incredible interview; such an articulate, well-spoken, cool guy… among the best, most interesting interviews i’ve read here👍 really enjoy your work and passion for detail and the fascinating subject at hand.
Thank you for this. I don't read many Dylan articles which offer anything new and this was fresh. I saw him in Mobile, Alabama in the latter part of the tour and the show was phenomenal. When Budokan came out I was delighted, but then somewhat disappointed after I'd listened. The arrangements had shifted and evolved and were much better by the end of the tour. I still enjoy the album, but have always wished for a follow-up of a later show.
Agreed, this interview was amazing. Ray, you have a knack for asking precisely the questions a fan should like to ask. I learned so much, and Billy Cross paints an exceptionally warm picture of his time on tour with Bob. Never heard about the lad falling from the rigging. Terrific interview.
Great article ... So interesting how Slow Train originally had no religious lyrics. I think we hear the same thing on the first TNM s/check if I remember right?
I also remember they opened with an instrumental version of hard rains a gonna fall before they launched into love her with a feeling with Bob on keyboards at the back . So many highlights . But that 3hour soundcheck to an empty stadium was something else , they just kept playing heaps of different tunes . This was the first concert for Bob ever in new Zealand ,and his first time out of USA in the west. Since isle of wight in 1969 ,so I reckon he pulled out all stops !!
I found this fascinating . I was at western springs, auckland for that 1978 concert . It was astounding . Bob was indeed on the tour bus when they turned up at the gig . We arrived 8 hours before showtime ,and the band with Bob arrived not long after we got there . They did a 3 hour soundcheck jam which was amazing followed by a 2 and a half hour show that night . To this day my favorite concert ever . Bob was absolutely on fire ,and in great humour . The band was astounding ,I never understood the lame criticisms of it . It was unforgettable ..
This was such a great read. As much as I've read about Dylan for 35+ years, I'm amazed at how many new perspectives and angles there are. Billy Cross is a GREAT interviewee, and your interview style is a big part of what makes this a success. You have a way of following up on lots of stray thoughts that a subject says and following them where they lead. Which is often to little revelations. Bravo.
Thank you! I can't imagine any Dylan fan not enjoying this interview. If you were a fawning fanboy, Billy Cross wouldn't have said anything interesting. He respected your intelligence. His guitar solo on "New Pony" is one of my favorite things on "Street Legal." I've read that all the 1978 concerts were professionally recorded, but the tapes were destroyed -- except for Budokan, of course. I'll parrot what many have said: It'd be wonderful to hear a soundboard tape of one of the better shows that band members talk about. All those media cliches about Dylan going Vegas or trying to be Neil Diamond would be negated. When are you going to interview Sara Dylan?
incredible interview; such an articulate, well-spoken, cool guy… among the best, most interesting interviews i’ve read here👍 really enjoy your work and passion for detail and the fascinating subject at hand.
Thank you for this. I don't read many Dylan articles which offer anything new and this was fresh. I saw him in Mobile, Alabama in the latter part of the tour and the show was phenomenal. When Budokan came out I was delighted, but then somewhat disappointed after I'd listened. The arrangements had shifted and evolved and were much better by the end of the tour. I still enjoy the album, but have always wished for a follow-up of a later show.
Agreed, this interview was amazing. Ray, you have a knack for asking precisely the questions a fan should like to ask. I learned so much, and Billy Cross paints an exceptionally warm picture of his time on tour with Bob. Never heard about the lad falling from the rigging. Terrific interview.
A really interesting interview. Thanks!
Great article ... So interesting how Slow Train originally had no religious lyrics. I think we hear the same thing on the first TNM s/check if I remember right?
I also remember they opened with an instrumental version of hard rains a gonna fall before they launched into love her with a feeling with Bob on keyboards at the back . So many highlights . But that 3hour soundcheck to an empty stadium was something else , they just kept playing heaps of different tunes . This was the first concert for Bob ever in new Zealand ,and his first time out of USA in the west. Since isle of wight in 1969 ,so I reckon he pulled out all stops !!
I found this fascinating . I was at western springs, auckland for that 1978 concert . It was astounding . Bob was indeed on the tour bus when they turned up at the gig . We arrived 8 hours before showtime ,and the band with Bob arrived not long after we got there . They did a 3 hour soundcheck jam which was amazing followed by a 2 and a half hour show that night . To this day my favorite concert ever . Bob was absolutely on fire ,and in great humour . The band was astounding ,I never understood the lame criticisms of it . It was unforgettable ..
This was such a great read. As much as I've read about Dylan for 35+ years, I'm amazed at how many new perspectives and angles there are. Billy Cross is a GREAT interviewee, and your interview style is a big part of what makes this a success. You have a way of following up on lots of stray thoughts that a subject says and following them where they lead. Which is often to little revelations. Bravo.
hola , excelente articulo , pero justo se nombro a truman capote
odiaba a bob porque se lo c onsideraba un poeta . tienes algun articulo sobre eso
Thank you! I can't imagine any Dylan fan not enjoying this interview. If you were a fawning fanboy, Billy Cross wouldn't have said anything interesting. He respected your intelligence. His guitar solo on "New Pony" is one of my favorite things on "Street Legal." I've read that all the 1978 concerts were professionally recorded, but the tapes were destroyed -- except for Budokan, of course. I'll parrot what many have said: It'd be wonderful to hear a soundboard tape of one of the better shows that band members talk about. All those media cliches about Dylan going Vegas or trying to be Neil Diamond would be negated. When are you going to interview Sara Dylan?
Stellar work, once again. Fascinating. Thanks. I hope you’re going to put all these interviews together into a book.
Great, revealing interview thanks! Interesting tour, too. Underrated.