Bob Dylan/CA,USA 10.14.2019

Not only has next year’s performance in Japan been announced, but Bob Dylan is finally getting excited with the official release of the maniacal 1969 Nashville session in the latest bootleg series. The highlight of the release was the Palo Alto performance on October 14th. In the first place, the American tour that started in October has been a hot topic among enthusiasts, and first of all, George Licelli, who had been in charge as the drummer of the Dylan band for more than 15 years, has left the band and was replaced by the early Pearl Jam. Matt Chamberlain, a session drummer with experience in the band, joins. In addition, a second member named Bob Britt joined the guitarist, who was Charlie Sexton alone for a year. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a new breath of fresh air in the band. Finally, Dylan himself plays the guitar at the opening of each night’s stage, and the sudden change in the live sound that has a stronger guitar color is also attracting a lot of attention. I may say this, but up until last summer, when Stu Kimball (second guitarist) was a member, I felt that the sound had become more mature, for better or for worse. After he left the group and we went into a transition period this summer, the addition of two new members has already had a tremendous effect. The performance was intense, with “Highway 61 Revisited” at the beginning of the live show, and “Thunder On The Mountain” and “Gotta Serve Somebody”, which were played in the second half, suddenly reborn as a rock sound. Especially for the latter, I think more people like this version than the blues arrangement introduced last summer. Besides, Dylan is in great shape. I still remember that they put on a wonderful stage at Fuji Rock last year, and it seems as if they are still thriving despite their age. I was surprised when he sang the two rock songs that were performed in the second half of the usual live performance in such a hyper tone. No matter how you look at it, you can’t believe it’s a stage performance by a 78-year-old. It is also indescribably attractive that the sound quality is also the best in addition to such the best performance content. It is already a perfect Odins recording. Not only is it a wonderfully on-sound image, but the closeness between Dylan’s voice and the band’s stalwart Tony Garnier’s bass is amazing. Because it is such a superb Odins, I want to hear it as soon as possible. And during the tour starting in October, the live performance of Dylan’s famous song “Lenny Bruce” from the 1980s surprised enthusiasts all over the world for the first time in 10 years. The arrangement and Dylan’s singing are also wonderful, and you won’t feel like there is any blank in your repertoire. The rock-like arrangement of the song mentioned earlier has a distinctly upper-cut feel, but the way he sings slowly and carefully is also impressive. It can be said that it was a day that condensed the essence unique to this current tour, and in addition, a special audience album with outstanding sound quality was released the fastest. Dylan’s strong performance is also outstanding throughout. Live at Frost Amphitheater, Palo Alto, CA, USA 14th October 2019 TRULY PERFECT/ULTIMATE SOUND Disc 1(51:46) 1. Intro 2. Beyond Here Lies Nothin’ 3. It Ain’t Me, Babe 4. Highway 61 Revisited 5. Simple Twist Of Fate 6. Can’t Wait 7. When I Paint My Masterpiece 8. Honest With Me 9. Tryin’ To Get To Heaven 10. Make You Feel My Love 11. Pay In Blood Disc 2(51:59 ) 1. Lenny Bruce 2. Early Roman Kings 3. Girl From The North Country 4. Not Dark Yet 5. Thunder On The Mountain 6. Soon After Midnight 7. Gotta Serve Somebody 8. Ballad Of A Thin Man 9. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar, piano, harp Charlie Sexton – guitar Donnie Herron – steel guitar, violin Matt Chamberlain – drums Bob Britt – guitar Tony Garnier – bass