12/01/75 Toronto, Ontario ("Flaggin' Down The Double E's") : A- (B+/A-)
The re-written Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You is very well done as is Isis, which Bob tackles well. The set with Joan Baez and his solo sets are wonderful as always. There is a high-pitched sound constant throughout the bootleg, but it's not that bad once you get into the music. Now, on to the filler: WOW! The filler is awesome. If you haven't heard songs from the earlier shows in the Rolling Thunder Revue, as I hadn't, you'll be stunned: near the end of the Revue, Bob's voice was becoming harsh and rough (which I love!), however, at the beginning of the Revue, Bob's voice was very smooth and had some of the Nashville Skyline voice hidden in it (which I also love!). With God On Our Side makes this whole bootleg worth owning by itself! Sure, the sound quality is lower on some of the filler songs (especially the last three) but it really doesn't matter too much. The lyric changes in With God On Our Side are so awesome. Bob only performed With God On Our Side and It's Alright, Ma once each in '75 (and both are great).
Disc 1:
1. When I Paint My Masterpiece (sung with Bobby Neuwirth)
2. It Ain't Me, Babe (Bob on harp)
3. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
4. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
5. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
6. Romance In Durango
7. Isis (Bob on harp)
8. The Times They Are A-Changin' (acoustic) (sung with Joan Baez)
9. Dark As A Dungeon (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Merle Travis
10. Never Let Me Go (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Johnny Ace
11. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine (sung with Joan Baez) - sound is sort of muffled on this track
12. I Shall Be Released (sung with Joan Baez)
13. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
14. Love Minus Zero/No Limit (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
15. Simple Twist Of Fate (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
16. Oh, Sister (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
Disc 2:
1. Hurricane (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
2. One More Cup Of Coffee (acoustic with band)
3. Sara (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
4. Just Like A Woman (sung with Ronee Blakely)
5. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (sung with Roger McGuinn)
6. This Land Is Your Land (sung with Rolling Thunder Review) - written by Woody Guthrie
filler:
7. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
8. Blowin' In The Wind (acoustic) (sung with Joan Baez) - first line clipped
9. Wild Mountain Thyme (sung with Joan Baez) - written by unknown (traditional)
10. Mama, You Been On My Mind (sung with Joan Baez)
11. Mr. Tambourine Man (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
12. Tangled Up In Blue (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
13. I Don't Believe You (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
14. With God On Our Side (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
15. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleedin') (solo acoustic)
- Tracks 7-12 are from 12/02/75 Toronto, Onntario
- Track 13 is from 11/27/75 Bangor, Maine
- Track 15 is from 11/04/75 (evening) Proviidence, Rhode Island
12/01/75 Toronto, Ontario : A- (B/A-)
The re-written Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You is very well done as is Isis, which Bob tackles well. The set with Joan Baez and his solo sets are wonderful as always. I also have this show with just Bob's sets, and I prefer the sound of the other bootleg ("Flaggin' Down The Double E's") to this one. This one is interesting historically, or if you like some of the other musicians in the Rolling Thunder Revue (after all, this is the complete show - including Joni Mitchell, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, and Gordon Lightfoot). A plus to this bootleg over the other is that this one doesn't have a high-pitched noise throughout. A minus, of course, is that it's 4 CD's instead of just 2.
Disc 1:
1. Good Love Is Hard To Find (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
2. Sleazy (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
3. Hulahoop (sung by T-Bone Burnett with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
4. Laissez Faire (sung by Stephen Soles with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
5. Catfish (sung by Rob Stoner with Guam)
6. Is There Life On Mars? (sung by Mick Ronson with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
7. Alabama Dark (Hank Williams Is Dead) (sung by Bobby Neuwirth and Ronee Blakely with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
8. New Sun Rising (sung by Ronee Blakely with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
9. Cindy (When I Get Home) (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
10. Nowhere To Go (sung by Cindy Bullens) - written by unknown (?)
11. Mercedes Benz (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
12. Woman Of Heart And Mind (sung by Joni Mitchell) - written by Joni Mitchell
13. Coyote (sung by Joni Mitchell) - written by Joni Mitchell - start is clipped
14. Edith And The Kingpin (sung by Joni Mitchell) - written by Joni Mitchell
15. Don't Interrupt The Sorrow (sung by Joni Mitchell) - written by Joni Mitchell
Disc 2:
1. Ramblin' Jack (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
2. Muleskinner Blues (sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliot) - written by Jimmie Rodgers
3. Pretty Boy Floyd (sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliot) - written by Woody Guthrie
4. Salt Pork, West Virginia (sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliot) - written by unknown
5. I'm A Rich And Rambling Boy (sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliot) - written by unknown
6. When I Paint My Masterpiece (sung with Bobby Neuwirth)
7. It Ain't Me, Babe (Bob on harp)
8. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
9. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
10. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
11. Romance In Durango
12. Isis (Bob on harp)
13. The Times They Are A-Changin' (acoustic) (sung with Joan Baez)
14. Dark As A Dungeon (acoustic) (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Merle Travis
15. Never Let Me Go (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Johnny Ace
Disc 3:
1. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine (sung with Joan Baez)
2. I Shall Be Released (sung with Joan Baez)
3. Diamonds And Rust (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Joan Baez - gap at 1:30 into the track (it cuts out part of the song)
4. Swing Low Sweet Chariot (sung by Joan Baez) - written by unknown (traditional)
5. Joe Hill (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Alfred Hayes and Earl Robinson
6. Love Song To A Stranger Part 2 (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Joan Baez
7. Long Black Veil (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Danny Dill and Marijohn Wilkin
8. Please Come To Boston (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Dave Loggins
9. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (sung by Joan Baez with Guam) - written by J.R. Robertson
10. Eight Miles High (sung by Roger McGuinn) - written by Roger McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby
11. Chestnut Mare (sung by Roger McGuinn) - written by Roger McGuinn and Jacques Levy
12. Race Among The Ruins (sung by Gordon Lightfoot) - written by Gordon Lightfoot
13. The Watchman's Gone (sung by Gordon Lightfoot) - written by Gordon Lightfoot
14. Sundown (sung by Gordon Lightfoot) - written by Gordon Lightfoot
Disc 4:
1. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
2. Love Minus Zero/No Limit (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
3. Simple Twist Of Fate (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
4. Oh, Sister (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
5. Hurricane (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
6. One More Cup Of Coffee (acoustic with band)
7. Sara (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
8. Just Like A Woman (sung with Ronee Blakely)
9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (sung with Roger McGuinn)
10. This Land Is Your Land (sung with Rolling Thunder Revue) - written by Woody Guthrie
12/02/75 Toronto, Ontario : B+ (B-/B+)
This is another great show from late '75. Isis, Wild Mountain Thyme, the solo acoustic set, and Oh Sister are the highlights. I also have this show with just Bob's sets, and I prefer the sound of the other version to this one. This one is interesting historically, or if you like some of the other musicians in the Rolling Thunder Revue (after all, this is the complete show - including Ronnie Hawkins, Joni Mitchell, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, and Gordon Lightfoot). A plus is that there are less gaps of silence in the Dylan sets on this version compared to the other version. Unfortunately, the beginning of Blowin' In The Wind is clipped as described below (it's like this on both versions). A minus, of course, is that it's 4 CD's instead of just 2.
Disc 1:
1. Good Love Is Hard To Find (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
2. Sleazy (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
3. Werewolves Of London (sung by T-Bone Burnett with Guam) - written by Warren Zevon (?)
4. Laissez Faire (sung by Stephen Soles with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
5. Catfish (sung by Rob Stoner with Guam) - gap at end
6. Is There Life On Mars? (sung by Mick Ronson with Guam) - written by unknown (?) - gap at end
7. Alabama Dark (Hank Williams Is Dead) (sung by Bobby Neuwirth and Ronee Blakely with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
8. New Sun Rising (sung by Ronee Blakely with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
9. Cindy (When I Get Home) (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
10. Mercedes Benz (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
11. Forty Days (sung by Ronnie Hawkins) - written by Chuck Berry and Ronnie Hawkins
12. Bo Diddley/Who Do You Love (medley) (sung by Ronnie Hawkins) - both written by Bo Diddley
13. Woman Of Heart And Mind (sung by Joni Mitchell) - written by Joni Mitchell
14. Coyote (sung by Joni Mitchell) - written by Joni Mitchell
Disc 2:
1. Edith And The Kingpin (sung by Joni Mitchell) - written by Joni Mitchell
2. Don't Interrupt The Sorrow (sung by Joni Mitchell) - written by Joni Mitchell
3. Ramblin' Jack (sung by Bobby Neuwirth with Guam) - written by unknown (?)
4. San Francisco Bay Blues (sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliot) - written by Jesse Fuller
5. Talkin' Fisherman Blues (sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliot) - written by Woody Guthrie
6. Salt Pork, West Virginia (sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliot) - written by unknown (?)
7. I'm A Rich And Rambling Boy (sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliot) - written by unknown (?)
8. When I Paint My Masterpiece (sung with Bobby Neuwirth)
9. It Ain't Me, Babe (Bob on harp) - fades into this track - gap at end
10. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
11. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
13. Isis (Bob on harp)
Disc 3:
1. Blowin' In The Wind (acoustic) (sung with Joan Baez) - start is clipped ("How many roads must a man" is clipped)
2. Wild Mountain Thyme (sung with Joan Baez) - written by unknown (traditional)
3. Mama, You Been On My Mind (sung with Joan Baez)
4. Dark As A Dungeon (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Merle Travis
5. I Shall Be Released (sung with Joan Baez)
6. Diamonds And Rust (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Joan Baez - gap at 1:30 into the track (it cuts out part of the song)
7. Swing Low Sweet Chariot (sung by Joan Baez) - written by unknown (traditional)
8. Pastures Of Plenty (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Woody Guthrie
9. Suzanne (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Leonard Cohen
10. Help Me Make It Through The Night (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Kris Kristofferson
11. Please Come To Boston (sung by Joan Baez) - written by Dave Loggins
12. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (sung by Joan Baez with Guam) - written by J.R. Robertson
13. Eight Miles High (sung by Roger McGuinn) - written by Roger McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby
14. Chestnut Mare (sung by Roger McGuinn) - written by Roger McGuinn and Jacques Levy
Disc 4:
1. Race Among The Ruins (sung by Gordon Lightfoot) - written by Gordon Lightfoot - Gordon's intro by Joan Baez is clipped at the beginning
2. Cherokee Bend (sung by Gordon Lightfoot) - written by Gordon Lightfoot - some mic feedback at start
3. High And Dry (sung by Gordon Lightfoot) - written by Gordon Lightfoot
4. Sundown (sung by Gordon Lightfoot) - written by Gordon Lightfoot
5. Mr. Tambourine Man (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
6. Tangled Up In Blue (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
7. Oh, Sister (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
8. Hurricane (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
9. One More Cup Of Coffee (acoustic with band)
10. Sara (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
11. Just Like A Woman (sung with Ronee Blakely)
12. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (sung with Roger McGuinn)
13. This Land Is Your Land (sung with Rolling Thunder Revue) - written by Woody Guthrie
12/02/75 Toronto, Ontario : B+ (B/B+)
This is another great show from late '75. Isis, Wild Mountain Thyme, the solo acoustic set, and Oh Sister are the highlights. On disc 2, tracks 4 and 8 are both just some seconds before the next song starts (why they're there is unknown to me). Unfortunately, there are six times in which there is a gap of silence near the end of a track (see below for details). The beginning of Blowin' In The Wind is clipped as described below. These problems cause the sound quality to drop one letter grade.
Disc 1:
1. When I Paint My Masterpiece (sung with Bobby Newirth)
2. It Ain't Me, Babe (Bob on harp) - fades into this track - gap at end
3. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
4. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
5. Romance In Durango
6. Isis (Bob on harp)
7. Blowin' In The Wind (acoustic) (sung with Joan Baez) - start is clipped ("How many roads must a man" is clipped)
8. Wild Mountain Thyme (sung with Joan Baez) - written by unknown (traditional)
9. Mama, You Been On My Mind (sung with Joan Baez) - gap at end
10. Dark As A Dungeon (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Merle Travis
11. I Shall Be Released (sung with Joan Baez) - gap at end
Disc 2:
1. Mr. Tambourine Man (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp) - gap at end
2. Tangled Up In Blue (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp) - gap at end
3. Oh, Sister (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
4. some guitar notes before Hurricane starts
5. Hurricane (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp) - gap at end
6. One More Cup Of Coffee (acoustic with band)
7. Sara (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
8. some guitar notes before Just Like A Woman starts
9. Just Like A Woman (sung with Ronee Blakely)
10. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (sung with Roger McGuinn)
11. This Land Is Your Land (sung with Rolling Thunder Review) - written by Woody Guthrie
12/04/75 Montreal, Quebec : A (B/A)
As Olof says in his online Bob Dylan 1975 Chronicles, "Montreal, December 4 - probably one of Dylan's best shows ever!", and yes it is really good! This Isis is unbelievable!! WOW! And I mean, WOW!! (It's the same Isis that's on Renaldo And Clara. It has also been officially released on Biograph, but it sounds better here - the sound quality's worse, but the actual sound of the song is better). The chorus in Blowin' In The Wind is sung in French by Bob and Joan Baez. It's amazing the way Bob can go from growling out so many of these songs to a very smooth and delicate voice for the solo acoustic set. Anyway, this whole show is awesome! It's HIGHLY recommended by me to anyone who likes the Rolling Thunder Revue.
Disc 1:
1. When I Paint My Masterpiece (acoustic with band) (sung with Bobby Neuwirth)
2. It Ain't Me, Babe (Bob on harp)
3. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
4. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
5. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
6. Romance In Durango
7. Isis (Bob on harp)
8. Blowin' In The Wind (acoustic) (sung with Joan Baez) - chorus sung in French
9. Dark As A Dungeon (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Merle Travis
10. Mama, You Been On My Mind (sung with Joan Baez)
11. Never Let Me Go (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Johnny Ace
12. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine (sung with Joan Baez)
13. I Shall Be Released (sung with Joan Baez)
Disc 2:
1. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
2. Love Minus Zero/No Limit (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
3. Tangled Up In Blue (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
4. Oh, Sister (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
5. Hurricane (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
6. One More Cup Of Coffee (acoustic with band)
7. Sara (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
8. Just Like A Woman (sung with Ronee Blakely)
9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (sung with Roger McGuinn)
10. This Land Is Your Land (sung with Rolling Thunder Review) - written by Woody Guthrie
12/08/75 New York City, New York ("Knight Of The Hurricane") : A (A-/A)
I don't know as much as I should about this show, but I think it was tagged as a Hurricane Carter benefit concert because before Bob plays Hurricane he says "this is what this show's all about." What I do know is that this was the last show from '75. His voice really sounds like it's been through a lot; in a way, it sounds rough as he almost yells out some of the songs. He seems to be in good spirits too, as he gives some interesting comments. Robbie Robertson is a special guest for It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry. It Ain't Me, Babe is great. Man oh man, is his voice ever a growl on Isis! Oooyee! The rest of the show's great as well.
Disc 1:
1. When I Paint My Masterpiece (acoustic with band) (sung with Bobby Neuwirth)
2. It Ain't Me, Babe (Bob on harp)
3. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll - all of the second verse except for the second line is cut out (smooth edit) (this is on original)
4. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
5. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry (Robbie Robertson on electric guitar)
6. Romance In Durango
7. Isis (Bob on harp)
8. The Times They Are A-Changin' (acoustic) (sung with Joan Baez)
9. Dark As A Dungeon (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Merle Travis
10. Mama, You Been On My Mind (sung with Joan Baez)
11. Never Let Me Go (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Johnny Ace
12. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine (sung with Joan Baez)
Disc 2:
1. I Shall Be Released (sung with Joan Baez)
2. Love Minus Zero/No Limit (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
3. Simple Twist Of Fate (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp)
4. Oh, Sister (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
5. Hurricane (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp)
6. One More Cup Of Coffee (acoustic with band)
7. Sara (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp) - gap at end
8. Just Like A Woman (sung with Ronee Blakely)
9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (sung with Roger McGuinn) - little clicking noises throughout (badly flawed - gaps from 3:54-3:55) (this is on original)
10. This Land Is Your Land (sung with Rolling Thunder Revue) - written by Woody Guthrie - little clicking noises throughout (badly flawed) (this is on original)
"Renaldo And Clara" : B+ (B/B+)
These are the songs from Bob Dylan's movie Renaldo And Clara. Where it says "not a complete song", it's like this on the original recording (i.e. on the movie). So although it appears as though there are lots of problems with this disc, there aren't really. Sometimes there is some movie dialogue in the foreground (see below). The Water Is Wide and Patty's Gone To Laredo are both on track 15. It's nice to have these songs on CD as many are great performances.
1. When I Paint My Masterpiece (sung with Bob Neuwirth) - sound fades-in at start - dropouts in right speaker at 0:31 and 0:33 - small static glitch at 3:14 and at end - some sounds at end of track
2. Isis (Bob on harp) - sound quality changes at 0:43 - not a complete song
3. Ballad In Plain D (sung by Gordon Lightfoot?) - not a complete song
4. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
5. People Get Ready - written by Curtis Mayfield - not a complete song
6. It Ain't Me, Babe (Bob on harp)
7. She Belongs To Me - not a complete song
8. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry - last note cut out
9. If You See Her, Say Hello - not a complete song
10. Romance In Durango
11. One Too Many Mornings - dialogue from movie in foreground - not a complete song
12. House On The Rising Sun (sung with Rob Stoner) - written by unknown (traditional) - not a complete song
13. One More Cup Of Coffee (acoustic with band)
14. Sara (acoustic with band) (Bob on harp) - not a complete song
15. The Water Is Wide (sung with Joan Baez) - written by unknown (traditional) - dialogue from movie in foreground - not a complete song
Patty's Gone To Laredo - dialogue from movie in foreground - not a complete song
16. Never Let Me Go (sung with Joan Baez) - written by Johnny Ace
17. Sad-Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands - not a complete song - dialogue from movie in foreground
18. Tangled Up In Blue (solo acoustic) (Bob on harp) - gap from 1:19-1:20 and one line is skipped
19. Just Like A Woman - gap at end - not a complete song
20. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (sung with Roger McGuinn)
- Tracks 1-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13-16, 18-20 aree from Rolling Thunder Revue '75 live shows
- Tracks 3, 12 are from studio recordings