PECO'S BLUES
Spank 107 [T-391]
(1) Pat Garrett soundtrack session (Mexico City, Mexico); January 20, 1973
(2) Pat Garrett soundtrack sessions (Burbank, CA); February 1973
Tracklist: (1) Billy, Billy, Turkey, Tom Turkey, Billy Surrenders, And He's Killed Me, Goodbye Holly, Pecos Blues, Pecos Blues, Billy (2) Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Sweet Amarillo, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Final Theme, Final Theme, Rock Me Mama, Rock Me Mama, Billy 7, Billy 7, Instrumental, instrumental, Final Theme, Final Theme
NOTE: The title of this disc should be "Pecos Blues," but due to an error in the packaging the incorrect title is now standard, and the song title is often listed incorrectly as well. The reference is to the Pecos River in Texas.
DEEP: Almost perfect quality and very enjoyable material.
EDLIS: Fans of the film will find it marvelous. Much of what circulates on tape is here.
rmd: An incredible glimpse of Dylan in the studio. A stripped down, bare bones, look at some great music. Both performance and sound are excellent, and the comments between takes quite revealing.
PHILADELPHIA THE SPECTRUM
Spectrum (Philadelphia, PA); January 6, 1974 (afternoon)
Tracklist: Ballad Of Hollis Brown, Lay Lady Lay, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, It Ain't Me Babe, Tough Mama, Ballad Of A Thin Man [Dylan/Band]; Stage Fright, Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, King Harvest, Long Black Veil, I Shall Be Released, Up On Cripple Creek [Band]; All Along The Watchtower, LeopardSkin PillBox Hat, Knockin' On Heaven's Door [Dylan/Band]; To Ramona, Mama You Been On My Mind, Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll, Nobody 'Cept You, It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) [Dylan]; Rag Mama Rag, When You Awake, The Shape I'm In, The Weight [Band]; I Don't Believe You, Forever Young, Something There Is About You, Like A Rolling Stone
NOTE: The packaging for this set includes an incorrect date and an inaccurate tracklist. DEEP: Surprisingly, a worthwhile 1974 audience recording in decent quality. While not up to current quality standards, an enjoyable set with some rarely offered tunes. Two listed tracks -- "As I Went Out One Morning" and" Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands" -- are not included, of course. Nicely housed in a color, glossy slipcase, as are most Japanese disks these days.
THE POET AND THE PLAYERS
no label 2CD [T-483]
(1) Madison Square Garden (New York, NY); January 31, 1974 (evening) (line) (2) Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland, CA); February 11, 1974 (afternoon) (line)
Tracklist: Disc One - (1) Most Likely You Go Your Way, Lay Lady Lay, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, It Ain't Me Babe, Ballad Of A Thin Man, Stage Fright, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, King Harvest, When You Awake, Up On Cripple Creek, All Along The Watchtower, Ballad Of Hollis Brown, Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Disc Two - The Times They Are A-Changin', Don't Think Twice, Gates Of Eden, Just Like A Woman, Its Alright Ma, Rag Mama Rag, This Wheel's On Fire, The Shape I'm In (2) The Weight, Forever Young, Highway 61 Revisited, Like A Rolling Stone, Maggie's Farm, Blowin' In the Wind
DEEP: This recording carries the whole of Dylan's set (less one opening line) with no breaks between tracks, giving the listener all the pre-song tuning which led into the opening riff of each song. Well balanced with the vocals upfront and in your face and each Band member easily heard in "all la glory." A forceful performance from Dylan, although while listening I'm reminded how much more I enjoy these same versions more than 20 years later with the current band. As great as the Band was/is, the songs are not given any breathing room. It's as if between Dylan's lines there are 5 soloists elbowing their way in to play their riffs. Tracks are pretty standard although you do get several which are not on the official tour document. All in all this is one fine set.
rmd: This outing is one worth locating. Perfection it ain't, but the clarity of the instrumentation and the upfront vocals make it a much truer-to-being there experience than the all too slickly Asylum Records version. Mucho energy and excitement in the playing and in Bob's singing - about as good as it was going to get in the 1974 Tour de Force. You can once again feel those old Robbie Robertson/Garth Hudson motive forces kick in to transform many songs into a whole other level of frenzied overdrive. One that was born under fire, crafted out, and then became second nature during their shows eight years earlier. This was proof that they still had it and could still do it! (Bob Stacy)
PAINT THE DAYTIME BLACK
QRecords 23/24 [T-630]
(1) Forum (Inglewood, CA); February 14, 1974 (afternoon) (line) (2) Forum (Inglewood, CA); February 14, 1974 (evening) (line)
Tracklist: Disc One: (1) Lay Lady Lay, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, It Ain't Me Babe, Ballad Of A Thin Man; Stage Fright, Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, King Harvest, When You Awake, I Shall Be Released, Up On Cripple Creek; All Along The Watchtower, Ballad Of Hollis Brown, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, She Belongs To Me, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Times They Are A- Changin',
Disc Two: Just Like A Woman, It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding); Rag Mama Rag, This Wheel's On Fire, The Weight; Forever Young, Highway 61 Revisited, Like A Rolling Stone, Blowin' In The Wind (2) Endless Highway, The Shape I'm In; Highway 61 Revisited, Like A Rolling Stone, Maggie's Farm
DEEP: A killer soundboard recording that easily eclipses the previously available circulating boards from Boston and New York City. Almost complete, the sound is oh so fine - clear and distinct, packing a wallop and perfectly mixed between voice and instruments with nice separation. Contains both Bob and The Band's sets and the performances are explosive Sublime stuff. For those who think '74 was "ho-hum," this one will turn some heads and make you reevaluate. Nice package with some fine pics from the tour. Awesome set!
NOTE: For the afternoon show, the CDs include all the Band's performances except "The Shape I'm In," which appears on Before The Flood.
BOB'S BOOTS: A little extra magic was woven into the three Inglewood shows. The music was a little tighter, the vocal performances soar, and the soundboard mix was meticulous. The reasons being: 1) after 37 performances, the art of the show had been honed to perfection. 2) Even though it was only mid February, this was the final three concerts of the tour (and of the year) 3) Probably the biggest reason that all were in top form was that the final three shows were being recorded for a possible live LP release. This package contains a nearly complete performance, missing only the opening 'Most Likely You Go Your Way' and The Band's 'The Shape I'm In'. No loss for the latter, as it appears on the official release 'Before The Flood'. However, this show's version of 'Most Likely You Go Your Way' is not the official release version. It's unknown as to why it would be left out of this 2 CD set. A good choice for the evening show filler material is The Band's only performance of 'Endless Highway' and one of only four tour performances of 'Maggie's Farm'. However, the boat was missed on releasing the most commonly performed 'Like A Rolling Stone' and leaving off the only tour performance of 'Mr Tambourine Man'. This fantastic set becomes slightly redundant for the casual collector, as it is close to the official release. The completeist and/or fan of the '74 tour, however, will find a true gem in this incredible sounboard recording.
- Paul Williams, Bob Dylan Performing Artist: The Middle Years 1974-1986
PLYMOUTH ROCK
Colosseum 97-C-015 [T-525]
(1) War Memorial Coliseum (Plymouth, MA); October 31, 1975 (line)
(2) Palace Theater (Waterbury, CT); November 11, 1975 (line)
(1) Oh, Sister, One More Cup of Coffee, Sara, Just Like A Woman, I Don't Believe You, Hurricane, This Land Is Your Land
(2) Hard Rain, Romance In Durango, Isis, Blowin' In The Wind, The Water Is Wide, I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine, Never Let Me Go, I Shall Be Released, Knockin' On Heaven's Door
DEEP: A truly outstanding disk that presents the complete circulating tracks from the superb sounding Plymouth, MA board (7) plus well-selected and appropriate filler from the long-available Waterbury, CT (9) soundboard (find the complete Dylan set from Waterbury on the hard-to-find "Tell It Like It Is"). For my money, these early Rolling Thunder shows were far better than the 2nd leg shows of '76 ("Hard Rain" notwithstanding), as they seem to carry an edginess and spontaneity that is not as apparent
on the '76 gigs. Dylan's singing on the Plymouth tracks is amazing - listen to the way he softly caresses Oh, Sister, takes you somewhere mysterious and dark on "One More Cup of Coffee" and breaks your heart with his gentle vocal on "Sara." There's a calm smoothness to the way he sings these tracks that gives them even more depth of feeling. When he sings "....lovin' you is one thing I'll never forget," you can't help but feel his pain. Just Like A Woman follows and is simply the best version I've ever heard, full of Dylan's twisting and turning of the lyrics and with exceptionally fine back-up from Joan. As a matter of fact, Joan shines throughout these tracks.
An acoustic "I Don't Believe You" opens it up and is followed by a "Hurricane" showcasing Scarlet's violin, which remains prominent throughout the set. Just as he did with the whole of Desire, Dylan takes you so many different places with these songs - the way he sings them, the words, the sounds of the band - it's like being a passenger along for a ride but you're riding inside his head, yet still able to see things with your own eyes. I always found Desire to be one of his most interesting and mysterious albums and certainly the most unique in terms of the sound and the way he sang. He was able to capture this mystery on stage on the first leg of RT, which is what makes these songs unique. Plymouth ends with a free-for-all on "This Land Is Your Land" and then the great Waterbury "filler" follows- Hard Rain, Durango, Isis, Blowin', Water Is Wide, St Augustine, Never Let me Go, Released, Knockin'. Incredible, upfront and true quality plus performances to match, not to mention what is perhaps the coolest pic of Dylan to ever grace a CD cover - Bob walking down a country road in the snow with a multicolored coat and feathered hat. Don't pass this one by.
CDG: The quality of these recordings is stunning and the performances match that excellence.
rmd: If you want to hear the Desire sound produced live, in good quality, with a delicious "live" feeling and ambiance, then look no further. Dylan's voice carries an expressive softness which I very much like. Most unlikely to disappoint any listener.
TELL IT LIKE IT IS
Spacematic 004 [T-245]
Palace Theater (Waterbury, CT); November 11, 1975
Tracklist: Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Romance In Durango, Isis, Blowin' In The Wind (w/Joan Baez), Water Is Wide (w/Joan Baez), I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine (w/Joan Baez), Never Let Me Go (w/Joan Baez), I Shall Be Released (w/Joan Baez), Hurricane, One More Cup Of Coffee, Sara, Just Like A Woman, Knockin' On Heaven's Door (w/Roger McGuinn)
NOTE: Not as complete as "Satisfied Man."
CDG: Soundboard from Rolling Thunder show: beautiful harmonies with Joan Baez; good pacing and song selection.
COWBOY ANGEL BLUES
QRecords 21/22 [T-621]
(1) Music Hall (Boston, MA); November 21, 1975 (evening) (line)
(2) War Memorial Coliseum (Plymouth, MA); October 31, 1975 (line)
(3) Palace Theater (Waterbury, CT); November 11, 1975 (line)
(4) Maple Leaf Gardens (Toronto, ON); December 1, 1975
Tracklist: (1) When I Paint My Masterpiece (w/Bobby Neuwirth), it Ain't Me Babe, Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll, It Takes A Lot To Laugh, Romance In Durango, Isis, Blowin' In The Wind (w/Joan Baez), The Water Is Wide (w/Joan Baez), Mama You Been On My Mind (w/Joan Baez), Dark As A Dungeon (w/Joan Baez), I Don't Believe You, Tangled Up In Blue, Oh Sister, Hurricane, One More Cup Of Coffee, Sara, Just Like A Woman, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, This Land Is Your Land
(2) I Don't Believe You, Hurricane, Oh Sister, One More Cup Of Coffee, Sara, Just Like A Woman, This Land Is Your Land
(3) Simple Twist Of Fate, Oh Sister
(4) It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Love Minus Zero
DEEP: This one falls into the category of, "If you don't get it, you don't get it." Along with the fabulous Knight Of The Hurricane, this is the definitive collection of Rolling Thunder '75. The performances are outrageously good - the Boston is complete and in much better sound that the old Great Dane set (and not cut up, either). To include the complete circulating Plymouth soundboard (7 tracks) was a master stroke, considering the original Japanese "Plymouth Rock" is impossible to get. The 2 tracks from Waterbury (STOF, Oh Sister) are the ones left off "Tell It Like It Is," so if you have that, coupling it with this gives the complete circulating Waterbury (which was issued complete on "Satisfied Man" but that, too, is a toughie). Then, to finish it off with two transcendent Toronto tracks not included elsewhere on the set (Baby Blue/ Love-0) is just icing on an already tasty cake. Essential stuff in terrific quality. Oh - the wonderful, original artwork is a welcome departure from the usual "slap on an old photo and graphics" fare - I particularly like the colorful background scheme, which to me has a nice "Rolling Thunder" feel to it. Read the Sam Shepard excerpt from the "RT Logbook" on the inner sleeve, too. It captures the scene perfectly.
BOB'S BOOTS: One of my all time favorite RTR shows has been cleaned up beautifully, and released in proper performance order. This show has been available on CD since 1990 on Great Dane's classic 'Get Ready...'. This is one of the all-time great boot CD releases. Passionately inspired performances, great quality sound, a wide selection of songs, and several 'Desire' tracks all combine with Dylan being talkative, and dead on with the perfectly paced deliveries, to create a must-have CD. The only thing I don't care for is the original pen and water-color art work used for the cover. It is a nicely done primitive, and it does inspire the loose feeling associated with the tour; but my personal preference is for vintage photos. There are so many great, undiscovered RTR shots out there. The Boston show alone makes this show indispensable to the collection... but there's more. Q has also included all seven of the circulating songs from the soundboard of Plymouth. Just as incredible and awe-inspiring, and not as commonly available on CD. Now what would you pay? But wait ... there's more! To finish out the filler are two classics each from the Waterbury and Toronto soundboards that help to make this CD a boot to own if you own no other.
FLAGGIN' DOWN THE DOUBLE E'S
Razor's Edge 014/015 [T-429]
(1) Maple Leaf Gardens (Toronto, ON); December 1, 1975 (2) Maple Leaf Gardens (Toronto, ON); December 2, 1975 (3) Municipal Auditorium (Bangor, ME); November 27, 1975 (4) Civic Center (Providence, RI); November 4, 1975 (afternoon) (5) Civic Center (Providence, RI); November 4, 1975 (evening)
Tracklist: (1) When I Paint My Masterpiece, It Ain't Me Babe, The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll, Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You, It Takes A Lot To Laugh, Romance In Durango, Isis, The Times They Are A-Changin', Dark As A Dungeon, Never Let Me Go, I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine, I Shall Be Released, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Love Minus Zero, Simple Twist Of Fate, Oh Sister, Hurricane, One More Cup Of Coffee, Sara, Just Like A Woman, Knockin' On Heaven's Door: This Land Is Your Land (2) Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Blowin' In The Wind, Wild Mountain Thyme, Mama You Been On My Mind, Mr Tambourine Man, Tangled Up In Blue (3) I Don't Believe You (4) With God On Our Side (5) It's Airight Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
DEEP: Very listenable, more so than "Get Ready! Tonite Bob is Staying Here With You" if only because of the evenness of the recording. Performance is phenomenal, a lot of great acoustic stuff and hey, an entire '75 show can't be bad. Another excellent job -- if you like Rolling Thunder, highly recommended. Nice cover, too.
BOB'S BOOTS: This great two CD set captures the entire Dylan portion of the Toronto show. A mind blowing performance in fantastic soundboard quality. If you are a fan of Rolling Thunder, this is an absolute 'must-have' CD. Any collection, of any size needs at least one RTR tour show. This one would be a wonderful choice. The cover is a wild shot of Dylan in partial face pancake.
KNIGHT OF THE HURRICANE
Razor's Edge GWW 001/002 [T-552]
Madison Square Garden (New York, NY); December 8, 1975
Tracklist: When I Paint My Masterpiece (w/Bobby Neuwirth), It Ain't Me Babe, The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll, Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You, It Takes A Lot To Laugh A Train To Cry (w/Robbie Robertson), Romance In Durango, Isis; The Times They Are A-Changin' (w/Joan Baez), Dark As A Dungeon (w/Joan Baez), Mama You Been On My Mind (w/Joan Baez), Never Let Me Go (w/Joan Baez), I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine (w/Joan Baez), I Shall Be Released (w/Joan Baez); Love Minus Zero/No Limit, Simple Twist Of Fate, Oh Sister, Hurricane, One More Cup Of Coffee, Sara, Just Like A Woman, Knockin' On Heaven's Door (w/Roger McGuinn), This Land Is Your Land (w/Revue).
DEEP: Let's make this one short and sweet. This is by far the best audience recording of a RT show, far eclipsing the Toronto tracks available on "Flagging Down the EEs" and easily setting the standard for a 75/76 audience tape of Rolling Thunder, IMO. The sound knocks me out - every nuance of voice and music is intact, Bob's vocals ring loud and clear (yes, even at very high volumes) and the recording retains a warmth that is unusual for a mid 70's tape. This one was worth the wait. Need I mention the performance? To me, these '75 gigs are arguably the most memorable of a career filled with memorables (sic). You gotta hear the guitar (Ronson?) on Hattie Carroll to believe it. Dylan's vocals rip at the heart of injustice and the guitar IS Hattie Carroll's screaming anguish. Incredible stuff. The duets with Baez are superb. MamaYouBin is a shit-kicking foot stomper.The band weaves a unique stew of rock-folk-country-Arabian-blues and seemingly creates a new type of music along the way - just call it Dylan. The solo acoustic tunes are incredibly sung, filled with sorrow and pain and regret and longing - Love-0, SimpleTwist, OhSister. Scarlett Rivera's violin is nothing short of remarkable - it's amazing how the "Desire" sound is recreated on stage by all the musicians. It just meshes, this traveling troupe of musicians and the king of the troubadours, blowing into NYCity and playing their asses off for Rubin Carter. OneMoreCup/Sara/JLAW - divine, all. This one sits nicely with the boards from this leg - Waterbury, Plymouth & Boston - and is a real stunner. Not to be missed.
AT THE WAREHOUSE
TMQ BDCD 001 [T-336]
Warehouse (New Orleans, LA); May 3, 1976 (line)
Tracklist: Mr Tambourine Man, Love Minus Zero, Vincent van Gogh, Maggie's Farm, Mozambique; Diamonds And Rust [Joan Baez solo]; Railroad Boy, I Pity The Poor Immigrant, Shelter From The Storm, Memphis Blues Again, You're A Big Girl Now, Rita Mae, Lay Lady Lay, Idiot Wind, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Gotta Travel On
NOTE: "Diamonds And Rust" is often reported incorrectly as "Isis"; that track survives only as a fragment, and is not included on this disc.
HOLD THE FORT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH
Wild Wolf 2CD [T-666]
(1) Tarrant County Convention Center (Fort Worth, TX); May 16, 1976 (line)
(2) Warehouse (New Orleans, LA); May 3, 1976
(3) Tarrant County Convention Center (Fort Worth, TX); May 16, 1976(line/audience)
(4) State Fair (Oklahoma City, OK); May 18, 1976 (line)
(5) Tarrant County Convention Center (Fort Worth, TX); May 16, 1976 (line/audience)
(6) Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO); May 23, 1976
(7) Bellevue Biltmore Hotel Rehearsal (Clearwater, FL); April 15, 1976
(8) Civic Center (Lakeland, FL); April 18, 1976
Tracklist: (1) Mr Tambourine Man, It Ain't Me Babe, Vincent Van Gogh, Maggie's Farm, One Too Many Mornings, Mozambique, Isis, Blowin' In The Wind, Railroad Boy, Deportees, I Pity The Poor Immigrant, Shelter From The Storm, I Threw It All Away, Memphis Blues Again (2) Rita Mae (3) Oh Sister, You're A Big Girl Now, You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go, Lay Lady Lay, Silver Mantis [T-Bone Burnette] (4) I Want You (5) Going Going Gone, Idiot Wind, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Gotta Travel On (6) Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (7) The Sun Is Shining (8) Weary Blues From Waiting
DEEP: The quintessential Rolling Thunder '76 tour document, presented in best ever, pristine sound quality that lays waste to previous incarnations of this material. Suffice it to say that there's lots happening on these discs that you want to hear. Great cover, too!
BLOOD & THUNDER
Junk 003 [T-607]
(1) State Fair Arena (Oklahoma City, OK); May 18, 1976 (line)
(2) Municipal Auditorium (San Antonio, TX); May 11, 1976 (line)
(3) Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO); May 23, 1976 (line)
Tracklist: (1) Maggie's Farm, Isis, Mozambique, One Too Many Mornings, I Pity The Poor Immigrant, Shelter From The Storm, Oh Sister, You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go, Lay Lady Lay, I Want You, Going Going Gone
(2) You're A Big Girl Now, Idiot Wind
(3) Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
DEEP: A complete and much improved recording of the Oklahoma City soundboard tape, although not up to the standards we've come to expect from boards these days. The sound, in fact, fits the event, giving it a mangy kind of dust-bowl and tumbleweed type vibe. The unique Desire sound is captured on stage, running the gamut from the raunchy rock blues of "Maggie's Farm" to the soul-searching, almost plaintive "Going Going Gone," from the mystical sound of "Isisquot; to the countrified and jaunty "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go." Just listen..... oh, and the filler.
rmd: Highly, highly recommended. Not quite up to the standard of "Hold The Fort (For What It's Worth," the definitive 1976 disc, but a very close second -- and several of the individual tracks are better!
ACOUSTIC THUNDER
Wild Wolf 75/76 1CD [T-671]
(1) Civic Center Theater (Lakeland, FL); April 18, 1976
(2) Curtis Hixon Center (Tampa, FL); April 21, 1976
(3) Belleview Biltmore Hotel (Clearwater, FL); April 22, 1976 (afternoon)
(4) Belleview Biltmore Hotel (Clearwater, FL); April 22, 1976 (evening)
(5) University of West Florida (Pensacola, FL); April 28, 1976
(6) Municipal Auditorium (Mobile, AL); April 29, 1976 (evening)
(7) Reid Green Coliseum (Hattieburg, MS); May 1, 1976
(8) Warehouse (New Orleans, LA); May 3, 1976
(9) Hofheinz Pavilion (Austin, TX); May 8, 1976
(10) Municipal Auditorium (San Antonio, TX); May 11, 1976
(11) Tarrant County Convention Center (Fort Worth, TX); May 16, 1976
(12) Civic Center (Augusta, ME); November 26, 1975
Tracklist: (1) Visions of Johanna, If You See Her Say Hello
(2) Tangled Up In Blue
(3) Times They Are A-Changin'
(4) One More Cup Of Coffee
(5) Just Like A Woman
(6) Mr. Tambourine Man, It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
(7) Simple Twist Of Fate
(8) Love Minus Zero
(9) It's All Over Now Baby Blue
(10) Spanish Is The Loving Tongue
(11) It Ain't Me Babe
(12) Fourth Time Around
DEEP: This one makes you stand up and take notice. Not a casual listen, as the quality on some of the tracks, while always very
listenable, requires your rapt attention. Do so, and find yourself wholly engrossed by the unique performances contained therein.
From the unglitched "Visions" and for-the-ages rewritten "If You See Her" from Lakeland (previously available on the excellent and rare "Un1976Titled"), to the haunting "One More Cup Of Coffee" from Clearwater with Scarlett's breathtaking 1:30+ violin intro and Dylan's unbelievable vocal performance (the only cut of the 14 where Dylan is accompanied), to the ultra-rare "It's Alright Ma," (Mobile-evening) "Baby Blue" (Houston) and "4th Time Around" one-off (Maine 11/26/75), to the ever-elusive "Spanish is the Loving Tongue" from San Antonio, this set showcases the solo Dylan at his most unique and adventurous best during the RT tour and includes good quality versions of mainly rare performances.
As mentioned, best to fully immerse yourself in this one while able to give it your full focus, i.e. car, home alone, head cans. It yields best results that way, IMO. Vintage color picture cover with snazzy design and killer Bob color pic on back cover. Essential listening.
THE HIDDEN TV SHOWS
Angry Dino 1014 [T-431]
(1) Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO); May 23, 1976 (video feed)
(2) Starlight Ballroom (Clearwater, FL); April 22, 1976 (afternoon) (video feed)
(3) Starlight Ballroom (Clearwater, FL); April 22, 1976 (evening) (video feed)
Tracklist: (1) Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Blowin' In The Wind, Railroad Boy, Deportees, I Pity The Poor Immigrant, Mozambique
(2) Mr. Tambourine Man, Times They Are A-Changin', I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine, When I Paint My Masterpiece
(3) Like A Rolling Stone, Isis, Just Like A Woman, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Lay Lady Lay
NOTE: This disc is often listed as "Like A Rolling Stone," which appears more prominently on the front cover than the listed title. The Guide follows the title used on the standard T-list.
EDLIS: Sound quality is what you would expect from a video copy, more distortion and echo than from straight audio. Nevertheless enjoyable if you like Rolling Thunder.
DEEP: One of the best releases of 1995.
MOVING VIOLATION
Condor/Toasted 1966 [T-130]
Rundown Studios (Santa Monica, CA); January 30, 1978
Tracklist: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight, The Times They Are A-Changin', If You See Her Say Hello, I Don't Believe You, Tomorrow Is A Long Time, You're A Big Girl Now, Simple Twist Of Fate, If You See Her Say Hello, I Don't Believe You, I Threw It All Away, Maggie's Farm, Repossession Blues, Girl From The North Country, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
rmd: The sound quality is not so great on some of this, especially if you are using headphones. But generally, I am glad I have it. (Paul Bullen)
DARKNESS AT THE BREAK OF NOON
Razor's Edge 021 [T-016]
(1) Rundown Studios (Santa Monica, CA); January 30, 1978 (2) Rundown Studios (Santa Monica, CA); February 1, 1978 (3) Rundown Studios (Santa Monica, CA); April, 1978
Tracklist: (1) I'll Be Your Baby Tonight, The Times They Are A Changin', If You See Her, Say Hello, The Man In Me, I Don't Believe You, Tomorrow Is A Long Time, You're A Big Girl Now,Knockin' On Heaven's Door, It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding), Forever Young (2) Repossession Blues, One Of Us Must Know, Girl From the North Country (3) We Better Talk This Over, Coming From The Heart, Simple Twist Of Fate, If You See Her Say Hello, I Don't Believe You
DEEP: This CD presents the complete circulating studio rehearsals from 1978 in improved (outstanding) quality but these play out more like studio outtakes. They are not rough runthroughs but fully realized, polished versions with (in several cases) radically reworked lyrics. For my money, these performances are exceptional and superior to the performances on Budokan. Dylan's vocals are exceptionally sharp and the arrangements are very enjoyable. A very enjoyable and unique set with several rare trax and even rarer arrangements. I can't say enough about how enjoyable this material is. Very interesting arrangements, all with either a real blues or jazz feel to them.
CDG: A very fine disc with excellent versions of several scarcer songs.
BORDER BENEATH THE SUN
Silver Rarities SIRA 36/37 [T-216]
Pavillon (Paris, France); July 6, 1978
Tracklist: Disc One - My Back Pages (Instrumental tease), She's Love Crazy, Baby Stop Crying, Mr Tambourine Man, Shelter From The Storm, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Tangled Up In Blue, Ballad Of A Thin Man, Maggie's Farm, I Don't Believe You, Like A Rolling Stone, I Shall Be Released, Going Going Gone, Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35, True Love Tends To Forget, Gates Of Eden,
Disc Two - The Man In Me, One More Cup Of Coffee, Blowin' In The Wind, I Want You, Señor (Tales Of Yankee Power), Masters Of War, Just Like A Woman, Don't Think Twice, All Along The Watchtower, All I Really Want To Do, It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding), Forever Young, Changing Of The Guards, The Times They Are A-Changin'
rmd: An excellent performance in good sound. (Matthew Zuckerman)
- Paul Williams, Bob Dylan Performing Artist: The Middle Years 1974-1986
NEW FOUND FAITH
Wanted Man WMM 058/059 [T-405]
Fox Warfield Theater (San Francisco, CA); November 1, 1979
Tracklist: Disc One: Gotta Serve Somebody, I Believe In You, When You Gonna Wake Up?, When He Returns, Man Gave Names To All The Animals, Precious Angel, Slow Train, Covenant Woman,
Disc Two: Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking, Do Right To Me Baby, Solid Rock, Saving Grace, What Can I Do For You, Saved, In The Garden, Blessed Is The Name, Pressing On
rmd: Sound quality is good enough. Probably the worst of the commonly circulating shows from this tour. It was the first night: Bob's nervous, the band is a little uncomfortable with the scene, and the audience is in shock. (DM) Historically interesting, but hardly one of the better 1979 Warfield shows. The sound is pretty good. "Contract With The Lord" is far superior, on performance, as well as sound. (WP)
CONTRACT WITH THE LORD
Silver Rarities 12 [T-182] and 13 [T-183]
(1) Fox Warfield Theater (San Francisco, CA); November 16, 1979
(2) Civic Auditorium (Santa Monica, CA); November 1979
(3) Muscle Shoals Studio (Sheffield, AL); April 30, 1979
Tracklist: (1) Gotta Serve Somebody, I Believe In You, When You Gonna Wake Up, When He Returns, Man Gave Names To All The Animals, Precious Angel, Slow Train, Covenant Woman, Ain't No Man Righteous, God Uses Ordinary People (not Dylan), Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking, Do Right To Me Baby, Solid Rock, Saving Grace, Saved, What Can I Do For You, In The Garden, Blessed Be The Name, Pressing On
(2) In The Garden
(3) Trouble In Mind (6-verse version)
rmd: An extraordinary performance. The music of rebirth. The passion and joy here makes Saved sound all the more empty and limp. This show might win you over if you don't yet appreciate Bob's gospel. The sound quality of this audience recording, sadly, is merely very good.
PREACHING TO THE CONVERTED
Doberman 184/185
Civic Auditorium (Santa Monica, CA); November 21, 1979
Tracklist: Gotta Serve Somebody, I Believe In You, When You Gonna Wake Up, When He Returns, Man Gave Names To All The Animals, Precious Angel, Slow Train, Covenant Woman, Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking, Do Right To Me Baby, Solid Rock, Saving Grace, Saved, What Can I Do For You, In The Garden, Blessed Is The Name, Pressing On
BOB'S BOOTS: The end of November 1979 found Dylan in a four night residency at Santa Monica's Civic Auditorium. The gospel fervor was at a fever pitch on this final night. Brother Love's traveling salvation show let go, and the valley shook. This CD is the full story of that event as it was handed down. All shows were documented by stereo audience recordings. This one is perhaps the best quality of all. Even though at times it's a little distant and muddy, it's always full and warm and easy to listen to. It's a powerful and inspired performance. The band is tight and Dylan's on fire. Gospel fans will love it. Those that like to hear Bob talk need to pick this one up just to hear him preaching to the converted.
IN THE WILDERNESS
no label 2CDR
Gammage Center (Tempe, AZ); November 26, 1979
Tracklist: Disc One: Gotta Serve Somebody, I Believe In You, When You Gonna Wake Up, When He Returns, Man Gave Names To All The Animals, Precious Angel, Slow Train, Covenant Woman, Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking, Do Right To Me Baby
Disc Two: Solid Rock, Saving Grace, Saved, What Can I Do For You, In The Garden
NOTE: The original packaging for this fan project breaks out several of Dylan's longer between-song sermonettes as discrete (and individually titled) tracks.