Customer Reviews

The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This concert, held back in October of '92, brought together a startling array of artists, whose presence alone was tribute to the musical significance of Bob Dylan. Thankfully, they all brought instruments with them, and somebody thought to record it. What we have here are some highlights of that show, which featured remarkably tight playing throughout. Some of the highlights are surprises, others quite expected: Willie Nelson gets the vibe of "What Was It You Wanted" just right, the Clancy Brothers do a glorious rendition of "When the Ship Comes In", and the O'Jays' (yes, the O'Jays) performance of "Emotionally Yours" is downright stunning. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are a powerhouse, with Duck Dunn guesting on bass and a dual drum attack of Stan Lynch and Jim Keltner. Hearing The Band (well, 3/5 of it, anyway) give what was their first performance in ages was a treat. And Neil Young pretty well steals the show.

For all the highlights, there are a few things could have been better about this set. George Harrison's performance of "If Not For You" somehow didn't make it on here. The sound mix is decidedly bland throughout. Chrissy Hynde's guitar is completely buried on "I Shall Be Released", as are Garth Hudson and Richard Bell's accordians on "When I Paint My Masterpiece" (no wonder Neil Young insisted on mixing his tracks himself). The greatest indignity of all, though, is saved for Roger McGuinn, who sang ALL FOUR verses of "Mr. Tambourine Man" that night, not just the two that appear in this hacked-up version. The "Everybody" rendition of "Knockin' on Heavan's Door" is quite chaotic - despite the familiarity of the song, people seem to playing two different sets of chords. And, on a humorous but hardly surprising note, Bob's vocal on "My Back Pages" was redone later (I know - I still have the tape I made from the radio broadcast that night - plus, you can check the video, they don't show his mouth at all).

I think the Sinead O'Connor incident would have made a worthwhile inclusion as well, as a document of what the Woodstock generation are like now.

In any case, none of these drawbacks should keep you from buying and enjoying this set.

This album is BIG. The headliners are legends, the playlist is awesome and the music is overwhelming. Maybe there's a song or artist that isn't your favorite but there is so much to like, it's a no risk deal.

Some of my favorite parts: Booker T and the MGs backed almost everyone - their set with Neil Young was as good as his best stuff with Crazy Horse, absolutely stratospheric. George Harrison was delightfully perfect. Don't Think Twice - Clapton IS God. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers turned Rainy Day Women into its own party. My Back Pages is one of the best songs I've ever heard on any album. Clapton, McGuinn, Petty, Young, Dylan and Harrison each sing a verse. Play it loud, it will give you goosebumps. This doesn't take away anything from Johnny Cash, Richie Havens, the O'Jays, Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers and everyone else but it would start to sound like I copied the liner notes to list everyone who makes this album a really special treat.

OK, what could have been better? The Band only made it onto the album for one song - that was good but I would have enjoyed more. They are The Band, after all (or at least most of them..). And yeah - Stevie Wonder got a little preachy but he still played great. I've always liked live albums and this is one of the best I've found.

This is the most consistently "borrowed" CD I own. In fact I just re-purchased it because my original copy from many years ago was "borrowed" and not returned. Even though I downloaded it to ITunes and listen to it mostly on my IPod, I enjoy it so much that I want the original CD in my collection...not just a copy. What's so great about this CD? Well,the talent roster reads like a Who's Who of rock and country legends...from 1992. Legends who were great then and are still great now. It's not just Dylan....its Dylan sung live by Neil Young, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Willie Nelson, Ron Wood, June Carter & Johnny Cash, John Mellencamp, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Eddie Vedder, Tracy Chapman, Tom Petty, Johnny Winter, Richie Havens etc., etc. This recording is a classic, a virtual museum of music greats at the top of their form singing songs by one of the greatest song writers of our era. There is not a bad track on this 2 CD set. Buy this CD. You won't be sorry.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

October 16th, 1992 New York City's Madison Square Garden is sold out for a tribute To Bob. Dylan that is. The 30th Anniversary Concert would bring together not only Dylan's long time friends but those that were touched by his music. The evening was a true celebration and for several hours as the famed concert hall rocked, all seemed right with the world.

Fast forward to the release date of August 24, 1993 and the album capturing the festivities of October 16th of the previous year is ready for sale. There are two glaring omissions that startled many consumers. George Harrison's rendition of "If Not For You" is left in the vaults as is Eric Clapton's "Love Minus Zero, No Limit." You can't rationalize this. The rest of the selections have enough sterling moments to make a purchase worthwhile. John Mellencamp didn't take the safe road when he performed "Leopard-Skin Pill Box Hat." Equipped with a Dylan vocal inflection and some in your face rock and roll , this was a superlative version. Johnny Cash commands a lot of respect but here he pays homage to Dylan with a country interpretation of "It Ain't Me, Babe." Johnny Winter did a blowtorch version of "Highway 61 Revisited" in the 1970's and the passion and desire hasn't left his six string. Neil Young brought tears to many with "Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues." The sincerity coming from Neil's soul was evident from the opening note. Many an accolade followed Eric Clapton's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right." George Harrison was slighted without the stellar "If Not For You" being included on the 2 CD set however he couldn't be denied on "Absolutely Sweet Marie." Tom Petty supplied enough wattage on "Rainy Day Woman #12 And 35 to light up the arena. "Mr. Tambourine Man" always seems so right when Roger McGuinn is on the recording. Once again he delivers a wonderful tribute to Dylan. Not only did Roger but all those that showed to every generation Dylan's vision lives on.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

In my humble opinion, Bob Dylan has always been a much better songwriter than a performer and his performances here are good examples of a bad night for Bob. But what makes this collection so good are the classic interpretations of his songs by really great artists, included here, that you won't hear anywhere else. Clapton's version of Don't Think Twice, It's All Right is absolutely amazing. It is definitely the way that song was meant to be done. Another classic moment is Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready's version of Masters of War. Vedder brings out the anger Bob must have been feeling when he wrote it. Of course, Chrissie Hynde, Johnny Winter and Tom Petty are amazing too. Well worth the price of admission.

This is a great album...let's start like that. Eric Clapton is just plain PHENOMINAL, Tom Petty is great, Harrison is great, the worst being Dylan himself. I by far prefer the 2nd CD with Clapton's "Don't Think Twice" and the all star jam on "My Back Pages".....GET THIS!

I was living in NYC and working when I heard this concert announced on the radio. Sold out in minutes! Never did get a ticket, much to my regret but this cd and the accompanying video make me feel as if I was there to celebrate the music of Bob Dylan or as Neil Young proclaimed, 'Bobfest!'. Rarely a week goes by when I don't listen to a few tunes from this concert. The collection of artists could make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame quake in it's boots. John Mellencamp kicks things off in high gear with LIKE A ROLLING STONE. My other favorites are Richie Havens, JUST LIKE A WOMAN. Eddie Vedder, MASTERS OF WAR. The Clancy Brothers really kick it in with, WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN and Shawn Colvin kicks a** with YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE. The Band WHEN I PAINT MY MASTERPIECE and what a finish with MY BACK PAGES and KNOCKING ON HEAVENS DOOR. My only regret about this cd is someone should have edited Stevie Wonder's ranting before he kicks off BLOWIN IN THE WIND. Political rants don't belong on this cd, it's all about celebrating the songs of one of our greatest artist.

"Archie M" seems to have rather missed the point of this album, when he complains that many of the song versions here "have no resemblence to the original". That's the WHOLE IDEA OF INTERPRETATIONS! He seems to like McGuinn's "Tambourine Man" because it sounds just like the record. What's the point of that?

Sure, nobody is going to like *everything* here (I could do without Mellencamp for example), but there are a few absolute stormers - Lou Reed, Richie Havens, Tracy Chapman, and - especially - Eric Clapton. I'd go so far as to say that EC's performance of "Don't Think Twice" is not only the high point of this show, it's the high point of his *career*. If you're a fan of the "Layla" album, and have been disappointed with the mostly soporific stuff he's done since then, listen to this - it's *blistering* - right up there with "Have You Ever Loved A Woman". Great, great music.

This album really shows how broad Bob Dylan's influence has been in the music world. The list of performing artists reads like a who's who of most major music genres. While I can't say I love all the performances (the Carter/Cash rendition of "It Ain't Me Babe" comes to mind), the majority of them are marvelous and one may never hear these renditions again. I had this album on Cassette but had to get it on CD as well. This album is a great buy for any Dylan fan.

Dylan's songs have been interpreted by everyone from Trini Lopez to Jimi Hendrix, & so goes this excellent collection of legendary artists. My personal favs were Clapton, Winters, Johnny Cash, & Tom Petty. I was less impressed with John Cougar Mellencamp Smith Jones (or whatever he goes by now) & Eddie Vedder.

But it's definitely a keeper.