Though I started this blog in 2004 it wasn’t until 2008 that I started posting bootlegs for download. That’s approximately fifteen years (more or less, there have been some stops and starts along the way) of me posting shows on this blog. I don’t have any real idea of how many shows I’ve posted in all those years. I’ve got 6,960 of them that I’ve labeled “Bootleg Bonanza” which is what I used to call those posts. But that doesn’t include any of the shows that are still locked away in private mode, nor any of the more recent shows that I’ve thrown up on Google Drive. That’s a lot of sharing. I’m proud of that.
Five years ago I did a series of posts where I celebrated Ten Years of Bootlegs. I did a little countdown of my Top Ten most popular bootleg posts, according to my hit counter. I thought it would be fun to revisit that post with an update for the 15 Year Anniversary.
As always there are caveats. My hit counter is wrong. Over the years I have switched a time or two between WordPress and Blogger. I’ve had my own website, I’ve downloaded counters, and relied on whatever WordPress uses internally. I went private for a few years, blocking all search engine access. I urged everyone to sign up for my e-mails (which means most people never actually come to the site, they just download from the e-mail.) And now that I’m doing daily posts where I mostly link directly to Google instead of doing individual posts for each show. All of that has massively messed with my stats.
But with all of that in mind, I still think it is fun to see what is most popular.
Here’s the original list, with original stats.
10. Bob Dylan – Abandoned Desire – 2251 hits
09. Bob Dylan – 1978 Tour Collection – 2125 hits
08. Bob Dylan – The Genuine Never Ending Tour Covers Collection (1988-2006) – 2345 hits
07. Bob Dylan & The Grateful Dead – The Entire Tour – 3015 hits
06. Bob Dylan – The Complete Supper Club Soundboards – 3302 hits
05. Bob Dylan & Mark Knopfler – The Complete Recording Session – 3254 hits
04. Bob Dylan – Santa Cruz, CA (03/15-16/00) – 2874 hits
03. Bob Dylan – A Couple More Years – 3646 hits
02. The Allman Brothers Band – San Francisco, CA (12/31/73) – 3552 hits
01. Bob Dylan – The 1974 Soundboard Collection – 4367 hits
And here’s the updated list.
10. Bob Dylan & The Grateful Dead – San Rafael, CA (06/01/87) – 3802 hits
09. Bob Dylan – 1978 Tour Compilation – 3891 hits
08. The Grateful Dead – The Entire Warfield Theatre 1980 Run – 3963 hits
Van Morrison – Shows by Year – 4251
07. Bob Dylan – Santa Cruz, CA (03/15-16/00) – 4459 hits
06. Bob Dylan – The Genuine Never Ending Tour Covers Collection (1988-2000) – 4641 hits
05. The Allman Brothers – San Francisco, CA (12/31/73) 4880 hits
Grateful Dead: Shows by Year – 5103
04. Bob Dylan & Mark Knopfler – The Complete Recording Sessions 1979-1986 – 5191 hits
03. Bob Dylan – Complete Supper Club Soundboards – 5323 hits
02. Bob Dylan – 1974 Soundboard Collection – 6487 hits
01. Bob Dylan & The Grateful Dead – The Entire Tour – 8139 hits
So as you can see it mostly stayed the same, which makes sense, I guess. What was popular then stayed popular now. The positioning has changed a bit which is interesting.
The Dead’s Warfield run of 1980 joined the list. It wasn’t posted until the middle of these anniversary posts which explains why it wasn’t on the original list. And a single Dylan and the Dead show also entered the list. I’m not sure why that particular one is popular. Pushed out were two Dylan outtake sessions – Abandoned Desire and A Couple More Years.
And there you have it. I don’t know if anyone but me cares about this stuff but I think it is pretty interesting. It does sadden me a little to realize that the way I post shows now pretty much eliminates my ability to know which shows are the most popular. Maybe someday I’ll go back to posting individual posts for individual shows, but that day isn’t today.
themidnightcafe.org 
Hi Mat, Mostly want to thank you again for all the cool stuff over the last couple of years that I’ve read or subscribed. You have a lot of Dylan fans out here. Back in January you were writing about the movies you had enjoyed in the previous year. I recommended the movie “Buried – The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche”. May I please buy you a viewing through Amazon? With the bribe in, I found that I only have one of the shows from the 1980 Warfield Dead run and so went to download the rest. The Amazon Drive is retuning an Empty File message on all the shows. Shucks. Is it me? Any chance these are still accessible somewhere? Thanks again, all things positive, R.
Oh man, I worked really hard to ensure that all the posts had working links. Somehow I completely forgot about the Warfield run. I will start uploading those soon. It will probably take me a few days to get them all up as it is some 32 gigs worth of shows. But I will get them up.
No need to bribe me, but I will put that film on my list of things to watch.
Thanks again Mat. Bribe wasn’t the right word. A gift for all the good is more appropriate, and the offer always remains open.
Mat, your blog ROCKS! I can’t tell you how much of the music you’ve posted here has been the soundtrack to so many of my days. Thank you so much for all the time and care you put into it. I truly appreciate it.
It’s cool seeing the list of top downloads, even if not exact – love it that you have so many Dylan fans here! He’s my favorite musician, along with Van Morrison.
In fact, today is a cool day for me – the Bob Dylan book I designed (on behalf of the author, Ray Padgett, who wrote an amazing book) is out! Seeing how many Dylan fans there are here, sharing a link if anyone’s interested. I don’t make any profit off it now that my work’s done but I’m just sharing because the book is fantastic.
Pledging My Time: Conversations with Bob Dylan Band Members – by Ray Padgett
https://many.bio/pledging
And again, congratulations on the longevity of your blog. It’s hard to keep ANYTHING running this well for 15 years straight! 🙂
Thank you my friend. I truly appreciate that yo take time out to like my posts and make lots of comments. It really means a lot. I saw that Ray’s book came out today. That’s really awesome. I hate to say it but I am really strapped for cash right now, but it is definitely on my wish list.
Message me your email address (if you have a way to do that) and I’d love to PayPal you the funds to get the book – it’s the least I can do after all you give through this blog! I know what it’s like to navigate low funds. Sending you good energy as you navigate that, and if I see a message with your email I am gifting that to you tout suite!
Amazing body of work Mat, thanks for all that you have accomplished. If you come across Van the Man at Hampton Court – 13 August 2021, please drop me a line…Thanks!
If I see that show it will show up here.
I’ve been with you for most of this journey. Your generosity in sharing your music is legendary. Thank you and may you continue in whatever format you chose!
Thank you!
Mat – I’ve been along for the ride for at least 10 years. This is a good opportunity to say thank you once again for all your work on the blog. I’ve gotten countless hours of enjoyment from all that you’ve shared. Hope you’re able to keep it up for a good long time to come!
That’s awesome. Thanks for hanging around for so long.