UPDATED 6/11/20: Last month, Bob Dylan announced the upcoming release of Rough and Rowdy Ways, his first album of original music in 8 years.
Due out next Friday, June 19, on Columbia Records, Rough and Rowdy Ways will be a ten-song, two-CD affair. The album opens with "I Contain Multitudes," followed by "False Prophet," and it closes with the epic "Murder Most Foul."
In typical Dylan fashion, much of the details about the new album have remained under lock and key. But earlier today, Columbia Records posted a video revealing the evocative titles to all the songs on the album. Given the time stamps attributed on some retailers' listings, we're ensured plenty of lengthy epics.
As previously announced, the two CDs - with "Murder Most Foul" alone on Disc 2 - will be housed in a 4-panel, 2-pocket gatefold digipak.
A 2-LP edition will also be pressed up, boasting 180-gram vinyl, gatefold packaging, and printed inner sleeves. That configuration is set to arrive July 17. And for those readers who may have ventured into streaming during lockdown, the album will be released across digital platforms, too, on the same day as the CD.
In an email blast to customers, U.K. independent retailer Badlands (who were already offering an exclusive A5-sized print bundle with CD and LP pre-orders) announced that there will be an indie-exclusive olive green double-vinyl edition of Rough and Rowdy Ways due the same day as the standard 2-LP set. While we expect more indie retailers to carry it - and it's always a good idea to check in with your local brick-and-mortar shop - Badlands is the only retailer offering it online as of this writing.
German retailers JPC are also offering an incentive for fans and collectors. Their limited edition version of Rough and Rowdy Ways will be pressed on yellow-gold vinyl to match the text on the cover.
The UK Bob Dylan Store offers up a gold vinyl pressing that looks identical to JPC's (though the German retailer says theirs is an exclusive). Whether you preorder that configuration, or the 2-CD, or standard 2-LP from the UK web store, you'll get an exclusive lobby card. If you pre-order before 11:59 PM BST on June 24, you'll be placed in a competition to win a lobby card signed by Bob Dylan!
You can find a link to order these configurations (alongside the previously announced links) below!
So mark your calendars for June 19 for this much-welcome gift from Bob Dylan, Rough and Rowdy Ways! In the meantime, we'll be sure to keep you updated on any new developments.
Bob Dylan, Rough and Rowdy Ways (Columbia, 2020)
2-CD: Bob Dylan Online Store / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-LP: Bob Dylan Online Store / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada [Amazon US link will go live soon]
2-CD or 2-LP + print bundle: Badlands
Indie-exclusive green vinyl 2-LP : Badlands [standalone with print] / Badlands [upgrade for existing standard vinyl purchases] / other indie retailers TBA
Indie-exclusive 2-LP + Standard 2-LP + Print bundle: Badlands
Yellow-Golden 2-LP: JPC.de
Music and lobby card bundle/signed card contest: Bob Dylan UK Online Shop
CD 1:
- I Contain Multitudes (4:36)
- False Prophet (6:00)
- My Own Version of You (6:41)
- I've Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You (6:32)
- Black Rider (4:12)
- Goodbye Jimmy Reed (4:13)
- Mother of Muses (4:29)
- Crossing the Rubicon (7:22)
- Key West (9:34)
CD 2:
- Murder Most Foul (16:54)
Joe Mac Pherson says
A "New" Bob Dylan song, called "False Prophet" ??
I think not. Mr. Zimmerman is plagiarizing music again. I'm not surprised at all- and that makes it worse.
Listen, if you will, to the song, If Lovin' Is Believing. It was recorded by Billy "The Kid" Emerson, in 1954.
Surprise surprise!
Dylan, a False Prophet, indeed. And, as he's done before with his paintings as well as select recorded tracks, he makes no mention at all, gives no credit, to the direct source of his inspiration.
Bob has seriously ripped off Billy 'The Kid' Emerson, and his 1954 song.
But, now YOU know!
Guy Smiley says
Lighten up, Francis.
Joe Mac Pherson says
The name is JOE.
Guy, you support total rip off, obviously. I prefer originality.
I'm sure you also support Alternative Facts.
If someone ever takes credit for something you said, or wrote or accomplished, and makes no mention of your existence, I guess that would be fine with you.
Kevin Roberts says
Discussions of Dylan often sink to the pathetic.
Alan Edman says
The Prince of Plagiarism is at it again.
"Rough N' Rowdy' is an amateur boxing contest.
In the song False Prophet is the line: "I opened my heart to the world and the world came in." These words come from Awakening Osiris by Normandi Ellis. This particular plagiarism is not such a bad thing if it motivates people to read this book, as it is an inspired spiritual work.
'I Contain Multitudes' is the title of a poem by Walt Whitman.
The phrase "fleet footed guides" appears in Eyewitnesses to the Indian Wars by Peter Cozzens.
One could go on and on, but I do not have the time.
If nothing else Bob has given people the pastime of tracking down his plagiarisms.
STEVEN BENNETT says
LIMITED EDITION OF HOW MANY?