Memories: Live Recordings, Fall 2002
Seeing The Real You At Last: October 17
You're A Big Girl Now: October 7
Tombstone Blues: November 5
Accidentally Like A Martyr: October 17
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere: October 29
The End Of The Innocence: November 15
Lawyers Guns And Money: October 17
Carrying A Torch: October 19
Solid Rock: October 20
It Ain't Me Babe: October 7
Accidentally Like A Martyr: October 17
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere: October 29
The End Of The Innocence: November 15
Lawyers Guns And Money: October 17
Carrying A Torch: October 19
Solid Rock: October 20
It Ain't Me Babe: October 7
Po' Boy: November 15
Yea! Heavy & A Bottle Of Bread: November 11
Mutineer: October 17
Things Have Changed: November 15
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right: November 15
Something: November 13
Yea! Heavy & A Bottle Of Bread: November 11
Mutineer: October 17
Things Have Changed: November 15
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right: November 15
Something: November 13
Bonus Tracks:
Boom Boom Mancini: October 4
Honest With Me: November 2
In The Summertime: October 30
Watching The River Flow: October 26
Link:
This selection of songs really has something for everyone. From rockers to ballads, from jazz to folk and gospel, rarities and old classics made new again. This was truly one of Bob Dylan's greatest moments as a performing artist. The way he interpreted others' songs and intermingled them with his own compositions, both new and old, is extraordinary.
Of course, many of the finest songs from that legendary series of concerts were tributes to the dead and dying. George Harrison's "Something" was performed with tenderness, while Warren Zevon's "Accidentally Like A Martyr," "Lawyers, Guns and Money," and "Mutineer" stand out as truly inspiring dedications to that master of songwriting.
Though "The End of Innocence" is not often regarded as being in the same league with these other songs, and on most nights I would agree with that assessment, the rendition here is positively radiant with passion. It caught my attention on first listen, and I think it is actually among the highlights of this tightly packed celebration of life.
Among the originals, "Seeing The Real You At Last" is my favorite performance of that song, and "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" has got to be the best this song has sounded since 1971. The harmonies really elevate it above its normal quality. "Yea! Heavy and a Bottle of Bread" is a truly odd performance, but one that is quite pleasant. Similarly, "You're A Big Girl Now" contains one of Dylan's more peculiar rewrites (or lyrical flubs, depending upon who you ask); listen to it, and you'll know what I'm talking about.
In short, though it would always be challenging to put together a set representative of Dylan's 2002 Fall Tour, I have done my best. Certain songs had to be left out. Among the most conspicuous losses were "In The Summertime," "Old Man," and "Brown Sugar." I may be in the minority, but I could not find any performances of those songs that matched the quality of these sixteen tracks. They are interesting, and worth seeking out, but I do not miss them here.
For those interested in the more technical aspects, this volume was very tricky to balance for volume. The result is that it is a bit quieter than some of my other compilations. It is, after all, far easier to lower the volume of loud songs than to raise it for the quiter ones. The tracks from October 7 were the most impacted by volume reduction, but that leaves little qualitative impact on them. More importantly, "Tombstone Blues" is slightly truncated with a splice and "Solid Rock" had some careful work done with the channels to salvage some of the volume at the end of the song; the latter still has some trouble with channels at the beginning that could not be fully eradicated, but the effect is not especially detrimental.
With all of that said, I hope you this most recent effort agreeable. It was a lot of fun to put together, and hopefully does some justice to one of Bob Dylan's most luminous moments in the spotlight.
Of course, many of the finest songs from that legendary series of concerts were tributes to the dead and dying. George Harrison's "Something" was performed with tenderness, while Warren Zevon's "Accidentally Like A Martyr," "Lawyers, Guns and Money," and "Mutineer" stand out as truly inspiring dedications to that master of songwriting.
Though "The End of Innocence" is not often regarded as being in the same league with these other songs, and on most nights I would agree with that assessment, the rendition here is positively radiant with passion. It caught my attention on first listen, and I think it is actually among the highlights of this tightly packed celebration of life.
Among the originals, "Seeing The Real You At Last" is my favorite performance of that song, and "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" has got to be the best this song has sounded since 1971. The harmonies really elevate it above its normal quality. "Yea! Heavy and a Bottle of Bread" is a truly odd performance, but one that is quite pleasant. Similarly, "You're A Big Girl Now" contains one of Dylan's more peculiar rewrites (or lyrical flubs, depending upon who you ask); listen to it, and you'll know what I'm talking about.
In short, though it would always be challenging to put together a set representative of Dylan's 2002 Fall Tour, I have done my best. Certain songs had to be left out. Among the most conspicuous losses were "In The Summertime," "Old Man," and "Brown Sugar." I may be in the minority, but I could not find any performances of those songs that matched the quality of these sixteen tracks. They are interesting, and worth seeking out, but I do not miss them here.
For those interested in the more technical aspects, this volume was very tricky to balance for volume. The result is that it is a bit quieter than some of my other compilations. It is, after all, far easier to lower the volume of loud songs than to raise it for the quiter ones. The tracks from October 7 were the most impacted by volume reduction, but that leaves little qualitative impact on them. More importantly, "Tombstone Blues" is slightly truncated with a splice and "Solid Rock" had some careful work done with the channels to salvage some of the volume at the end of the song; the latter still has some trouble with channels at the beginning that could not be fully eradicated, but the effect is not especially detrimental.
With all of that said, I hope you this most recent effort agreeable. It was a lot of fun to put together, and hopefully does some justice to one of Bob Dylan's most luminous moments in the spotlight.
Original studio recordings of these songs can be found on the following records:
Next week you will get to hear a chronicle of one of my very favorite legs of the Never-Ending Tour: Fall 2003. While 2002 retains the greater critical acclaim, the European Tour of 2003 is even greater to my ears. You can judge for yourself next week! Until then, keep yourself healthy and listen to some good tunes.
-CS
-CS
This series is certainly a Labour of Love. They all are a fabulous collection and detail is given to probably the best available copies of most of the tracks out there. I congratualate you Sir, a fantastic effort, especially making it available to all.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the rest of your compilations. 12 out of 10.
I can only really echo Old Pa's Corner - always a pleasure ... Im downloading this and the previous selection right now .. cant wait to hear them. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteJust the same. What can I say? Many thanks for your effort
ReplyDeleteMight've known I'd bump into Old Pa over here! Thank you CWS for all this glorious music and the time you've spent ensuring each compilation is an unrivalled listening experience. Long may you continue!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant blog. The Swede sent me here. I'll be back. Thanks for all your work. Hey,Old Pa! I'll be in touch.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, everything on this blog. Thank you so very much!
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much,VERY thanks alot for this ALL
ReplyDeleteThank you kind sir.
ReplyDelete