Later this month, Bob Dylan will release a new 35-track set of studio cuts recorded during sessions for 1969’s Nashville Skyline, 1970’s Self Portrait, and 1970’s New Morning. Taking its title from the middle LP of that trilogy, Another Self Portrait will include a number of covers he attempted before settling on the sprawling 24 tracks approved for the final version of what is perhaps his most critically-maligned record. “Pretty Saro” — an 18th century folk ballad popularized in Appalachia two centuries later — was performed by Dylan 6 consecutive times in a March ’70 session before ending up on the cutting room floor. Hearing this haunting, intimate solo take today, it’s hard to imagine their reasoning. But all’s well that ends well: the tune is back, along with a video of vintage photographs above.
