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Finally, the wait is over for Bob Dylan fans, yours truly included. Until 1998, many people thought the release of Bootleg Series, Vol. 4-Live 1966 was the "Royal Albert Hall Concert", but it was actually recorded at Free Trade Hall in Manchester during his U.K. visit on that world tour with the Hawks[Before becoming the Band two years hence]. Now we finally got the REAL deal here, which is part of a mammoth box set of all the live recordings of that tour in 1966. In case you don't feel like shelling out all that money for the 36 disc package, your best bet is this live concert at London's famed concert hall.
Like the previously released '66 live show at Free Trade Hall it contains the same set list[Seven solo acoustic and eight electric], although the version of "Visions Of Johanna" contained here was previously released on Dylan's Biograph set in 1985. All's well in the acoustic set except for minor tuning problems on one of which Dylan remarked, "My electric guitar always stays in tune". Nobody shouts "Judas" during the electric portion here although dispels any hecklers by reassuring them, "Come on now, these are ALL protest songs. They're not British music, they're American music". The sound is superb in both the acoustic and electric sets. During the former Dylan's harmonica playing doesn't disappoint the crowd nor his acoustic guitar playing whereas during the latter his harmonica is only heard on "I Don't Believe You" otherwise he anchors down the rhythm with his black Telecaster, which he would pass on to lead guitarist Robbie Robertson, who at this time was firing off blistering leads on a canary yellow Telecaster. The rhythm section comprises bassist Rick Danko playing some pulsating lines and offering brief backing vocals on "One Too Many Mornings" and drummer Mickey Jones[In place of Hawks' co-founder Levon Helm, who left in mid-tour due to unwillingness of Dylan fans' accepting of the transition to rock]offering some thunderous drumming to liven up the tempo and keep hecklers at bay. "Tell Me Momma" (The electric half's kick off); "I Don't Believe You", "Baby, Let Me Follow You Down"; "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues"; "Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat" and "Like A Rolling Stone" are prime examples of this[Jones had previously drummed for Trini Lopez, amongst other artists and later became an actor. He also had footage captured on home movie equipment of this world tour which is available on DVD]. Rounding out the lineup are keyboardists Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson. Manuel offers some barrelhouse licks on piano[He is absent on "Ballad Of A Thin Man" as Dylan takes over at the piano bench and sings lead regardless]while Hudson offers his merry-go-round playing on the organ. Each of them offer breaks on "Let Me Follow You Down" apart from Robertson's guitar breaks. Love Hudson's playing on "Don't Believe You"; "Tom Thumb's Blues"; "Ballad Of A Thin Man" and "Like A Rolling Stone", especially. Manuel's playing is most enjoyable on those same songs as well.
I must admit it felt a little different to hear this particular concert after nearly 20 years of hearing the Free Trade Hall concert. But it's definitely a treat to have this in my collection. As I said already, if you want to save money than obtaining the entire 36 disc set documenting all the live recordings of that '66 tour get this ONE, whether you have Bootleg Series, Vol. 4 or not. It's truly treasure. Don't delay!
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My opinion, Dylan's best, as Jimmy Page quoted "A genious"
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2021
Desolation Row, Just Like a Women, She Belongs to Me, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Me Tambourine Man and Fourth Time Around------AMAZING SUPERB RECORDING! The second Album IN BLUE, not a fan of.
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2021
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Top reviews from other countries
ThatNiceIan
Another Show From A Very Great Tour.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 9, 2016Harvey B
Review of the vinyl version.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 27, 2016Wood 1
Review of product not Bob's performance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 12, 2017Trev
Not on the same level as Manchester
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 26, 2016J. Walton
This for me is the best period in Dylan`s long career
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 10, 2017
