In a surprising turn of events, a treasure trove of studio outtakes from Bob Dylan’s 1973 sessions has recently emerged in Europe, shedding light on the creative process behind the Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid soundtrack. The 28-track collection, titled “50th Anniversary Collection 1973,” has become a hot commodity among Dylan enthusiasts, with limited copies already fetching hundreds of dollars online.
The Copyright Loophole
The intriguing aspect of this discovery lies in a copyright loophole that allowed these recordings to resurface. European copyright law includes a “use it or lose it” provision, declaring that if recordings aren’t officially released within 50 years of their creation, they enter the public domain. As a result, the Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid soundtrack, released in May 1973, triggered the release of these long-buried studio outtakes.
Limited Release Tactics
Bob Dylan and his team, aware of the European copyright law, have employed various strategies over the years to navigate the legal landscape. This has included the release of multi-disc “bootleg” sets or discreetly distributing a few hundred CDs to European stores without public announcements.
Historical Leaks And Musical Impact
Interestingly, the 1973 sessions have not been entirely concealed from the public eye. Prior leaks, including one discovered by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, unveiled Dylan’s unfinished recording of “Rock Me Mama.” Secor transformed the incomplete track into “Wagon Wheel,” releasing it in 2004. Nearly a decade later, Darius Rucker’s rendition of “Wagon Wheel” became a No. 1 country hit. The original version of “Rock Me Mama” can be found on the recently surfaced “50th Anniversary Collection 1973.”
