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It is one of the best shows of the tour.
~Clinton Heylin (A Life In Stolen Moments)

..finds him again in very expansive “conquering hero” mood. It’s a terrific concert. I loved watching it.. and I love it now, listening to the superb circulating tape. .. it’s the second set where the magic really starts to happen.
~Paul Williams (BD Performing artist 1974-86)

Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
17 July 1986

Musicians:

• Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
• Tom Petty (guitar)
• Mike Campbell (guitar)
• Benmont Tench (keyboards)
• Howie Epstein (bass)
• Stan Lynch (drums)
  and with The Queens Of Rhythm:
• Carolyn Dennis, Queen Esther Marrow, Madelyn Quebec, Louise Bethune (backing vocals)

Setlist (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers songs excluded)

1. So Long, Good Luck And Goodbye (Weldon Rogers)
2. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
3. Positively 4th Street
4. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me) (Dick Robertson/Nick Cogane/Sammy Myalls)
5. Shot Of Love
6. We Had It All (Donny Fritts-Troy Seals)
7. Union Sundown
   — Heartbreakers 4 songs
8. Mr. Tambourine Man
   
9. One Too Many Mornings
   
10. I Want You
    ..one unique to the entire tour: “I Want You” as an acoustic duet.
    .. and Dylan launches into a sheer masterpiece of a vocal performance.. He’s performing like it’s a matter of life and death. He’s inspired. He’s alive.
    ~Paul Williams (BD Performing Artist 1974-86)
    
11. Band Of The Hand
12. When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky
13. Lonesome Town (Baker Knight)
    I wanna play a real special song here in this special place. This is the very stage where Ricky Nelson got booed off for singing Garden Party, this is the one, the very one. Anyway, it gives me a real great pleasure to sing one of Ricky’s songs in this place. This is one that when I was growing up, called Lonesome Town.
    ~Bob Dylan
    
14. Ballad Of A Thin Man
    
    
    — Heartbreakers 4 songs
15. Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35
16. Seeing The Real You At Last
17. Across The Borderline (Ry Cooder/John Hiatt/Jim Dickinson)
    ..a high point in a great evening.
    Anyway, you might think you know the music of bob dylan, but if you haven’t heard “Across the Borderline” from the 1986 tour (and this July 17 version is as good as it gets), you may be missing the heart of the man. For sure you’re missing a truly rewarding performance.
    ~Paul Williams (BD Performing Artist 1974-86)
    
18. I And I
    
19. Like A Rolling Stone
20. In The Garden
    —–
21. Blowin’ In The Wind
22. Shake A Hand (Joe Morris)
23. House Of The Risin’ Sun (trad.)

Check out:

• Bob Dylan – Farm Aid 1985 – True Confession Tour part 1
• Bob Dylan – Far East Leg – True Confession Tour part 2
• Bob Dylan – US Summer Tour 1986 – True Confession Tour part 3
  –
• Bob Dylan cover versions @ Johannasvisions
• Bob Dylan albums @ Johannasvisions
• Bob Dylan videos @ Johannasvisions
• Bob Dylan concerts @ Johannasvisions
• Bob Dylan recording sessions @ Johannasvisions

-Egil