Music historians and Dylan devotees have long speculated about the formative years that shaped America’s most enigmatic songwriter, and Columbia Records is finally answering their questions with the most detailed archival release yet. The upcoming “Bootleg Series Volume 18,” set for release on October 31, 2025, through Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings, offers an unprecedented window into Bob Dylan‘s artistic development from 1956 to 1963, before his commercial breakthrough.
The Dylan vault opens at last, revealing the genesis of a legend’s artistry before fame transformed him.
The extensive collection will be available in two formats: an 8-CD Deluxe set containing 139 tracks and a 4-LP vinyl box set. What makes this release particularly significant is the inclusion of 48 never-before-released performances and 38 super-rare recordings captured in intimate settings like clubs, apartments, and impromptu jam sessions. These archival treasures document Dylan’s journey from Minnesota to New York’s Greenwich Village, where he evolved from traditional folk interpreter to groundbreaking songwriter.
Spanning seven formative years, the collection traces Dylan’s musical development chronologically, beginning with his earliest known recordings at Terlinde Music Shop in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1956. Listeners can hear the progression through his Greenwich Village period, culminating in his complete 1963 Carnegie Hall concert, presented in full for the first time. The 125-page hardcover book accompanying the 8CD Box Set provides cultural context and detailed analysis of this pivotal period in Dylan’s career.
The set features early versions of classics like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” alongside numerous outtakes from Columbia Records studio sessions. Sound engineers have meticulously balanced modern audio clarity with the authentic ambiance of the original recordings, preserving the rawness that characterized Dylan’s early performances. The collection will also be made available on various streaming platforms to reach new generations of music fans and Dylan enthusiasts.
The package includes a hardcover book with photographs, essays, and rare archival materials that contextualize the recordings and narrate Dylan’s artistic evolution. Fans can already preview the collection through the newly released track “Rocks and Gravel” available with preorders. This landmark release not only illuminates Dylan’s personal creative journey but also captures the vibrant folk revival movement of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The collection also provides insight into Dylan’s early approach to sync licensing, which would later become a significant revenue stream for musicians in the industry.
