BOB DYLAN AND THE BAND : THE 1974 LIVE RECORDINGS

 

Disc 1 : January 3, 1974 - Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, USA (57:51)

  1. Hero Blues
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Tough Mama
  4. It Ain't Me, Babe
  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
  6. All Along The Watchtower
  7. Song To Woody
  8. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
  9. Nobody 'Cept You
  10. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  11. Forever Young
  12. Something There Is About You
  13. Like A Rolling Stone
  14. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 2 : January 4, 1974 - Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, USA (53:51)

  1. Hero Blues
  2. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  3. It Ain't Me, Babe
  4. Tough Mama
  5. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  6. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
  7. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  8. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  9. Love Minus Zero/No Limit
  10. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
  11. Nobody 'Cept You
  12. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  13. Maggie's Farm

Disc 3 : January 6, 1974 (Afternoon) - The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (78:00)

  1. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. It Ain't Me, Babe
  5. Tough Mama
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. To Ramona
  11. Mama, You Been On My Mind
  12. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
  13. Nobody 'Cept You
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
  16. Forever Young
  17. Something There Is About You
  18. Like A Rolling Stone

Disc 4 : January 6, 1974 (Evening) - The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (78:28)

  1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. It Ain't Me, Babe
  5. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
  12. Song To Woody
  13. Mr. Tambourine Man
  14. Nobody 'Cept You
  15. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  16. Forever Young
  17. Something There Is About You
  18. Like A Rolling Stone
  19. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 5 : January 7, 1974 - The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (76:13)

  1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. It Ain't Me, Babe
  5. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. Just Like A Woman
  11. Girl From The North Country
  12. Wedding Song
  13. Nobody 'Cept You
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 6 : January 9, 1974 - Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada (72:40)

  1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. It Ain't Me, Babe
  5. It Take A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. Just Like A Woman
  11. Girl From The North Country
  12. Wedding Song
  13. Nobody 'Cept You
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 7 : January 11, 1974 - Montreal Forum, Montreal, Canada (76:09)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  12. Gates Of Eden
  13. Nobody 'Cept You
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 8 : January 14, 1974 (Afternoon) - Boston Gardens, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (74:41)

  1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. It Ain't Me, Babe 3:43
  5. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  12. Gates Of Eden
  13. Just Like A Woman
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 9 : January 15, 1974 - Capital Centre, Largo, Maryland, USA (75:14)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  12. Wedding Song
  13. Just Like A Woman
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 10 : January 16, 1974 - Capital Centre, Largo, Maryland, USA (72:16)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. One Too Many Mornings
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  12. Gates Of Eden
  13. Nobody 'Cept You
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 11 : January 17, 1974 - Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (72:45)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  12. Gates Of Eden
  13. Just Like A Woman
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 12 : January 19, 1974 (Afternoon) - Hollywood Sportatorium, Hollywood, Florida, USA (49:44)

  1. All Along The Watchtower
  2. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  3. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  4. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  5. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  6. Gates Of Eden
  7. Just Like A Woman
  8. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  9. Forever Young
  10. Something There Is About You
  11. Like A Rolling Stone
  12. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 13 : January 21, 1974 - The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (72:02)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  8. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  9. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  10. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  11. Gates Of Eden
  12. Just Like A Woman
  13. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  14. Forever Young
  15. Something There Is About You
  16. Like A Rolling Stone
  17. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 14 : January 22, 1974 - The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (70:20)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  8. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  9. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  10. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  11. Gates Of Eden
  12. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
  13. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  14. Forever Young
  15. Something There Is About You
  16. Like A Rolling Stone
  17. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 15 : January 26, 1974 (Afternoon) - Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, Texas, USA (71:10)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  12. Gates Of Eden
  13. Just Like A Woman
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 16 : January 26, 1974 (Evening) - Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, Texas, USA (68:34)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  12. Gates Of Eden
  13. Just Like A Woman
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Something There Is About You
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Disc 17 : January 30, 1974 - Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA (66:46)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. All Along The Watchtower
  5. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  6. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  7. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  8. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  9. Gates Of Eden
  10. Just Like A Woman
  11. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  12. Forever Young
  13. Something There Is About You
  14. Like A Rolling Stone
  15. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  16. Blowin' In The Wind

Disc 18 : January 31, 1974 (Afternoon) - Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA (33:46)

  1. All Along The Watchtower
  2. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  3. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  4. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  5. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  6. Gates Of Eden
  7. Forever Young
  8. Highway 61 Revisited
  9. Like A Rolling Stone

Disc 19 : January 31, 1974 (Evening) - Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA (74:57)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  12. Gates Of Eden
  13. Just Like A Woman
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Highway 61 Revisited
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  19. Blowin' In The Wind

Disc 20 : February 9, 1974 (Afternoon) - Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, USA (50:33)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. All Along The Watchtower
  5. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  6. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  7. She Belongs To Me
  8. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  9. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
  10. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  11. Wedding Song
  12. Forever Young
  13. Highway 61 Revisited

Disc 21 : February 9, 1974 (Evening) - Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, USA (44:33)

  1. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  2. Just Like A Woman
  3. Wedding Song
  4. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  5. It's All Right Ma, (I'm Only Bleeding)
  6. Forever Young
  7. Highway 61 Revisited
  8. Like A Rolling Stone
  9. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  10. Blowin' In The Wind

Disc 22 : February 11, 1974 (Afternoon) - Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California, USA (48:33)

  1. All Along The Watchtower
  2. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  3. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  4. She Belongs To Me
  5. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  6. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
  7. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  8. Wedding Song
  9. Forever Young
  10. Highway 61 Revisited
  11. Like A Rolling Stone
  12. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  13. Blowin' In The Wind

Disc 23 : February 11, 1974 (Evening) - Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California, USA (77:51)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  11. Just Like A Woman
  12. Gates Of Eden
  13. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Highway 61 Revisited
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Maggie's Farm
  19. Blowin' In The Wind

Disc 24 : February 13, 1974 - The Forum, Inglewood, California, USA (78:54)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. She Belongs To Me
  11. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  12. Love Minus Zero/No Limit
  13. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  14. Just Like A Woman
  15. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  16. Forever Young
  17. Highway 61 Revisited
  18. Like A Rolling Stone
  19. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  20. Blowin' In The Wind

Disc 25 : February 14, 1974 (Afternoon) - The Forum, Inglewood, California, USA (74:34)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  10. She Belongs To Me
  11. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
  12. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  13. Just Like A Woman
  14. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  15. Forever Young
  16. Highway 61 Revisited
  17. Like A Rolling Stone
  18. Blowin' In The Wind

Disc 26 : February 14, 1974 (Evening) - The Forum, Inglewood, California, USA (Pt. 1) (38:52)

  1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  2. Lay, Lady, Lay
  3. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
  4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
  5. It Ain't Me, Babe
  6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
  7. All Along The Watchtower
  8. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  9. Mr. Tambourine Man
  10. Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Disc 27 : February 14, 1974 (Evening) - The Forum, Inglewood, California, USA (Pt. 2) (48:13)

  1. She Belongs To Me
  2. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  3. Just Like A Woman
  4. Gates Of Eden
  5. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
  6. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
  7. Forever Young
  8. Highway 61 Revisited
  9. Like A Rolling Stone
  10. Maggie's Farm
  11. Blowin' In The Wind

Label : Columbia Records

Venues : Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL + The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA + Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada + Montreal Forum, Montreal, Canada + Boston Gardens, Boston, MA + Capital Centre, Largo, MD + Coliseum, Charlotte, NC + Hollywood Sportatorium, Hollywood, FL + The Omni, Atlanta, GA + Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, TX + Madison Square Garden, New York, NY + Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA + Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA + The Forum, Inglewood, CA

Recording Date : January 3, 1974 - February 14, 1974

Release Date : September 20, 1974

Review (AllMusic) : In 1974, Bob Dylan returned to the road after an eight-year absence. His partners, The Band, had backed him on the mostly hostile electric tour of 1966. The pairing had recently completed the not-yet-released (and criminally underrated) Planet Waves; it would be released during the tour. By this time, The Band had established themselves as a top-shelf roots rock act with the albums Music from Big Pink, The Band, and Stage Fright. Together they performed some 30 dates in 42 days - sometimes two sets per day - before an average audience of 18,500. Though they weren't aware of it at the time, this tour set new production and audio standards in the industry. The popular double live album from the tour, Before the Flood, showcased Dylan solo acoustic and fronting the Band, as well as selections they performed sans the frontman. The release - Dylan's first live album - was primarily recorded at the L.A. Forum at the end of the trip. It charted inside the Top Ten in the U.S. and U.K and was certified platinum. The 1974 Live Recordings is not part of the widely popular Bootleg series that contains some 17 volumes. Instead, it is an enormous 50th anniversary box set (and data dump), released in celebration of Before the Flood's 50th anniversary. This box contains 27 CDs (no vinyl) featuring 431 tracks, 417 of them unreleased - only the Before The Flood material that appears has seen the light officially. Also left out are the Band's solo performances at these shows. This monolith doesn't contain all the shows from that tour; these merely sounded best sonically. While the set lists vary a bit night to night, they are quite similar. Then-current Planet Waves material is represented by only three tracks throughout - "Tough Mama," "Wedding Song," and "Forever Young." The rest is an array of hits and Dylan evergreens played nightly. An exception is set opener "Hero Blues," recorded at Chicago Stadium; it was revived exclusively for the tour. The first five discs here are a bit loose and unruly. That's a good thing, as the hiccups provided the spontaneity and energy required for the rest of the run. The rest bears out the kinetic connection between the performers, though on disc seven (Montreal Forum), Dylan's singing is biting, sarcastic, and cynical. He alternately sounds like a carnival barker, a preacher, and a wild roots-rocker. The later discs reflect the relative comfort Dylan and the Band performed with, leading to a more polished joint effort. That said, there's plenty of rawness here, but the chaos on the early discs is missed. The 1974 Live Recordings will only appeal to Dylan completists and historians. The music is entirely (and wonderfully) remixed. The box is packed with rare photos by Barry Feinstein. Further, there is a truly magnificent liner essay from the Paranoid Style's vocalist, Elizabeth Nelson (it's the perfect intersection of music fan, musician, and critic). Sony also released a digital 20-track sampler. Further, Third Man Records simultaneously issued a three-LP set containing all the songs from the L.A. concerts left off Before the Flood.

Review (Mojo Magazine) : In the immediate wake of Bob Dylan’s 1974 return to stage 50 years ago, it seemed inevitable to label his wild romp through North America alongside The Band a cash-grab. He had not performed in a substantive way for the better part of a decade, and, at least until David Geffen and Bill Graham conspired together to create one of the biggest rock spectacles of all time, he had not recorded with The Band in nearly that long, too. The tickets produced mail-order pandemonium, and the album, Planet Waves, topped the charts – a rarity for Dylan, always – despite being almost no one’s idea of definitive Dylan. That summer’s subsequent release of Before The Flood, which collected 21 tracks from the Los Angeles and New York sets, suggested someone tickling the tip jar. Given that Blood On The Tracks and Desire soon followed sans Band, that financial rationale has remained the standard tale. Even if that is true, The 1974 Live Recordings – a soundboard dump of 431 tracks spread across 27 CDs, almost all of which have never been heard – repeatedly insists that this reunion was much more than some get-richer-quick scheme. On the precipice of reconsidering his marriage, his back catalogue, and his backing band, Dylan is a righteous bundle of nerves for many of these 29 hours, hurling these songs at full arenas and stadiums as if he wants to watch them explode in the aisles. Punk was properly a few years around the corner. But pairing his relentless sneer and high-volume angularity to The Band’s elemental force that strips so-called Americana down to its components, these shows often feel like a break in the firmament, a shift in the energy, a window into the future. How else can one explain the Chicago opener, a kicking-and-screaming, stumbling-and-howling rendition of Hero Blues, a tirade from Dylan’s acoustic salad days? Or the surreal gothic swagger of Ballad Of A Thin Man in Philadelphia, with carousel keyboards and sidewinding guitars pulling against Dylan’s voice like they’re waiting for The Fall to arrive? Or the fast, vindictive versions of Ballad Of Hollis Brown, where The Band pushed the pace and Robbie Robertson wrenched the riff until the whole affair rightly felt like a panic attack? Dylan was in a transitional point, sure, but so was rock’n’roll. These recordings verify Dylan and The Band were there. There are inevitable quibbles. The omission of The Band’s own songs here is a missed opportunity to tie together these two institutions, both then wrestling with unknown futures. In the sleevenote, critic Elizabeth Nelson forgoes research into a historical moment where the primary witnesses are rapidly disappearing for a spree of purple prose. Some tapes are, of course, better than others. But, by and large, pick a track at random and you’ll find yourself stunned by how hard these six were pushing. If they just wanted the cash, at least they were willing to play hard for it.