Really enjoyed this review - lots of great points and well-phrased observations.
I enjoyed the reference in there that we should all treasure something that someday (how far in the future can it be?) will not be available: the ability to just go to a venue and hear Bob Dylan sing, play harmonica, lead a band, pay piano, call the shots, sing his songs. How cool is it that we can still do that? That a denizen of Mansfield, MA (or nearby) gets to do that tomorrow?
Also, I am with you in musing on about how the NET might truly be curated into one or many box sets in the future by Sony. Why haven't they done it so far?
The only Dylan live album reflecting a NET show is MTV Unplugged 29 years ago, which doesn't really represent a Dylan NET show of course - not even a Dylan '94 show. Prior to that, we had 'Dylan And The Dead' which I bought the day it was released back in '89 - but doesn't count as a NET live LP of course because that tour was in '87.
Instead, we're left to assemble spicks and specks, as the Bee Gees would say, from those lovely live EPs released in the late 90s and early 00s, live cuts from box sets, bonus cuts on deluxe CDs, singles, the Bonnaroo '04 CD compilation, etc etc ... many random places.
There's no good reason not to release more of it. Springsteen has done a great job there, releasing all recent shows in great quality soon after they happen in recent years. The Allman Brothers Band took it one step further during their late reign, offering a soundboard CD of the show you were at - pay $25 when you walk in the show, walk out the door later that evening with the CD.
It's all doable. My guess is that Sony has stayed out of that in any formal way so far because they know the box set themes they've chosen have more appeal to many. Rolling Thunder beats NET, for most.
But to me, the NET is my favorite part of Dylan's whole oeuvre. Yeah, I said it! At least, in the sense that I listen to far more of his live music (via boots) from the NET than prior decades.
Anyway, there's more than a few over-baked thoughts on a topic I've pondered often! :)
Really enjoyed this review - lots of great points and well-phrased observations.
I enjoyed the reference in there that we should all treasure something that someday (how far in the future can it be?) will not be available: the ability to just go to a venue and hear Bob Dylan sing, play harmonica, lead a band, pay piano, call the shots, sing his songs. How cool is it that we can still do that? That a denizen of Mansfield, MA (or nearby) gets to do that tomorrow?
Also, I am with you in musing on about how the NET might truly be curated into one or many box sets in the future by Sony. Why haven't they done it so far?
The only Dylan live album reflecting a NET show is MTV Unplugged 29 years ago, which doesn't really represent a Dylan NET show of course - not even a Dylan '94 show. Prior to that, we had 'Dylan And The Dead' which I bought the day it was released back in '89 - but doesn't count as a NET live LP of course because that tour was in '87.
Instead, we're left to assemble spicks and specks, as the Bee Gees would say, from those lovely live EPs released in the late 90s and early 00s, live cuts from box sets, bonus cuts on deluxe CDs, singles, the Bonnaroo '04 CD compilation, etc etc ... many random places.
There's no good reason not to release more of it. Springsteen has done a great job there, releasing all recent shows in great quality soon after they happen in recent years. The Allman Brothers Band took it one step further during their late reign, offering a soundboard CD of the show you were at - pay $25 when you walk in the show, walk out the door later that evening with the CD.
It's all doable. My guess is that Sony has stayed out of that in any formal way so far because they know the box set themes they've chosen have more appeal to many. Rolling Thunder beats NET, for most.
But to me, the NET is my favorite part of Dylan's whole oeuvre. Yeah, I said it! At least, in the sense that I listen to far more of his live music (via boots) from the NET than prior decades.
Anyway, there's more than a few over-baked thoughts on a topic I've pondered often! :)
That was a great read!
It's pretty easy to learn these songs. I don't think they're fretting it.
Awesome show from beginning to end. A whopping good time.
Allison Krause and Robert Plant were exceptional. Dylan playing covers was unimpressive to me.
Add in the Willie Nelson bailout, and it was almost a waste of time and money.
Must give credit to arena redo with more bathrooms and concession stands, and working elevators for the nosebleed seats in the 300 sections.