A lot of people don’t like the road, but it’s as natural to me as breathing. I do it because I’m driven to do it, and I either hate it or love it. I’m mortified to be on the stage, but then again, it’s the only place where I’m happy. It’s the only place you can be who you want to be.
~Bob Dylan (John Pareles Interview, Sept. 1997)
I do a certain amount of concerts every year. But it’s not a constant never-ending tour. A part of me doesn’t wanna do it at all. Just want to quit right away. Playing is a job. My trade. Like you’re journalists. You are heading for the next news item, I’m heading for the next town.
~Bob Dylan (London press conference, 4 Oct 1997)
Never Ending Tour 1997
Start date
February 9, 1997
End date
December 20, 1997
Legs
6
No. of shows
11 in Asia
78 in North America
4 in Europe
–
93 in Total
What do you think Mozart would say to you if you ever come up to him and ask him the questions that you’ve been asking, you know? What kind of questions would you ask him, you know, ‘Tell me, Mr. Mozart… ‘
~Bob Dylan (to Klas Burling, April 28, 1966)
Immediately after the official press conference at the Hotel Flamingo at Stockholm, Dylan was interviewed for Swedish Radio 3: Stockholm: Radiohuset by Sweden’s first disc jockey, Klas Burling. Burling asked all the questions that Dylan had clearly grown sick and tired of hearing and got a really hard time as a result. You have to give poor Burling credit for lasting the distance and carrying the interview through to the end. (Every Mind Polluting Word)
“He’s been great to play with. Great fun as well, mostly because you can never let your mind drift. He’ll give the most familiar song an odd twist – a change of rhythm or a peculiar delivery. Playing with Bob Dylan certainly gives you a good kick up the ass. One night he’ll do something like he’ll say – on Stage – ‘Right, we’ll begin with “Forever Young” and the Heartbreakers have maybe played the song once before. Then he’ll say. ‘And Benmont you start it off´
– Benmont Tench (member of The Heartbreakers, Dylan´s backing band in 1986/1987)
In 1987 Dylan first made a guest appearance @ a Taj Mahal concert in Los Angeles, February 19, then performed with the The Grateful Dead 6 times in July & finally the “Temples in Flames Tour”.
When I got into rock ‘n’ roll, I didn’t even think I had any option or alternative. It showed me where my future was, just like some people know they are going to be doctors or lawyers or shortstop for the New York Yankees.
– Bob Dylan (Nov 10, 2003)
Never ending tour 2003
Start date
February 6, 2003
End date
November 25, 2003
Legs
4
No. of shows
11 in Oceania
54 in North America
33 in Europe
–
98 in Total
Uneven year with a great last leg (Europe fall: Oct 9 – Nov 25).
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Scandinavium
Gothenburg, Sweden
15 October 2003
Bob Dylan (vocal & piano)
Freddie Koella (guitar)
Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
Tony Garnier (bass)
George Recile (drums & percussion)
Queen Jane Approximately
When your mother sends back all your invitations
And your father to your sister he explains
That you’re tired of yourself and all of your creations
Won’t you come see me, Queen Jane?
Won’t you come see me, Queen Jane?
…When Dylan and Robbie Robertson arrive at their Denver hotel at 3AM, they jam in Dylan’s hotel room for an hour. Shelton tapes the session on his portable reel-to-reel. Although it is just three days after Dylan completed Blonde 0n Blonde, Dylan and Robertson work on three new songs that, had they been given titles and not simply forgotten by Dylan, might have been called “Positively Van Gogh,” “Don’t Tell Him,” and “If You Want My Love.” Dylan then plays “Just Like a Woman” and “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” for Shelton’s benefit, before deciding it is time to get some sleep.
~Clinton Heylin (Bob Dylan: A Life in Stolen Moments Day by Day 1941-1995)
Although the sound quality is bad this is wonderful stuff for some of us…
The music can be found on cd #6 in the bootleg “collection”: Jewels & Binoculars (26CD set).
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