perhaps I should have done. I have been tied up with other things, and apologise for the break in continuity of this series.

After having jammed with several different constellations of musicians during 1985, Dylan seemed to have found the rhythm section he needed for his next album during the last 1985 jam, October 31: Raymond Lee Pounds (drums) and Vito San Filippo (bass). But first - after performing at the Martin Luther King Day on January 20, 1986 - he toured Australia and Japan February 5 - March 10. The first recording session in 1986 took place during this visit to the Far East with his tour-band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Stevie Nicks.

Festival Studios
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
February 9 and 10, 1986

Produced by Tom Petty.

1. Band Of The Hand
Musicians: Tom Petty (guitar & vocals), Mike Campbell (guitar), Howie Epstein (bass), Stan Lynch (drums), Benmont Tench (keyboards) and Elisecia Wright, Queen Esther Morrow, Madelyn Quebec, Debra Byrd & Stevie Nicks (backup vocals).

Released on single and in the film Band Of The Hand.

After returning to the USA, the US summer tour was announced on April 10, and shortly thereafter Dylan started working on his next studio album. It took nearly a month with only few days off.

Due to the nature of the available information, the following listing is far from complete and is probably imprecise in several aspects. Anyway, I hope it gives an overall view of the recording process leading to Knocked Out Loaded. It consisted of basic recording-sessions and overdub-sessions, in some cases mixed on the same day.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
April 28, 1986

1. Never Walk Alone
2. Drifin' Too Far From Shore
3. The Beautiful Life
4. Without Love
Musicians: 1,2. Steve Douglas (saxophone), Al Kooper (keyboards), James Jamerson Jr. (bass), Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), David Alvin (guitar), Steven Madaio (trumpet).

3,4. Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix, Carol Dennis, Annette May-Thomas (backup vocals).

2 probably overdubbing on a basic take from Delta Recording Studio, New York, July 26, 1984.

2 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
April 29, 1986

1. Driftin' Too Far From Shore
2. Never Walk Alone
3. Unchain My Heart
Musicians: Steve Douglas (saxophone), Al Kooper (keyboards), Jack Sherman (guitar), Ira Ingber (guitar), Steven Madaio (trumpet), Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), Vito San Filippo (bass), Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix & Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

1 overdubbing on a basic take from Delta Recording Studio, New York, July 26, 1984.

1 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
April 30, 1986

1. Never Walk Alone
2. Danville Girl
3. Unchain My Heart
4. Lonely Avenue
Musicians: Steve Douglas (saxophone), Al Kooper (keyboards), Jack Sherman (guitar), Ira Ingber (guitar), Steven Madaio (trumpet), Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), Vito San Filippo (bass), Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix & Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

2 overdubbing of a basic track recorded in Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, December 6, 10 or 11, 1984.

2 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 1, 1986

1. Without Love
2. Danville Girl
3. Unchain My Heart
Musicians: Steve Douglas (saxophone), Al Kooper (keyboards), Ira Ingber (guitar), Steven Madaio (trumpet), Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), James Jamerson Jr. (bass), T-Bone Burnett (guitar), Vito San Filippo (bass), Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix & Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

2 overdubbing of a basic track recorded in Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, December 6, 10 or 11, 1984.

2 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 2,1986

1. Danville Girl
2. Unchain My Heart
Musicians: Steve Douglas (saxophone), Al Kooper (keyboards), Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), James Jamerson Jr. (bass), T-Bone Burnett (guitar), Albert Perkins (steel guitar), Larry Myers (mandolin), Ira Ingber (guitar), Steven Madaio (trumpet), Ceasar Cosas.

1 overdubbing of a basic track recorded in Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, December 6, 10 or 11, 1984.

1 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 5, 1986

1. Without Love
2. They Killed Him
3. You Wanna Ramble
Musicians: 1-3 Vito San Filippo (bass), Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), Steve Douglas (saxophone).

2, 3 Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix, Carol Dennis & Annette May-Thomas (backup vocals).

2. Damion Turnbough, Majoson Bracey, Keysha Gwin, Crystal Pounds, Lara Firestone, Tiffany Wright, Chyna Wright, Angel Newell, Herbert Newell, Lary Mayhand, April Hendrix Haberlan, Dewey B. Jones, Medena Smith, Daina Smith, Maia Smith (background vocals).

2 and 3 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 6, 1986

1. Without Love
2. Too Late She's Gone
3. Precious Memories
Musicians: Vito San Filippo (bass), Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), Steve Douglas (saxophone), Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix, Carol Dennis & Annette May-Thomas (backup vocals).

3 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 7, 9, 12 & 13 1986

1. Under Your Spell
2. Precious Memories
3. They Killed Him
Musicians: Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), Milton Gabriel, Mike Bermeat, Bryan Parris, Steve Douglas (saxophone).

1 overdubbing on a basic track recorded at the Eurythmics Church, London, November 20-23, 1985.

All tracks released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 7,1986

Overdub session.
1. Come Back Baby (One More Time)
Musicians: Vito San Filippo (bass), Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix, Carol Dennis, Annette May-Thomas (backup vocals).

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 8, 1986

Overdub session.
1. You'll Never Walk Alone
Musicians: Vito San Filippo (bass), Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix, Carol Dennis, Annette May-Thomas (backup vocals).

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 9,1986

Overdub session.
1. Driftin' Too Far From Shore
2. Wild & Wicked World
Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix, Carol Dennis, Annette May-Thomas (backup vocals).

1 overdubbing on a basic take from Delta Recording Studio, New York, July 26, 1984.

1 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 14, 16 & 23 1986

1. Precious Memories
2. You Wanna Ramble
3. They Killed Him
4. Maybe Someday
Musicians: Ira Lngber (guitar), Al Kooper (keyboards), Ted Pearlman (guitar), Robert Hill, Vito San Filippo (bass), Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), Steve Douglas (saxophone), Steve Madaio (trumpet).

Released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 16, 1986

Overdub session.
1. So Good
2. I Need Your Lovin'
3. Driftin' Too Far From Shore
4. Maybe Someday
5. Brownsville Girl
Madelyn Quebec, Peggi Blu, Carol Dennis, Annette May-Thomas (backup vocals).

3 overdubbing on a basic take from Delta Recording Studio, New York, July 26, 1984.

5 overdubbing of a basic track recorded in Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, December 6, 10 or 11, 1984.

3-5 released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 18, 1986

Overdub session.
Unknown tracks
Musicians: Steve Douglas (saxophone), Steve Madaio (trumpet).

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 19, 1986

Overdub session.
1. Under Your Spell
2. Brownsville Girl
Carol Dennis, Madelyn Quebec, Sharon Hendrix, Queen Esther Marrow (backup vocals).

1 overdubbing on a basic track recorded at the Eurythmics Church, London, November 20-23, 1985.

2 overdubbing of a basic track recorded in Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, December 6, 10 or 11, 1984.

Released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Quite strangely, it seems that Dylan was somewhere else on May 19, as there are indications of a demo recording or work session of Got My Mind Made Up on this date in Van Nuys.

Sound City
Van Nuys, California
May 19, 1986

1. Got My Mind Made Up
Philip Jones & Bob Dylan.

At the same time efforts to conclude Knocked Out Loaded were continued in Topanga Park.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 20, 1986

Overdub session.
1. Brownsville Girl
2. Under Your Spell
Elisecia Wright, Queen Esther Marrow, Madelyn Quebec & Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

1 overdubbing of a basic track recorded in Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, December 6, 10 or 11, 1984.

Released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 21, 1986

Overdub session.
1. Under Your Spell
2. Maybe Someday
Elisecia Wright, Queen Esther Marrow, Madelyn Quebec & Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

Released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Skyline Recording Co
Topanga Park, California
May 22, 1986

Overdub session.
1. Maybe Someday
2. Precious Memories
Elisecia Wright, Queen Esther Marrow & Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

Released on Knocked Out Loaded.

The US Summer tour shooting off on June 9 left one day between the shows in Arizona and Texas for recording of the last track of Knocked Out Loaded. As in Australia, Dylan was backed by his touring band.

Sound City
Van Nuys, California
June 19, 1986

1. Got My Mind Made Up
Musicians: Tom Petty (guitar), Mike Campbell (guitar), Benmont Tench (keyboards), Howie Epstein (bass), Stan Lynch (drums), Philip Jones (conga), and Elisecia Wright, Queen Esther Marrow, Madelyn Quebec & Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

Released on Knocked Out Loaded.

Two days after the US-tour, Knocked Out Loaded was released (August 8), and less than 2 weeks later, Bob Dylan was in England to film Hearts Of Fire, keeping him busy in September and October of 1986.

The next recording session took place in Townhouse Studio, London, England, August 27 & 28, 1986, but this has been documented elsewhere.


1987 was less busy for Dylan - in particular touring activities were less intensive. The first sessions for Down In The Groove took place in the Spring, alternating with rehearsals at The Grateful Dead's studio in San Rafael for the short Dylan/Dead summer tour.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
March 5,1987

1. Street People
2. Side Walks
3. Sugaree
4. My Prayer
Musicians: Jesse Davis (guitar), James Ehinger, Gary Ray, Mark A. Schatzkamer, Robert Tsukamoto, Bob Dylan.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
March 27, 1987

1. Sally Sue Brown
2. Wood In Steel
3. Heaven
4. Shake Your Money
5. Chain Gang
6. If You Need Me
Musicians: Steve Jones (guitar), Kevin Savigar (keyboards), Myron Grombacher (drums) and Paul Simonon (bass), Bob Dylan.

1 released on Down In The Groove.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
April 3 & 11, 1987

1. Branded Man
2. Chain Gang
3. If You Need Me
4. Ninety Miles An Hour (Down A Dead End Street)
5. Makin' Believe
6. Darkness Before Dawn
Probably recorded April 3, 1987
7. Just When I Needed You Most
8. Important Words
9. When Did You Leave Heaven?
10.Willie And The Hand Jive
11.Twist And Shout
Musicians: Raymond Lee Pounds (drums), James Jamerson Jr. (bass), Jack Morris Sherman (organ, guitar?).

4 released on Down In The Groove.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
May 1, 1987

1. Almost Endless Sleep
2. Bare Foot In
3. Let's Stick Together
4. Rock 'n' Roll Ruby
5. Important Words
6. Listen To Me
Musicians Stephen Jordan (drums), Daniel Kortchmar (guitar), Randy Jackson (bass), Bob Dylan.

3 released on Down In The Groove.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
May 5,1987

Overdub session.
1. Sally Sue Brown
Bobby King, Willie Green and Carol Dennis (background vocals).

Released on Down In The Groove.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
June 16, 1987

1. You Can't Judge A Book By Looking At The Cover
2. Tioga Pass
3. Ugliest Girl In The World
4. Making Believe
5. Rank Strangers To Me
Probably recorded June 16, 1987
6. Silvio
Musicians: Mike Baird (drums), Nathan East (bass), Bob Dylan.

3 Madelyn Quebec and Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

6 Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir & Brent Mydland (additional vocals).

3, 5 and 6 released on Down In The Groove.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
Unknown date

Overdub session.
1. Silvio
Madelyn Quebec and Carol Dennis (backup vocals), Bob Dylan.

Released on Down In The Groove.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
June 17, 1987

Overdub session.
1. Ninety Miles An Hour (Down A Dead End Street)
2. Important Words
3. Shenandoah
Musicians: 1 Larry Klein (bass).

2, 3 Alexandra Brown, Madelyn Quebec, Peggi Blu & Carol Dennis (backup vocals).

1 and 3 released on Down In The Groove.

Sunset Sound Studios
Hollywood, California
June 23, 1987

Overdub session.
1. Ninety Miles An Hour (Down A Dead End Street)
Bobby King and Willie Green (backup vocals)

Released on Down In The Groove.

Somewhere along these sessions or perhaps during later sessions, two earlier tracks were worked on: Death Is Not The End (from the Infidels sessions in 1983) and Had A Dream About You, Baby (From the Hearts Of Fire session in London, August 1986).

With overdubs they were included in Down In The Groove, when it was released May 31, 1988.

Shortly after the release of Down In The Groove, and after having completed the recording of the first Traveling Wilburys album, Dylan opened his Never Ending Tour. More in Bob Dylan: The Recording Sessions, Part 9.


Bring It All Back Home Krogsgaard's Sessions