Bob Dylan – The Bootleg Series Vol. 17 – Mississippi (Version 2) Review

Stark and immediate differences can be found between the Love and Theft release and this new Bootleg offering from Bob Dylan. Mississippi (Version 2) elongates its intro, changes up its structure and gives itself a fundamental, rocking 1970s feel. It is far more upbeat than the version that was released, and, much like Not Dark Yet (Version 1) provides something potentially different, even better, than what was released all those years ago. Despite it being claimed by drummer David Kemper that the track was an afterthought, it appears to have taken the driver’s seat of this Bootleg release, leading the charge as the third single to promote the piece. 

Rightly so, it is a definitive and constant quality found in this latest Bootleg release. The Bootleg Series Volume 17 is gearing up to be a fine collection of deep cuts. Potentially the release that Daniel Lanois found “pedestrian” all those years ago, the lyrical structure, the magnetism of the lyrics and how they pair with the instrumentals, are monumental. Nothing about this is pedestrian, although it is a close call to decide which is the stronger of the two. Dylan appears to have preferred this version, a floatier rendition of Mississippi. Lighter, a charming structure that Dylan would certainly identify in his later releases when he was producing under his Jack Frost alias. Very strong, once again, for the Bootleg tapes to offer this up. Mississippi (Version 2) is chirpier and brighter than the initial album release version. 

Said change in tone provides some obvious highs and lows for what the track can achieve. It is less lenient with how it portrays its pop chord structure, but it feels like a rough sketch of how the album version would go on to sound. Dylan appears to have nurtured this one for some time, recording it on the Time Out of Mind sessions and heaving it onto the Love and Theft release. An argument could certainly be made that every take is a different song, but so clearly is that heard on Mississippi (Version 2) that it resides in somewhere that feels unbelievable. Key changes to the guitar work of Larry Campbell and Charlie Sexton are as clear as day, with a focus on elements subsequently lost to the released recording. Not to its detriment, thankfully, but there is a crisper balance on Mississippi (Version 2) that will settle in well. 

Another quality release from the vast archives of music Dylan is slowly drip-feeding his audience, Mississippi (Version 2) will hold real quality for those that loved the original track. Mississippi may not have been the strongest of tracks for those not intimately associated with the colloquial American state, but the quality forecast found on this bootleg cut is a well-structured piece that shines a light, yet again, on the quality lyricisms that come from great writing. Compared just to the previously released counterpart, there are enough differences between the two to warrant, once again, a listen to both. Those cheeky guitar solos to close out Mississippi (Version 2) are a welcome one, but this is a track more dependent on a love for the original than the other releases so far.