Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan video, Music Calendar

May 9: Bob Dylan Blind Willie McTell, 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)

Well, I heard that hoot owl singing
As they were taking down the tents
The stars above the barren trees
Was his only audience
Them charcoal gypsy maidens
Can strut their feathers well
I can tell you one thing
nobody can sing
the-blues-like-Blind-Willie-McTell

There’s a woman by the river
With some fine young handsome man
He’s dressed up like a squire
Bootlegged whiskey in his hand
There’s a chain gang on the highway
You can hear them rebels yell
I can tell you one thing
nobody can sing
the-blues-like-Blind-Willie-McTell

Well, God is in His heaven
And we all want what’s His
But power and greed and corruptible seed
Seem to be all that there is
I’m gazing out the window
Of the St. James Hotel
I can tell you one thing
nobody can sing
the-blues-like-Blind-Willie-McTell

bob dylan manchester 2002

Check out:

-Egil