The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964, by Bob Dylan

Dylan fans rejoice at any opening of the vaults—this is volume 9 in his Bootleg Series—but this double disc also welcomes anyone who is new to the '60s pioneer. Listening to early Dylan un­adorned and unplugged is to witness this young man from Minnesota evolve not just in sound but in stature—from Woody Guthrie wannabe to street-smart social commentator. The 47 cuts here come from songwriting demos, and they include familiar classics (such as "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'") rendered unfamiliar on piano.