Bob Dylan’s ‘Bootleg Series 18: Through the Open Window’ Boxed Set Will Explore His Early ’60s Origins and Ascent

Fans captivated by Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of a young Bob Dylan will soon have the chance to immerse themselves in the legendary musician’s formative years. The highly anticipated next installment of Dylan’s "Bootleg Series," titled "Volume 18: Through the Open Window, 1956–1963," is scheduled for release on October 31. This collection provides an intimate look at the artist’s early evolution as a folk musician, chronicling the period just before his controversial transition to electric sound.

The deluxe edition spans eight CDs and includes 139 tracks, with 48 previously unreleased recordings and an additional 38 labeled as “super-rare.” Princeton historian and renowned Dylan expert Sean Wilentz contributed extensive liner notes for the accompanying hardcover book, which also features more than 100 archival photographs. For those seeking a more concise experience, abbreviated 2-CD and 4-LP versions containing 42 highlights will also be available.

A preview of the collection was released on Wednesday with “Rocks and Gravel,” an outtake from the 1962 "Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan" sessions that had never before been officially issued. The anthology also features the complete audio from Dylan’s historic October 26, 1963 performance at Carnegie Hall—a concert whose full recording has remained commercially unavailable until now. Wilentz, who wrote a 125-page essay for the release, remarked, “This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about creating a living link between Dylan’s artistic origins and the music of today.”

Many of the so-called “super-rare” tracks originally appeared in the extremely limited "50th Anniversary Collection" CDs from 2012 and 2013. These were produced in runs of only a few hundred copies to secure copyright protection under EU law, rendering them virtually unobtainable for most collectors. This new volume marks the first time these elusive recordings will be made accessible to the general public, offering a rare glimpse into Dylan’s creative process during a pivotal era.

Pre-orders for all formats are currently underway. The tracklist is arranged chronologically across eight discs, offering a detailed and immersive journey through one of the most transformative periods in both Dylan’s career and American musical history.