Bob Dylan/TX,USA 2018

Dylan’s 2018 tour, which surprised maniacs around the world with a major change in the setlist during his summer Asia/Australia tour, has resumed this month with a tour of the United States. However, once it started, there were enough changes to surprise enthusiasts once again. This time, Stu Kimball, who had been in the Dylan Band for nearly 15 years and supported the backbone of the performance with rhythm guitar, left the band. In other words, Fuji Rock was one of the last of Dylan’s bands, but since it is now a touring band with members who have been with the group for more than 10 years, Stu’s nearly 15 years of hard work has been greatly appreciated. It has been well received that the sound changes in a good way at the same time as the song is played. Looking back on Dylan’s history, there have been many cases where members of the backing band have changed, for example in early 1991, when the members were completely replaced and the live sound became confusing. , When only some members are involved, like this time, the sound often changes in an interesting way. The change is immediately apparent at the opening of the live show, and the guitar interlude that Stu was playing is gone, making the show a straight start. Moreover, since he was mostly an acoustic guitar player, he was left out and the guitar part was left to Charlie Sexton’s electric guitar, which inevitably resulted in a stronger rock tone. In fact, songs such as “Highway 61 Revisited” have a more solid performance. Perhaps because of this, Dylan sings so powerfully that he seems excited about the new sound. But that’s not all. During the summer tour, changes in arrangement and repertoire that had been revived for the first time in a while attracted attention, and this tour also featured some repertoire for the first time in a while. For example, at the start of this American tour, “Workingman’s Blues #2” and “High Water” appeared for the first time in a while, making the enthusiasts happy, but here in Irving, Texas, “Cry A While” appeared again for the first time in a while. The song was a regular part of the live repertoire until 2014, but with the start of the Sinatra cover period in 2015, it suddenly stopped being played. Moreover, this revived version has a wonderful slow rocker arrangement featuring Charlie’s guitar at the front. Here too, fresh changes due to Stu’s withdrawal were immediately apparent. Also, not only was it revived in Australia in the summer, but the arrangement of “Gotta Serve Somebody”, which had been changed during the tour, has changed once again. All of the performances at that time were performed in a blues style arrangement, but when the American tour started, the arrangement changed completely. This time, I was surprised to find that it was reborn as an up-tempo rock’n’roll arrangement reminiscent of Eddie Cochran, or even more like “C’mon Everybody.” It’s true that “Gotta Serve~” is a song with a simple chord progression that can be arranged in any way you like, but it’s sure to make you groan, “So that’s it!” Naturally, it is an arrangement in which Charlie’s guitar takes the lead, and it can be said that this is also a result of the change in sound after Stu left. These changes in sound and repertoire alone are enough to surprise enthusiasts, but what is even more noteworthy is the amazing sound quality of the audience recording released this time. This is the sound source that appeared on the internet, but it was recorded so quietly that you almost get the illusion that there is no one around. This is the ideal audience recording. In fact, it was so quiet that I started to worry that maybe the live performance wasn’t that exciting. But don’t worry, the new arrangement of “Like A Rolling” was performed in Christchurch on the last day of the summer tour and dominated the headlines around the world (thankfully, the performance became a huge bestseller even though it was released on CD-R). Stone”, the excitement rises all at once, making me realize that it is an audience recording. Of course, the sound image is very well balanced and the clearness is also wonderful. There is no reason not to release the best sound source so far on a press board. In addition, the quality is such that there is no need to add any equalization. There is no doubt that it will attract attention from enthusiasts all over the world just because it will finally be released from this year’s tour, but with the departure of Stu, we will be listening to the performance of the latest Dylan band, which is regaining a more rocky and edgy sound. I can enjoy it. It is also noteworthy that the stage performance of “Like A~”, which was revived at the end of summer, will be released. At this timing when the release of the “Blood Rut” session box is just around the corner, a piece that represents “this year’s Dylan” is born here. Live at Toyota Music Pavilion, Irving, Texas, USA 10th October 2018 ULTIMATE SOUND Disc 1 (55:45) 1. Intro 2. Things Have Changed 3. It Ain’t Me Babe 4. Highway 61 Revisited 5. Simple Twist Of Fate 6. Cry A While 7. When I Paint My Masterpiece 8. Honest With Me 9. Tryin’ To Get To Heaven 10. Scarlet Town 11. Make You Feel My Love 12. Pay In Blood Disc 2 (52:44) 1. Like A Rolling Stone 2. Early Roman Kings 3. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right 4. Love Sick 5. Thunder On The Mountain 6. Soon After Midnight 7. Gotta Serve Somebody 8. Blowin’ In The Wind 9. Ballad Of A Thin Man