It's taken me so long to finally sit down and take this instalment in. But it's very much worth taking the time to listen to the songs and watch the videos alongside reading the text. The way you compose these pieces, as a mixture of histories is remarkable – not only do we can a real impression what the context of Bob Dylan’s life and career was, but you also bring in the story of your city, the lives of the musicians playing with Dylan, and of course your own biography. It’s such a unique and special reading experience that truly shows just how much Dylan’s performances impact his audiences worldwide, both individually and collectively. This really looks like such a special show, and I’m so glad that you were in attendance, because as amazing as recordings and videos are, they are always more impactful when shared alongside an eye witness report (we are SEEING through you, in keeping with the themes of the songs).
Listening to the recordings from this show, it also struck me how Dylan’s instrumentation and the roots-y feel of the Larry & Charlie band lineup anticipated the shift in popular music that was soon to take place after the release of the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack the following year (produced and curated by T-Bone Burnett of course).
What I think is hilarious about Dylan's guitar moves in Tangled Up in Blue is that I’m pretty sure the dominant guitar solo we’re hearing is coming from Charlie, so it almost looks like Dylan is miming or playing air guitar (I’m sure he was really playing, but his guitar is way down in the mix - you hear him a little better after the 3.20 mark).
Speaking of Charlie's playing, I loved watching that video of Highway 61, and I'm intrigued what happened. I assume the strap came loose, but not sure why that would require the guitar tech screwing something back on? Maybe the strap button (I'll ask Robert)? But I don’t think it was anything that impacted the sound of the instrument, because I’m pretty sure that's Charlie playing the wailing solo WHILE the tech was working on his guitar! The show must go on I suppose!
Thank you for this Graley, your Substack has been such a vital addition to the Dylan world this year, and it's very much appreciated!
It's taken me so long to finally sit down and take this instalment in. But it's very much worth taking the time to listen to the songs and watch the videos alongside reading the text. The way you compose these pieces, as a mixture of histories is remarkable – not only do we can a real impression what the context of Bob Dylan’s life and career was, but you also bring in the story of your city, the lives of the musicians playing with Dylan, and of course your own biography. It’s such a unique and special reading experience that truly shows just how much Dylan’s performances impact his audiences worldwide, both individually and collectively. This really looks like such a special show, and I’m so glad that you were in attendance, because as amazing as recordings and videos are, they are always more impactful when shared alongside an eye witness report (we are SEEING through you, in keeping with the themes of the songs).
Listening to the recordings from this show, it also struck me how Dylan’s instrumentation and the roots-y feel of the Larry & Charlie band lineup anticipated the shift in popular music that was soon to take place after the release of the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack the following year (produced and curated by T-Bone Burnett of course).
What I think is hilarious about Dylan's guitar moves in Tangled Up in Blue is that I’m pretty sure the dominant guitar solo we’re hearing is coming from Charlie, so it almost looks like Dylan is miming or playing air guitar (I’m sure he was really playing, but his guitar is way down in the mix - you hear him a little better after the 3.20 mark).
Speaking of Charlie's playing, I loved watching that video of Highway 61, and I'm intrigued what happened. I assume the strap came loose, but not sure why that would require the guitar tech screwing something back on? Maybe the strap button (I'll ask Robert)? But I don’t think it was anything that impacted the sound of the instrument, because I’m pretty sure that's Charlie playing the wailing solo WHILE the tech was working on his guitar! The show must go on I suppose!
Thank you for this Graley, your Substack has been such a vital addition to the Dylan world this year, and it's very much appreciated!