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Monday, January 20, 2014

The Lonesome Valley: Unreleased Live Recordings, 2000


The Lonesome Valley: Field Recordings, 2000

Don't Think Twice, It's Alright - March 15
Tomorrow Is A Long Time - March 10, Early Show
Visions Of Johanna - September 24
Song To Woody - March 16
Fourth Time Around - September 24
Chimes Of Freedom - November 2
 Country Pie - March 10, Late Show
10,000 Men - November 12
I Threw It All Away - November 2
Things Have Changed - March 10, Early Show
Man Of Peace - September 19
If Dogs Run Free - October 1
Tell Me That It Isn't True - March 10, Early Show
Dignity - March 10, Early Show
Tryin' To Get To Heaven - October 3
Wicked Messenger - September 19

Bonus Tracks:
 Blind Willie McTell - November 19
Down In The Flood - September 20
Frankie Lee & Judas Priest - September 25
Gotta Serve Somebody - September 24
My Back Pages - March 10, Late Show


MP3 Links:

Welcome friends,

Though it retained a unique character, the tours of 2000 retained a very similar sound to 1999. The band was perhaps a little tighter, and the sound got a bit more country, but the style was largely the same. One of the major developments was new songs in the setlists. Dig into the performances of songs here from Nashville Skyline, or the jazzy "If Dogs Run Free" and "Tryin' To Get To Heaven," and it becomes apparent that Dylan was working to develop a new, more retro style on these tours. In fact, looking back, you can see where "Love & Theft" came from.

Though the jazz and country rock sounds were fascinating, the acoustic sets were generally regarded as the highlights of the year. To represent that here, you've got the finest tracks of the year: the melancholy "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" and "Tomorrow Is A Long Time," the up-tempo "Visions Of Johanna," the majestic "Chimes of Freedom," and what is almost certainly the finest track of the set - "Fourth Time Around." This song has never sounded better.

I have included a handful of bonus tracks; these consist of recordings that I edited and tried to slot in, but which ended up getting cut from the final release for one reason or another. Those of you with portable music players may enjoy adding them to a playlist, since that does not have the time limitations of a compact disc. 

There are few production notes on this one. Standardizing track volume was very challenging, so it's possible that this may not flow as well as some others. Beyond compression, it is doubtful that much more could be accomplished. I hope it sounds as good to your ears as it does to mine.

If you enjoy this release, you will surely enjoy the original studio renditions of these songs, available to purchase from Columbia Records:


Folks may note the absence of any of Bob Dylan's excellent covers from this period. Worry not – these will be present in next week’s installment, which centers entirely on those songs. It’s a real firecracker! Until then, keep yourself healthy and listen to some good tunes.

-CS

8 comments:

  1. Lovely stuff! He was in strong voice that year, though perhaps a tad less crisp than in 1999. And you’ve done a great job drawing it all together.

    Appreciate the bonus tracks too. But, wait, where is Blowin’ from Santa Cruz!?

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    Replies
    1. If memory serves, that performance has been officially released. Thanks for your comments!

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    2. Has it now! I recall it being played at the end of M&A, but it wasn't on the soundtrack.

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    3. According to Olof Bjorner (my go-to reference for this kind of thing), the track was released on The Best of Bob Dylan, Volume 2: http://www.bjorner.com/DSN21380%20US%20Spring%20Tour.htm#_21440

      It would have been a shoe-in otherwise though - definitely the best performance of that song since 1980.

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  2. another very nice compilation. Not a part of the NET that I return to very much, but that's the beauty of your work - you pull out the gems for us to savour !

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  3. visions of johanna in this compilation very similar from video that i found on youtube here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8z7KzB16Ik , is that from same show? is it from portsmouth show?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, this "Visions of Johanna" is from Portsmouth, 9/24/00. Thanks for the link!

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    2. after done further research on youtube, i found this three channel, please check or maybe you already know!!
      http://www.youtube.com/luckywilbury1941
      http://www.youtube.com/user/hollisbrown000
      http://www.youtube.com/user/hollis1960

      by the way, do you have blood on the tracks half speed master? i read in ER forum its better than official release, thanks,

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