What will obsessive fans do for their heroes? Put up with a lot, is the usual answer, and the disciples of Bob Dylan have endured more than most. Dylan’s detachment from his public would be interpreted as rudeness by most mortals. But to his devotees, that disdain is part of his mystique.

In the past couple of months, however, a tipping point for the self-styled Bobcats has been reached. You would expect the imminent arrival of 39 mostly unreleased Dylan tracks to be greeted with hosannas. But the musical riches of Tell Tale Signs have been generally ignored, as internet message boards have witnessed his followers driven, finally, to revolt.

This record comes in various versions. A two-CD set for around £13, or a three-CD set, with 12 desirable extra tracks, that costs a whopping £90. Columbia has evidently banked on the unblinking loyalty of Dylan fans. But instead, it may have driven thousands of doughty traditionalists into the world of illegal downloads.

It is a pity, then, that the whole farrago has overshadowed the excellence of these supposed offcuts. Besides his complicit greed, Tell Tale Signs reveals a few key facts about Dylan. For one thing, it proves that the past 20 years of his career – from which these outtakes, alternative versions and live tracks are drawn – have featured some of his greatest songs: Red River Shore, for instance. And it makes plain that Dylan does not have a conventional idea of finishing a tune.

Tell Tale Signs finds him fiddling with the pace, tone and even the lyrics of his songs. There is no such thing as a definitive take, and the versions that were originally released are often inferior to those collected here. Someday Baby, for instance, has a brooding momentum that is much more impressive than the jaunty version on Modern Times.

And the worst news is that the extortionate third disc, complete with a reggaefied stab at Mississippi, is well worth having. If the hardcore won’t spend £90 for these songs, there seems little chance that Dylan’s more casual admirers will pick it up. But for those of us with deep pockets, Tell Tale Signs is a mighty addition to the old curmudgeon’s brilliant, if capricious, body of work.

To order Bob Dylan, Bootleg Series - Series 8 for £19.99 call 0845 6026328 or click here to order online.

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