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The Traveling Wilburys, Volume One and Dylan and The Dead
released October 18, 1988 and February 6, 1989 respectively, signalled
the creative outburst to come from Dylan during the following years. I
have no new information about the two Traveling Wilbury albums, so part
9 of Bob Dylan Sessions concentrates on two Dylan albums: Oh
Mercy and Under The Red Sky.
The recording sessions for what would be regarded as yet another
turning point in Dylan's creative career - Oh Mercy - took place
in a mobile studio, situated for the occasion in New Orleans. Dylan
still recorded only few takes of each song, but by now he used
overdubbing routinely, which naturally makes the overview of the
sessions for the album very complex. The information available
regarding the Oh Mercy sessions is incomplete as to the rough
tapes. That is: much more was recorded than what is listed below. On
the other hand, information about the released tracks is quite precise,
including dates for overdubbing.
As Bob Dylan probably spent long periods in the studio and recorded
every day, and as information about this is not generally available, I
have not listed overdubbing by Bob Dylan, vocal or instrumental,
individually but mentioned it in connection with the basic take of the
song. I have listed overdubbing by others individually, though, as
these sessions are better documented in the available information.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
February 28, 1989
1. Born In Time
Bob Dylan (piano, guitar and dobro), Malcolm Burns (guitar), Daniel
Lanois (electric and 12-string guitars, dobro, harpsichord, drums and
bass), Darryl Johnson (bass and glockenspiel).
Additional vocal (Bob Dylan) March 7, 1989 and April 13, 1989.
12-string guitar overdubs (Daniel Lanois) March 29, 1989.
Guitar overdubs (Bob Dylan), April 7, 1989.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 7, 1989
1. What Good Am I?
2. What Good Am I?
3. What Good Am I?
4. What Good Am I?
5. What Good Am I?
6. What Good Am I?
7. What Good Am I?
8. What Good Am I?
9. Ring Them Bells
1-8 Bob Dylan (piano and guitar), Malcolm Burns (keyboards), Daniel
Lanois (electric and 12-string guitars, dobro and bass).
9 Bob Dylan (piano), Malcolm Burns (keyboards and guitar), Daniel
Lanois (guitar & dobro).
7 New vocal (Bob Dylan) April 7, 1989.
9 Guitar overdub (Bob Dylan) April 6, 1989.
7 and 9 released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 8,1989
1. Most Of The Time
2. Most Of The Time
3. What Was It You Wanted
4. What Was It You Wanted
5. Political World
6. Political World
7. Disease Of Conceit
8. Disease Of Conceit
9. Disease Of Conceit
10. Disease Of Conceit
1-6 Bob Dylan (guitars), Mason Ruffner (guitar), Cyril Neville
(percussion), Willie Green (drums), Tony Hall (bass), Daniel Lanois
(electric and 12-string guitars, dobro, bass and tom-tom)
7-10 Bob Dylan (piano, harmonium).
5,6 Cyril Neville (congas and cowbell)
5 Guitar overdubs (Bob Dylan) March 21, 1989.
5 Guitar overdubs (Bob Dylan) April 8, 1989.
One of 7, 8 or 10 guitar overdubs (Brian Stoltz) at a later date.
9 incomplete take.
5, one of 7, 8 or 10 released on Oh Mercy
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 12, 1989
1. Most Of The Time
2. Most Of The Time
3. Most Of The Time
4. Most Of The Time
5. Most Of The Time
6. Most Of The Time
8. God Knows
9. God Knows
6. Bob Dylan (guitars), Mason Ruffner (guitar), Cyril Neville
(timbales, tom-toms), Willie Green (drums), Tony Hall (bass), Daniel
Lanois (guitar, piano)
1-6 overdub April 19, 1989 Malcolm Burns (bass)
8, 9 Bob Dylan (guitars, piano, bass and harp), Mason Ruffner (guitar),
Cyril Neville (gembe' and percussion), Willie Green (drums), Tony Hall
(bass), Daniel Lanois (organ),
8 new vocals (Bob Dylan) March 16 and April 4, 1989
8 overdub Brian Stoltz (guitar) March 13-15, 1989
8 overdub Malcolm Burns (bass) at some later date.
8 released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 13, 1989
1. Dignity
2. Dignity
3. Dignity
(4. God Knows)
Bob Dylan (piano), Brian Stoltz (guitar), Tony Hall (bass), Willie Green
(drums).
Overdubbing of an original take recorded March 12, 1989: Brian Stoltz
(guitar).
Overdubbing may have taken place March 13-15.
Overdub March 28, 1989 Cyril Neville (tambourine, gembe').
Additional vocals (Bob Dylan) April 11, 1989.
Released on Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. 3.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 14 and 15, 1989
1. Everything Is Broken
2. Everything Is Broken
3. Everything Is Broken
4. Jam
5. Three Of Us Be Free
6. Three Of Us Be Free
7. Shooting Star
8. Shooting Star
9. Shooting Star
10. Shooting Star
11. Shooting Star
12. Shooting Star
13. Shooting Star
14. Shooting Star
1-6 Bob Dylan (guitar), Brian Stoltz (guitar and 12-string guitar)),
Tony Hall (bass), Willie Green (drums) and Daryl Johnson (congas and
percussion).
7-14 Bob Dylan (guitar), Brian Stoltz (guitar), Tony Hall (bass), Willie
Green (drums), and Daniel Lanois (dobro).
1 New vocal and harmonica overdub (Bob Dylan) April 3, 1989.
13 new vocals (Bob Dylan) April 1 and 3, 1989, dobro overdub (Daniel
Lanois) April 1, 1989, dobro and omni-chord overdub
(Daniel Lanois) April 2, acoustic guitar overdub (Bob Dylan) April 1,
1989, and electric guitar overdub (Bob Dylan) April 6, 1989.
13 vocal overdubs (Bob Dylan) April 2, 1989.
1 and 13 released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 21, 1989
1. What Was It You Wanted
2. What Was It You Wanted
3. What Was It You Wanted
4. What Was It You Wanted
Bob Dylan (guitars & harp), Malcolm Burns (guitar & bass), Willie Green
(drums), Cyril Neville (gembe'), Mason Ruffner (guitar), Daniel Lanois
(drums, 12-string guitar & guitar)
1 new vocals (Bob Dylan) March 24 and April 10, 1989.
1 overdub Mason Ruffner (guitar) April 3, 1989.
1 overdub Malcolm Burns (guitar) April 4, 1989.
1 released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 21 and 22, 1989
1. Where Teardrops Fall
2. Where Teardrops Fall
3. Where Teardrops Fall
Bob Dylan (piano), Alton Rubin Sr. (drums), Alton Rubin Sr. (drums)
Larry Joliuet (bass), David Rubin (scrub board), John Hart (saxophone),
Paul Synegal (guitar, steel guitar).
2 new vocals (Bob Dylan) April 15, 15 and 16, 1989.
8 piano overdubs (Bob Dylan) and omnichord overdubs April 15, 1989.
2 released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 23, 1989
1. Series Of Dreams
Bob Dylan (guitars), Glen Fukunaga (bass), Roddy Colonna (drums &
percussion), Daniel Lanios (guitars, bass, strings & percussion), Mason
Ruffner (guitar), Cyril Neville (talking drum).
New vocal (Bob Dylan) March 30, 1989.
Overdubbed in Messina Music Studios, New York City, New York, January
9-25, 1991.
Released on The Bootleg Series, Vol. 1-3.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 28, 1989
1. Political World
2. Political World
3. Disease Of Conceit
4. Disease Of Conceit
5. Where Teardrops Fall
6. Where Teardrops Fall
7. Where Teardrops Fall
(8. Disease Of Conceit)
(9. Dignity)
1 -7 Bob Dylan (guitars, piano, on 3-7), Brian Stoltz (guitar), Tony
Hall (bass), Willie Green (drums), Cyril Neville (percussion), Mason
Ruffner (guitar).
6 Daniel Lanois (dobro, 12-string guitar, steel guitar)
8 overdubbing of an original take recorded March 8, 1989: Brian Stoltz
(guitar).
9 overdubbing of an original take recorded March 13, 1989: Cyril Neville
(tambourine, gembe').
6 new vocals (Bob Dylan) March 30, April 3, and 8, 1989.
6 and 8 released on Oh Mercy
9 released on Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. 3.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 29, 1989
1. What Good Am I?
2. What Good Am I?
3. Man In The Long Black Coat
4. Man In The Long Black Coat
(5. Born In Time)
1-4 Bob Dylan (piano).
3 Daniel Lanois (dobro, drums & bass), Bob Dylan (guitar, 12-string
guitar & harp).
5 overdub of original track recorded February 28, 1989: Daniel Lanois
(12-string guitar).
3 new vocals and overdubbed electric guitar (Bob Dylan) April 4, 1989.
3 released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 1 and 2,1989
Overdub sessions.
(1. Shooting Star)
Overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 14, 1989: Daniel Lanois
(dobro and omnichord).
Released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 3,1989
Overdub session.
(1. What Was It You Wanted)
Overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 21, 1989: Mason Ruffner
(guitar).
Released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 4, 1989
Overdub session.
(1. What Was It You Wanted)
Overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 21, 1989:
Malcolm Burns (guitar).
Released on Oh Mercy.
Even though not documented in detail, Dylan and
Lanois worked many days during April and probably May 1989 on the
songs, deciding to change and add a number of instrumental tracks in
June and July. Dylan can not have been present at these sessions due to
intensive touring.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
June 26, 28 and 29, 1989
Overdub sessions.
(1. Everything Is Broken)
(2. Born In Time)
(3. Shooting Star)
(4. God Knows)
Malcolm Burns (bass and on 1 tambourine).
1 and 3 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 14, 1989.
2 overdubbing of a take originally recorded February 28, 1989.
4 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 12, 1989. Date of
overdubbing uncertain.
1, 3 and 4 released on Oh Mercy
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
June 27 and 28, 1989
Overdub sessions.
(1. Where Teardrops Fall)
(2. Ring Them Bells)
(3. Man In The Long Black Coat)
(4. What Good am I?)
(5. Political World)
(6. Disease Of Conceit)
Malcolm Burns (bass)
2 and 4 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 7, 1989.
5 and 6 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 8, 1989.
1 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 21/22, 1989.
3 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 29, 1989.
Released on Oh Mercy.
The Studio
New Orleans, Louisiana
July 5, 7 and 8,1989
Overdub sessions.
(1. Where Teardrops Fall)
(2. Ring Them Bells)
(3. Man In The Long Black Coat)
(4. What Good Am I?)
(5. Political World)
(6. Disease Of Conceit)
(7. Everything Is Broken)
(8. Born In Time)
(9. Shooting Star)
Daniel Lanois (guitar)
2 and 4 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 7, 1989.
5 and 6 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 8, 1989.
1 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 21/22, 1989.
3 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 29, 1989.
7 and 9 overdubbing of a take originally recorded March 14, 1989.
8 overdubbing of a take originally recorded February 28, 1989.
1-7 and 9 released on Oh Mercy.
After less than a year away from recording, Dylan
went back into the studio to record another album immediately after New
Year 1989/90. The recording of the basic takes is not well documented
in the available material, but as a surprisingly high number of
overdubs were done in April and May 1990, it seems logical to assume
that the basic tracks were laid down with few instruments. The first
session took place 6th January.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
January 6,1990
1. Handy Dandy
2. God Knows
3. 10,000 Men
4. Cat's In The Well
Bob Dylan (piano), Jimmie Vaughan (guitar), Don Was (bass) and Kenny
Aronoff (drums).
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Recording continued when Dylan returned from his short but intensive and
dynamic European tour.
Probably The Complex
Los Angeles, California
February/March 1990
1. Wiggle, Wiggle
2. Unbelieveable
3. 2x2
4. Instrumental/Most Of The Time
Bob Dylan (guitar), Don Was (bass) & Kenny Aronoff (drums). 1 Slash
(guitar).
1-3 released on Under The Red Sky
4 released on the promotional CD Most Of The Time and in part in the
promotional video Most Of The Time.
Probably The Complex
Los Angeles, California
February/March 1990
1. Born In Time
2. T. V. Talkin' Song
(3. 2 x 2)
Bob Dylan (guitar), Bruce Hornsby (piano), Don Was (bass) & Kenny
Aronoff (drums).
1 and 3 David Crosby (background vocals)
3 Elton John (piano).
3 overdubbing of a take originally recorded February/March 1989.
Released on Under The Red Sky
Culver City Studios
Culver City, California
March 2, 1990
1. Most Of The Time
David Lindley (guitar), Randy Jackson (bass) & Kenny Aronoff (drums).
Released in part in the promotional video Most Of The Time.
Probably The Complex
Los Angeles, California
April 1990
1. Under The Red Sky
Bob Dylan (guitar), George Harrison (guitar), Don Was (bass), Kenny
Aronoff (drums).
Released on Under The Red Sky
After having recorded the second Traveling
Wilburys album, Dylan went back to finish his next album. Many vocal
overdubs were done, but they are generally not documented.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
April 30, 1990
Overdub session.
(1. Handy Dandy)
(2. God Knows)
(3. 10,000 Men)
(4. Cat's In The Well)
Stevie Ray Vaughan (guitar) and David Lindley (guitar).
Overdubbing of original takes recorded January 6, 1990.
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
May 1, 1990
Overdub session.
(1. Cat's In The Well)
(2. Wiggle, Wiggle)
(3. 2x2)
(4. Under The Red Sky)
1, 2 Saul Hudson (session leader), David McMurray (saxophone), Rayse
Biggs (trumpet).
3, 4 Hillard Atkinson, Donald Mitchell, David Weiss, Don Fagenson, Harry
Bowen (backing vocals).
1 overdubbing of original take recorded January 6, 1990
2 and 3 overdubbing of original takes recorded February/March, 1990
4 overdubbing of original takes recorded April, 1990
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
May 2 1990
Overdub session.
(1. Wiggle, Wiggle)
(2. T. V. Talkin' Song)
(3. Born In Time)
(4. God Knows)
(5. Handy Dandy)
1, 2 Benjamin (Jaimie) Muhoberac (organ).
3-5 Paulino da Costa (percussion).
4 and 5 overdubbing of original takes recorded January 6, 1990
2 and 3 overdubbing of original takes recorded February/March 1990
1 overdubbing of original take recorded February/March, 1990
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
May 3 and 4,1990
Overdub session.
(1. Under The Red Sky)
(2. Unbelieveable)
(3. Handy Dandy)
(4. 2 x 2)
1-3 Al Kooper (keyboards), Robert (Waddy) Wachtel (guitar).
1, 4 Hillard Atkinson, Donald Mitchell, David Weiss, Don Fagenson, Harry
Bowen (backing vocals).
1 overdubbing of original take recorded April 1990
3 overdubbing of original take recorded January 6, 1990
2 and 4 overdubbing of original takes recorded February/March, 1990
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
May 8, 1990
Overdub session.
(1. T. V. Talkin' Song)
(2. Born In Time)
Robben Ford (guitar).
Overdubbing of original takes recorded February/March, 1990
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
May 9 and 10, 1990
Overdub session.
(1. 2 x2)
(2. Wiggle, Wiggle)
(3. T. V. Talkin' Song)
(4. Born In Time)
Randy D. Jackson (bass).
I and 2 overdubbing of original takes recorded February/March, 1990.
3 and 4 overdubbing of original takes recorded February/March, 1990.
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
May 14,1990
Overdub session.
(1. 2 x2)
(2. Wiggle, Wiggle)
(3. Handy Dandy)
(4. 10,000 Men)
1, 2 David Lindley (guitar).
3, 4 Hillard Atkinson, Donald Mitchell, David Weiss, Don Fagenson, Harry
Bowen (backing vocals).
3 and 4 overdubbing of original takes recorded January 6, 1990.
1 and 2 overdubbing of original takes recorded February/March 1990.
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Oceanway Studios
Hollywood, California
May 25, 1990
Overdub session.
(1. Handy Dandy)
(2. 10,000 Men)
Hillard Atkinson, Donald Mitchell, David Weiss, Don Fagenson, Harry
Bowen (backing vocals).
Overdubbing of original takes recorded January 6, 1990.
Released on Under The Red Sky.
Two outtakes from Oh Mercy were released later; Dignity
on Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. 3, and Series Of Dreams
on The Bootleg Series Vol. 1-3. The latter needed overdubbing
and a bit of studio work, and that took place in New York early in
1991.
Messina Music Studios
New York City, New York
January 9, 1991
Overdub session.
(1. Series Of Dreams)
Peter Wood (organ) and Rick DiFonzo (guitar).
Overdubbing of an original track recorded at The Studio, New Orleans,
Louisiana, March 23, 1989. Mixing took place January 9 -25, 1991.
Released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 1-3.
Even though the two Dylan albums released in the
autumn of 199, Under The Red Sky and Traveling Wilburys Vol.
3, opened two new sides of Dylan, it would be a very important
compilation - The Bootleg Series Vol. 1-3 - that many came to
regard as the climax in the flood of Dylan releases from this period.
This triple album pointed to a brand new attitude from Dylan in making
his earlier works available, and during the next 10 years several such
additions to Bob Dylan's 'complete works' were released.
More about the '90s in part 10 of Bob Dylan Sessions.
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Bring It All Back Home
Krogsgaard's Sessions