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The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11 Image
Metascore
99

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

  • Artist(s): The Band
  • Summary: The six disc box set contains the restored and most complete collection of the 1967 recording sessions from Bob Dylan And The Band.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Oct 31, 2014
    100
    In spring 1967, Dylan and the Band were out of step, but ahead of the curve. Now, 47 years on, even the listener overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of what’s on offer here--who doesn’t want to hear the false starts and fragments and gags--might conclude that the highlights are as timeless as rock music in the 60s got.
  2. Dec 19, 2014
    100
    It's weirder, stylistically broader, and emotionally richer than the original Basement tapes. [Dec 2014, p.69]
  3. 100
    Though spoilt in places by distortion and too-prominent electric piano, the hitherto unheard material is notable for the innovative exploration of yet another roots blend, through the impassioned country-soul of songs such as “That’s the Breaks”. Clearly, in this most congenial of creative cauldrons, virtually anything was possible.
  4. Nov 11, 2014
    100
    Take your time, shift your sonic expectations and enjoy some of the most daring, creative and truly beautiful music ever recorded.
  5. Mojo
    Nov 19, 2014
    100
    The Basement Tapes ignored every record-producing rule while remaining true to the muse. [Dec 2014, p.109]
  6. 80
    he Basement Tapes are an integral part of music history. Here they are, warts and all, the reality for once a near-match for the bloated myth.
  7. Magnet
    Nov 12, 2014
    70
    The music is a 10; the curating, something rather less. [No. 115, p.51]

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. Nov 10, 2014
    10
    This is not music, it's art by the most genius artist...This is not music, it's art by the most genius artist... Bob Dylan. Expand
  2. Nov 13, 2014
    10
    One of the most influential artists of the past century waited four and a half decades to release what is among his very best recordings-- 5One of the most influential artists of the past century waited four and a half decades to release what is among his very best recordings-- 5 discs worth of tracks (and 1 of filler, just to get it ALL released), some of which have never been heard and all of which are released for the first time in acceptable quality. What little that was released in the late 60's and what was re-recorded for the Band's first album, was a huge influence in changing the course of music from the psychedelia that pervaded every corner of music, to the sincere simple sounds of the singer-songwriters of the early 70's. The full set is overpriced at $20 a disc, but this release is a huge event. Expand
  3. Nov 10, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. HINARIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 3° melhor album, pisou demais rei Expand
  4. Mar 1, 2015
    8
    This is a lot to digest----six CDs worth of the fabled 1967 sessions put down by Bob and The Band. (Mere mortals are advised to stick with theThis is a lot to digest----six CDs worth of the fabled 1967 sessions put down by Bob and The Band. (Mere mortals are advised to stick with the 2-CD digest of this material called The Basement Tapes--Raw).There are actually a lot of pretty good unreleased tracks scattered throughout the collection, and interesting alternate versions of Bob classics like Blowin' In The Wind. I wouldn't be discarding my copy of the original 1975 version of the Tapes---it collected the best of the previously unreleased songs, with tasteful musical embellishments that were removed from the current 2014 iteration of this material. So, if you're a novice Dylanophile, I'd definitely buy the 1975 Basement Tapes before wading into the 2014 collections. Expand
  5. Nov 25, 2014
    2
    No wonder those were kept in basement for so long, and if there was any common sense left ( but greed and money thirst :) ) - this 6 cd boxNo wonder those were kept in basement for so long, and if there was any common sense left ( but greed and money thirst :) ) - this 6 cd box set would never be released. Even Slow Train Coming is more interesting. Expand
  6. Nov 12, 2014
    2
    Seriously - did everyone drink the kool-aid on this one? I love Dylan - but most of this is useless filler. The real Basement Tapes doubleSeriously - did everyone drink the kool-aid on this one? I love Dylan - but most of this is useless filler. The real Basement Tapes double album is plenty - you don't need the deleted scenes from it - and they are certainly not 10/10 material. Expand