Bob Dylan & The Band
The 1974 Live Recordings
★★★★
COLUMBIA LEGACY/THIRD MAN
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.
Pick a track at random and you’ll find yourself stunned by how hard these six were pushing.
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.
The 1974 Live Recordings are out now on Columbia Legacy/Third Man.
BUY: Amazon | Rough Trade | HMV
Tracklisting
Disc 1
January 3, 1974 – Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL
Hero Blues
Lay, Lady, Lay
Tough Mama
It Ain't Me, Babe
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
All Along the Watchtower
Song to Woody
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
Nobody 'Cept You
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go You Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 2
January 4, 1974 – Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL
Hero Blues
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Tough Mama
Ballad of a Thin Man
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Love Minus Zero/No Limit
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
Nobody 'Cept You
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
Maggie's Farm
Disc 3
January 6, 1974 (Afternoon) – The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Tough Mama
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
To Ramona
Mama, You Been on My Mind
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
Nobody 'Cept You
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Disc 4
January 6, 1974 (Evening) – The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
It Ain’t Me, Babe
I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin'
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
Song to Woody
Mr. Tambourine Man
Nobody 'Cept You
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 5
January 7, 1974 – The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
It Ain’t Me, Babe
I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Just Like a Woman
Girl from the North Country
Wedding Song
Nobody 'Cept You
It's Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 6
January 9, 1974 – Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
It Ain’t Me, Babe
It Take a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Just Like a Woman
Girl from the North Country
Wedding Song
Nobody 'Cept You
It's Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You’ll Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 7
January 11, 1974 – Montreal Forum, Montreal, Canada
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are a-Changin'
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Gates of Eden
Nobody 'Cept You
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 8
January 14, 1974 (Afternoon) – Boston Gardens, Boston, MA
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
It Ain’t Me, Babe
I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 9
January 15, 1974 – Capital Centre, Largo, MD
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Wedding Song
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 10
January 16, 1974 – Capital Centre, Largo, MD
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
One Too Many Mornings
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden
Nobody ‘Cept You
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 11
January 17, 1974 – Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 12
January 19, 1974 (Afternoon) – Hollywood Sportatorium, Hollywood, FL
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 13
January 21, 1974 – The Omni, Atlanta, GA
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 14
January 22, 1974 – The Omni, Atlanta, GA
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 15
January 26, 1974 (Afternoon) – Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, TX
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Gates of Eden
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 16
January 26, 1974 (Evening) – Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, TX
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Gates of Eden
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Disc 17
January 30, 1974 – Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door – released on Before the Flood
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – Incomplete
Forever Young
Something There Is About You
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Blowin’ in the Wind
Disc 18
January 31, 1974 (Afternoon) – Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden – Incomplete
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited – released on A Musical History (The Band)
Like a Rolling Stone – Incomplete
Disc 19
January 31, 1974 (Evening) – Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower – Incomplete
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Gates of Eden
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Blowin’ in the Wind
Disc 20
February 9, 1974 (Afternoon) – Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
She Belongs to Me
The Times They Are A-Changin’
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Wedding Song
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited
Disc 21
February 9, 1974 (Evening) – Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Just Like a Woman
Wedding Song
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
It's All Right, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited
Like a Rolling Stone
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Blowin’ in the Wind
Disc 22
February 11, 1974 (Afternoon) – Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
She Belongs to Me
The Times They Are A-Changin’
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Wedding Song
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited
Like a Rolling Stone – Incomplete
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Blowin’ in the Wind
Disc 23
February 11, 1974 (Evening) – Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Just Like a Woman
Gates of Eden
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – Incomplete
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited – Incomplete
Like a Rolling Stone
Maggie’s Farm
Blowin’ in the Wind
Disc 24
February 13, 1974 – The Forum, Inglewood, CA
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay – released on Before the Flood
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 – released on Before the Flood
It Ain't Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
She Belongs to Me
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Love Minus Zero/No Limit
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Just Like a Woman
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited
Like a Rolling Stone – released on Before the Flood
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Blowin’ in the Wind – released on Before the Flood (first two verses only)
Disc 25
February 14, 1974 (Afternoon) – The Forum, Inglewood, CA
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
It Ain't Me, Babe
Ballad of a Thin Man – released on Before the Flood
All Along the Watchtower – released on Before the Flood
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
She Belongs to Me
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Just Like a Woman
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited
Like a Rolling Stone
Blowin’ in the Wind – released on Before the Flood (guitar break and last verse only)
Disc 26
February 14, 1974 (Evening) – The Forum, Inglewood, CA (Pt. 1)
Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine) – released on Before the Flood
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
It Ain’t Me, Babe – released on Before the Flood
Ballad of a Thin Man
All Along the Watchtower
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Mr. Tambourine Man
Knockin’ on Heaven's Door
Disc 27
February 14, 1974 (Evening) – The Forum, Inglewood, CA (Pt. 2)
She Belongs to Me
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Just Like a Woman – released on Before the Flood
Gates of Eden
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right – released on Before the Flood
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – released on Before the Flood
Forever Young
Highway 61 Revisited – released on Before the Flood
Like a Rolling Stone
Maggie’s Farm
Blowin’ in the Wind
All tracks previously unreleased unless otherwise noted
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Photo: Barry Feinstein