A Mark In Time

Previous Tours => 2011 Mark Knopfler & Bob Dylan Tour => Topic started by: Love Expresso on August 04, 2011, 10:44:01 AM

Title: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Love Expresso on August 04, 2011, 10:44:01 AM
I know, some would say "listen to it all", but I thought maybe there's some folk around here that isn't too familiar with Bob's (later/latest) works. So if you can recommend something to listen to, I think it would be nice to put it here.

I used to listen to BD since my early Dire Straits times from 1985 on, and of course Slow Train Coming and Infidels were the first ones. But I soon wanted to have them all.
In 1997, I re-discovered him with the absolute phantastic and brilliant "Time Out Of Mind". But before that, "Oh, Mercy" was also a long-time-companion on my (then) discman... That was produced by Daniel Lanois and has a very Dylan-untypical recording style.

And it was just today that I found myself cruising through amazon and found "Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased" from 1998, part 8 of the Bootleg Series, which has some really awesome stuff on it. Alternate versions and takes, unreleased stuff, some live tracks - this is exactly the kind of album I wish MK would release...

Track I wish he would play live? Lonesome Day Blues. And Tangled Up in Blue.

All the best,

LE
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: superval99 on August 04, 2011, 10:53:27 AM
I'd love to hear them play "I and I" and "Slow Train", also "Gonna Change my way of Thinking".    I love that bluesy style!
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Pottel on August 04, 2011, 11:47:39 AM
Series of Dreams
Things have Changed
Blind Willie McTell
I and I
Slow train Coming
God gives names to all the animals
i want you
Ain't Talking
High Water
Stack-o-lee
all of Time out of Mind
...
ALL of Theme Time Radio Hour, been listening to the three seasons of this brilliant mix of music for the past week, without a break (of other music)
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: jbaent on August 04, 2011, 12:09:58 PM
I recommend to take a look at bobdylan.com live section, I think they put the setlists there...

However he
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: dmg on August 04, 2011, 12:27:29 PM
I recommend to take a look at bobdylan.com live section, I think they put the setlists there...

However he
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: dannyjun on August 04, 2011, 12:42:53 PM
It would be great, but I am afraid, that won
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: dannyjun on August 04, 2011, 12:45:42 PM
But yes, it would be much easier with set about 70 minutes...so, who knows?  ;)
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Fletch on August 05, 2011, 08:15:00 AM
Tell Tale Times is great, along with the other Bootleg boxset (vol 1-3).

Apart from Slow Train & Infidels, i really really really love Blood On The Tracks and Highway 61 Revisited - absolute classics. Blonde On Blonde is pretty darned good as well and Together Through Life. I also have a soft spot for Saved, but be careful, its heavily Christian/Gospel!!! ;D
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: tunnel85 on August 05, 2011, 10:38:10 AM
I would recommend :

Masters of war
North Country Blues
Ballad of Hollis Brown
All along the watchtower
The entire Slow train coming album
I and I
Blind Willie McTell
Foot of pride
Man of peace
Man in the long black coat
What was it you wanted
Senor
Things have changed
Thunder on the mountain

No Knocking on heaven's door, Like a rolling stone, Blowin' in the wind, ... very famous BD songs but overrated IMHO. It's a question of taste, I would say the same for R&J.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: jbaent on August 06, 2011, 01:00:17 PM
Last setlist:

Harold Lepidus
, Bob Dylan Examiner
August 6, 2011 - Like this? Subscribe to get instant updates.
http://www.examiner.com/user/1302751/1651351/subscribe?render=overlay (http://www.examiner.com/user/1302751/1651351/subscribe?render=overlay)

August 5, 2011
Kettering, OH
Fraze Pavilion
SET LIST

Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Girl From The North Country
Things Have Changed
Tangled Up In Blue
Beyond Here Lies Nothin'
Mississippi
Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
Desolation Row
The Levee's Gonna Break
Tryin' To Get To Heaven
Highway 61 Revisited
Simple Twist Of Fate
Thunder On The Mountain
Ballad Of A Thin Man //
Like A Rolling Stone
All Along The Watchtower

Tour debut for "Girl From The North Country", "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" is back in the opening slot, return of "Tryin' To Get To Heaven", "Highway 61 Revisited", and "Simple Twist Of Fate", plus the second "Desolation Row" and "Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum" of the tour (both last played on July 18 in Phoenix), not to mention the seventh "Mississippi" in a row.

Dropped from previous show: "Blowin' In The Wind", "Forgetful Heart", "High Water (for Charlie Patton)", "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", "Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35", and "Sugar Baby".

This show featured the Carolina Chocolate Drops as the support act instead of Leon Russell, which may be the reason Dylan's set was slightly longer than usual.

I spoke with Dom Flemons of the Chocolate Drops earlier today over the phone, and he told me that the response from people has been "really enthusiastic. People know I've been into Dylan for years, and now it's come full circle. Hopefully we'll get to meet Bob, but I'm not expecting to. His privacy is legendary." (Look for the complete interview soon in Bob Dylan Examiner.)

Keep up with Bob Dylan Examiner news. Just click on Subscribe above, or follow @DylanExaminer on Twitter. Thanks for your support ...
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: jbaent on August 06, 2011, 01:13:12 PM
By the way, this videoclip has been always one of my favourites

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J4O2-nsFBA
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: VisionsOfJohanna on August 09, 2011, 11:10:33 AM
Time Out Of Mind (1997)
"Love And Theft" (2001)

For me, his best recent albums. Then, Blood On The Tracks (1974), Oh Mercy (1989)...
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: dustyvalentino on August 09, 2011, 01:04:23 PM
If you just want to dip a toe in the water, this is great:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan%27s_Greatest_Hits_Vol._II
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: superval99 on August 11, 2011, 02:52:39 PM
A recent "Blind Willie"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09-ERbCBw8o&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: jbaent on August 11, 2011, 03:03:00 PM
A recent "Blind Willie"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09-ERbCBw8o&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Really? I mean, is that song?

Can
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: tunnel85 on August 11, 2011, 05:07:42 PM
Terrible version !  :disbelief
Obviously there's something -someone !- missing.
Where's the guitar part ?
Hope they have an idea how to fix it  ;)
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: superval99 on August 11, 2011, 05:17:49 PM
Where's the guitar part ?
Hope they have an idea how to fix it  ;)


 :lol   Not only that - where's the piano part?   :disbelief
 

I quite liked the tinkling mandolin/uke? in the background, though.  
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: tunnel85 on August 11, 2011, 06:06:32 PM
Where's the guitar part ?
Hope they have an idea how to fix it  ;)


 :lol   Not only that - where's the piano part?   :disbelief
 

I quite liked the tinkling mandolin/uke? in the background, though.  
Let's do it simple and have  BD focus on the guitar part issue ;-)
More important but so easy to fix !
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: jbaent on August 13, 2011, 06:17:42 PM
The problem is... Dylan changes his songs so much that MK won
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Fletch on August 14, 2011, 09:06:24 AM
Geez you folks are harsh! That version would fit straight onto his Together Through Life album with that old world vaudeville charm. Btw that's Bobs voice these days, so get used to it! ::)
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: superval99 on August 14, 2011, 09:28:29 AM
Geez you folks are harsh! That version would fit straight onto his Together Through Life album with that old world vaudeville charm. Btw that's Bobs voice these days, so get used to it! ::)

I've listened to this a few times now and I must admit that it's growing on me!   I do like the arrangement and I love that banjo/uke sound, but as you say, we have to accept that Bob's voice is like that these days!  I'd still love to hear MK and Bob play it together, as on the recording, but I am beginning to doubt it very much! 
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Fletch on August 14, 2011, 10:53:35 AM
Cool Val, I like it too, apart from the crappy "live" sound quality, I reckon it has the vibe! The thing with Bob is he constantly reinvents his songs live, even when he's recording an album it's said that he rarely does a song the same way twice. The bootlegs show this to be true, waltz versions of Rolling Stone etc.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: superval99 on August 14, 2011, 11:05:53 AM
...he rarely does a song the same way twice. The bootlegs show this to be true, waltz versions of Rolling Stone etc.


That must sound very interesting!  However I'm not entirely in favour of change, just for the sake of it - there has to be some real reason, not just to show that he can! ;)    It would be interesting to see how some of MK's songs might sound in a different style  as he did with "Secondary Waltz"for example.   :)
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: jbaent on August 16, 2011, 05:02:16 PM
I was thinking about compile in a mp3 cd for my car with all the songs that Dylan has been playing during this last tour, but later I realised that there is no point, as what he will play will have nothing to do with what's in the records versions...
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Fletch on August 17, 2011, 02:18:58 PM
I think the Together Through Life album (which is very cool) is a good idea of the vibe BD presents these days... Old worlde blues.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Tally on August 17, 2011, 02:24:38 PM
For some of Dylan's best work ever, check out Time Out of Mind and Love & Theft. Two superb albums, filled with blues, great lyrics, and energy.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: jbaent on August 22, 2011, 09:05:32 AM
This is a compilation of every song perfomed during his summer tour:

http://www.examiner.com/bob-dylan-in-national/bob-dylan-s-boston-house-of-blues-set-list-plus-summer-tour-summary?CID=examiner_alerts_article (http://www.examiner.com/bob-dylan-in-national/bob-dylan-s-boston-house-of-blues-set-list-plus-summer-tour-summary?CID=examiner_alerts_article)

Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Rollergirl on October 08, 2011, 04:25:31 PM
So I am doing a Goldenheart and am trying to get acquainted with the work of His Bobness before I see him in Malm
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Pottel on October 08, 2011, 05:50:24 PM
then go all the way back and look for "i want you"
often overlooked little gem.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: arabia on October 08, 2011, 07:45:20 PM
Here is the best recording from Dylan's 2011 European tour:

http://www.mediafire.com/?1ft1zw4ve1d0bg8
http://www.mediafire.com/?ao6z2c2wc7c2rsl

If you can't appreciate it please leave the venue after Mark finishes, go have a pint and allow the rest of us to get a better spot in the hall, thanks. ;)
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: vgonis on October 08, 2011, 08:29:08 PM
Arabia, such a shame that you gave away his best recordings. Now MK fans have even less to look forward from Bob.  :lol
But since kindness should be rewarded with equal kind spirits, in case you only attend the tour for his Bobness, do come after MK's part so that everybody else can have a better view. ;) After all it is only 70 and a half minutes ;D

Now for Bob recommendations, I should say that one of my favourite albums not already mentioned before, is John Wesley Harding. Also Desire, and for more aquired tastes Street Legal.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Pottel on October 08, 2011, 08:45:56 PM
is that your personal preference, hamburg?
i kinda liked the swiss and London shows.
and i like Things have changed in every single show this year...
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: arabia on October 08, 2011, 09:45:39 PM
is that your personal preference, hamburg?
i kinda liked the swiss and London shows.
and i like Things have changed in every single show this year...

Hamburg along with Tel Aviv were the best recordings.I only attended the Finnsbury Park gig here in London and considered it grand.I thought his 2011 gigs were much better than 2010. I had given up hope and stopped collecting every recording last year. I hope this tour is as good as the summer was.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Pottel on October 08, 2011, 09:58:48 PM
tel aviv? that was the one where all the israeli's were so dissapointed coz they had expected him to talk...
lol, but i heard it was a good show indeed, got it somewhere, but got so much, dunno where to start.
if anyone would make a collection of all Things have changed played this tour, i would listen to it non stop, i actually put that one song on replay on my ipod for a whole day...brilliant...
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Rollergirl on October 09, 2011, 03:19:19 PM
found a couple of CDs in hubby's collection Love and Theft and the recent (latest?) Together through life. I like what I hear.

However, I have been listening to some songs on that Hamburg recording (thanks Arabia) and I must say I have difficulties with his singing. Not with the rusty voice, I can see myself getting used to that, but the way he ends every line. Hard to describe but you know what I mean hopefully, like he's asking a question or trying to speak Norwegian  ;D

Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: vgonis on October 09, 2011, 03:52:07 PM
Rollergirl, I understand exactly what you mean. My reaction, is somehow different. I often find myself in the position of thinking that dear Bob is toying with us, giving us this (do not dare name it, just in case I offend someone), to see how clever we are and when we are going to stop accepting this kind of performance. It is a surreal feeling, since I can't understand why I can only hear praise for his later work that I sometimes find unbearable. (Even the most hard core fans have to search for good songs in his 80ies and 90ies albums, up to "Time out...", with the exception of Oh, mercy.) His live performances are a totally different thing, but it is strange when it is not  a unique experience but a repeated, night after night show for many people. (OK, if I can find logic with the ones following MK, I guess there is logic for BD as well) 
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Rollergirl on October 09, 2011, 08:56:34 PM
found a couple of CDs in hubby's collection Love and Theft and the recent (latest?) Together through life. I like what I hear.

However, I have been listening to some songs on that Hamburg recording (thanks Arabia) and I must say I have difficulties with his singing. Not with the rusty voice, I can see myself getting used to that, but the way he ends every line. Hard to describe but you know what I mean hopefully, like he's asking a question or trying to speak Norwegian  ;D



well, after listening to the whole of CD 1 of that Hamburg recording, I am happy to say that the singing is growing on me, or at least doesn't bother me so much!
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: MarkB on October 09, 2011, 08:57:35 PM
For me  most of Dylan's 80's records are under-rated. Down In The Groove is awful and Knocked Out Loaded very poor but KOL has Brownsville Girl, one of (imo) Bob's greatest songs.

His other 80's albums are full of good songs, Saved is a collection of excellent songs with a lacklustre production, Infidels is very good but most fans would agree that he left some of the best songs off the record(how could he not put Blind Willie McTell on the album?!), Empire Burlesque is an interesting failure at making a contemporary 80's sounding record.

I'm a big fan of Shot Of Love, again he made some surprising choices of what to put on and leave off the record but that album has a great sound and at least 2 all-time classics in Every Grain Of Sand & In The Summertime.

Apart from TOOM, the only 90's album or original songs was Under The Red Sky, an album that was heavily criticised when it came out so soon after Oh Mercy but I like it.

I'd never criticise anyone for not liking those songs/records or for not liking the way his voice sounds these days. Music would be very boring if everyone liked the same things!
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Pottel on October 09, 2011, 08:58:58 PM
i always loved Under the red sky. never understood the criticism
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Rollergirl on October 09, 2011, 09:00:15 PM
. Music would be very boring if everyone liked the same things!

indeed!
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: GennT on October 09, 2011, 09:45:48 PM
Well besides "Infidels" and "Slow Train Coming" albums which we MK fans are quite familiar with,I  would recommend the "Desire" album, it is worth mentioning that Emmylou Harris is on the backing vocals and also the songs are really great! "One More Cup Of Coffee" and " Sara" have been playing all day in a loop!
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: vgonis on October 09, 2011, 10:22:17 PM
. Music would be very boring if everyone liked the same things!

indeed!

By all means I agree. But putting a little pressure to the released material, from articles in the newspapers to NOT buying the product,  sometimes is the catalyst, the missing element to create better music. It is a huge conversation, but since music has also a deeper yet clear to most of us, financial motivation, which in many ways influences the artist and the final offering-product-record, we can not just close our eyes and judge the final outcome in reference only to the artist. Sometimes this outcome has very little to do with the artist. From releasing an album of material without the artist's approval (see Dylan LP), or pressing for new material to follow a successful album,  imposing producers, musicians or directors, not respecting the will and aesthetics of the artist about the track listing and order or even the cover work or kind of promotion.   Eric Clapton, from all people,  had at least an album turned down in the 80ies by the record company that considered the material not commercial, and I guess Bob Dylan and many other artists had a similar experience even if it was in the form of kind suggestion. I hear that Dylan was capable of making most of  the mistakes by himself. The wrong choices of material to include, the muddier production he preferred even the musicians he chose over others. And during his interviews he is cryptic, so that you get out more confused, I can only guess that he is so wise as to build a myth around him, rather than explain his work. And I admire him for that, since it is my firm belief that art needs no explaining . But some of his works simply do not have the qualities we are used from him, and as a fan, buying his new record before I even listen to it, I am disappointed, because I feel cheated from my money and more importantly from my time. Time and money I could invest on someone else. I guess, after all, that  a few revealing words wouldn't do the trick either. If something is average or below average, can't be lifted with words of explanation. I know he is an artist, and at the same time a human being, so he have to experiment and eventually fail sometimes. But here is the problem: as a musician with a broad fan base and  potential for the great audience of a hit record, the company has ways of both taking the money of the fans and at the same time boosting the same artist with the well operating promotion system it has. So it is a double trap for fans, even if the usual moto used by companies is : "Don't like, don't buy".  I guess after all I am not such a big Dylan fan, since I have reservations. But this is a bit off the above conversation, a big topic that I prefer to discuss rather than write,  so I will leave it just here.            
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Mr Young at Heart on October 11, 2011, 03:05:27 PM
Best Dylan albums (top 5, chronological order):

Bringing It All Back Home
Highway 61 Revisited
Blonde On Blonde
Time Out Of Mind
"Love And Theft"

Best Dylan song:

All Along The Watchtower


My wife's fave album:

Self Portrait


My son's fave live album:

Before The Flood



Best bootleg:

The Genuine Basement Tapes.




Yeah, listen to it all...
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: ds1984 on October 11, 2011, 04:58:27 PM
If I should sum up : the huge gap between the album version and the actual live performance is way too big for a lot of newcomers.

Mark has his way on it : he doesn't play the old tunes anymore but when he does it most of time they are basically on the same pattern than on the album.

Being a MK is quite easy.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Love Expresso on October 11, 2011, 05:00:52 PM
Being a Dylan is also very easy - when you're a masochist...



 ;D

Just a Joke!

LE
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: vgonis on October 11, 2011, 05:11:55 PM
It seems that only Lou Reed has a problem of being himself.  ;)Especially with all these imitators...  :lolBut I still find him unique.  8)
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Mr Young at Heart on October 11, 2011, 05:24:27 PM
Foot of Pride!
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Tally on October 11, 2011, 06:05:43 PM
The following performance of The Times They Are A-Changin' is excellent. Tender but delicate. From the White House!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2sYIIjS-cQ
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Love Expresso on October 11, 2011, 06:10:26 PM
I agree wholeheartedly! I he would still be able to sing this way, I would probably feel on my knees and thanking the great scott that I could hear this live.
It is just sad.

LE
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Tally on October 11, 2011, 06:16:01 PM
Funny thing is, this is not long ago at all. I guess it's rough to be on the road, plus he also sings rock and blues each night to quite the high-volume band. But it's a shame that he doesn't perform ballads like this during his tours.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Mr Young at Heart on October 11, 2011, 06:18:20 PM
He's the best, still.
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Silvertown on October 11, 2011, 06:19:15 PM
Funny thing is, this is not long ago at all. I guess it's rough to be on the road, plus he also sings rock and blues each night to quite the high-volume band. But it's a shame that he doesn't perform ballads like this during his tours.

I guess that Bob has chronic laryngitis and kind of wrong singing style so his voice is very vulnerable and especially on tour when you have to perform a lot. Of course smoking is also a reason. How great it is that Mark quit smoking!
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Silvertown on October 11, 2011, 06:21:37 PM
He's the best, still.

Best singer?
Best performer?
Best songwriter?

Simply the best?

But however, I understand you. But honestly I think that with these kind of performances he won
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Mr Young at Heart on October 11, 2011, 06:32:44 PM
All of that, yeah.


Although I am even more into Neil Young...




Nonetheless. Bob's on top....
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: Rollergirl on October 11, 2011, 06:33:12 PM
He's the best, still.

Best singer?
Best performer?
Best songwriter?

Simply the best?

Better than all the rest?
better than anyone?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra12L1Bl0Z4
Title: Re: Bob Dylan recommendations
Post by: ds1984 on October 11, 2011, 08:24:24 PM
Bien vu President!

Don't care who is the best.
Just try to avoid the worst.