Tag Archives: Charlie Sexton

June 22: Bob Dylan – Can’t Wait, Milan, Italy 2011 (video)

bob dylan milan june 2011

I can’t wait, wait for you to change your mind
It’s late, I’m trying to walk the line
Well, it’s way past midnight and there are people all around
Some on their way up, some on their way down
The air burns and I’m trying to think straight
And I don’t know how much longer I can wait

Absolutely stunning version!

….next he did an absolutely superb version of ‘Can’t Wait’. Lights were back on and Bob was  walking back and forth across the stage with only the mike and his voice; ‘ I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t wait’, sung with amazing passion. I hope all get to hear the brilliance of this moment.
~David Walker (boblinks.com)

Alcatraz
Milan, Italy
22 June 2011

  • Bob Dylan – center stage on harp
  • Tony Garnier – bass
  • George Recile – drums
  • Stu Kimball – rhythm guitar
  • Charlie Sexton – lead guitar
  • Donnie Herron – violin, viola, electric mandolin, pedal steel, lap steel

Continue reading June 22: Bob Dylan – Can’t Wait, Milan, Italy 2011 (video)

August 11: Happy 50th Birthday Charlie Sexton!

Charles Wayne Sexton (born August 11, 1968) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter best known for the 1985 hit “Beat’s So Lonely” and as the guitarist for Bob Dylan’s backing band from 1999 to 2002 and since 2009. His style of playing has varied and he has been associated with artists in the blues, folk, rock and punk genres.

I first saw Charlie Sexton in the 80s and I have his first two vinyls in the attic (I don’t play vinyls anymore). He was promoted as this wonder kid, a new guitar god and he sounded and looked great. He was good then and he has gotten better. His first records suffered by that “eighties sound” but there are some good songs on them, and the guitar playing is tremendous.

US legend Bob Dylan (R) performs on stag

Charlie Sexton Interview


Association with Bob Dylan

In 1999, Sexton was hired by Bob Dylan to replace Bucky Baxter. Sexton had previously played with Dylan during a pair of Austin, Texas, concerts in 1996, and on some demos recorded in the fall of 1983.

Sexton’s residency with Dylan from 1999–2002 brought him great exposure, with many critics singling out the interplay between him and Larry Campbell, who was also a guitarist in Dylan’s backing band. Hailed as one of Dylan’s best bands, the group recorded a number of studio recordings, including Things Have Changed (from the 2000 film Wonder Boys) and 2001’s critically acclaimed album, Love and Theft. He also performed and appeared with them in 2003’s Masked & Anonymous.

In October 2009, Sexton rejoined Dylan’s touring band, replacing Denny Freeman.

He is also an actor and did a very fine role in Richard Linklater’s masterpiece, Boyhood. He is also set to play Townes Van Zant in Ethan Hawke’s biopic about Blaze Foley, Blaze.

Continue reading August 11: Happy 50th Birthday Charlie Sexton!

Bob Dylan @ Sun Theater, Anaheim, CA – March 10, 2000

Redirecting to a newer version of this post….

..lots of surprising song selections, a tight band and Dylan in great and authoritative voice, willing to radically experiment (the re-worked Dignity, for example) and – once again – reinventing his back pages.
~Andrew Muir (Razor’s Edge)

Bob seems to be in a good mood, the band is tight, and the performance is incredible. We get to hear two songs performed live for the first time ever.
~bobsboots.com

Wonderful 2000 show.

Concert # 1166 of The Never-Ending Tour. First concert of the 2000 US Spring Tour. First 2000 concert.

Sun Theatre
Anaheim, California
10 March 2000
Early show

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Charlie Sexton (guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • David Kemper (drums & percussion)

Notes:

  • Live debuts of Tell Me That It Isn’t True and Things Have Changed
  • First Dignity since Manchester 4 April 1995.

Continue reading Bob Dylan @ Sun Theater, Anaheim, CA – March 10, 2000

Watch: Bob Dylan Performing Blind Willie McTell in Manchester 2002

bob dylan manchester 2002

I Seen the arrow on the doorpost
Saying, “This land is condemned
All the way from New Orleans
To New Jerusalem”
Well I traveled through East Texas
Where many martyrs fell
I can tell you one thing
nobody can sing
the-blues-like-Blind-Willie-McTell

Great version of this masterpiece from the 2002 Europe spring tour.


“Blind Willie McTell” was the most interesting performance of the night.
It used to be like that:

“No-one can sing the blues …
like Blind Willie McTell”

but tonight it went like this:

“I’ll tell you one thing …
nobody can sing …
the-blues-like-Blind-Willie-McTell”

The more astute amongst you will have noticed that the third line of this new version is quite long and doesn’t fit too well. Several times I thought the line wouldn’t fit but Bob managed to squeeze it in, just in time.
~Andy Jenkins (from the archives over @ boblinks.com)

Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester, England
9 May 2002

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Charlie Sexton (guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • Jim Keltner (drums & percussion)

Continue reading Watch: Bob Dylan Performing Blind Willie McTell in Manchester 2002

June 12: Bob Dylan – Masters Of War, Portland, Oregon 1999 (Video)

bob dylan 1999

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

Great sound & good video…  GREAT version.

Rose Garden Arena
Portland, Oregon
12 June 1999

Musicians:

  • Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
  • Charlie Sexton (guitar)
  • Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar
  • Tony Garnier (bass)
  • David Kemper (drums & percussion)

Continue reading June 12: Bob Dylan – Masters Of War, Portland, Oregon 1999 (Video)