With this band, one thinks, Dylan could have set the world on fire again.
~Paul Williams (Bob Dylan: Performing Artist, Vol 2: The Middle Years 1974-1986)
Bob Dylan’s performance @ Letterman in 1984 is legendary… at least among fans & commentators.
Rockefeller Center
New York City, New York
22 March 1984
Late Night with David Letterman
Continue reading March 22: Bob Dylan at Letterman 1984 – Classic TV performance
What was it you wanted?
Tell me again so I’ll know
What’s happening in there
What’s going on in your show
What was it you wanted
Could you say it again?
I’ll be back in a minute
You can get it together by then
Continue reading Bob Dylan: What Was It You Wanted, London, England 4 February 1990 (Video)
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–
…the version [of Can’t Wait] he finally went with on Time Out of Mind makes a pig’s ear out of a prize-winning sow.
~Clinton Heylin (Still on the Road: The Songs of Bob Dylan Vol. 2, . 1974-2008)
–
…one day Bob comes in, sits at the piano, and plays this song, ‘Can’t Wait’. And this is a gospel version. Tony starts playing this real sexy groove with him, and Bob is hammering out this gospel piano and really singing. The hair on my arms went up. It was stunning. Luckily, I was recording. We were thinking, ‘If this is going to be anything like this, this record is going to be unbelievable.’
~Mark Howard (Engineer on Time Out Of Mind) about the early version – “Oxnard version”
–
Time out of mind version:
Close your eyes, close the door
You don’t have to worry anymore
I’ll be your baby tonight
Shut the light, shut the shade
You don’t have to be afraid
I’ll be your baby tonight
Continue reading March 19: Bob Dylan I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, Kerkrade 1995 (video)
Highlights: Bob’s harp playing, improved out of sight since last tour’s tentative efforts. The Wicked Messenger – absolutely searing rendition, I thought Patti’s version was good, but this took it to another level.
Standing in the Doorway, one of my absolute favourites,
starts beautifully and would have been a highlight, but lost it’s way lyrically – oh well! maybe next time. Watchtower and Hwy61 – simply smokin’ Desolation Row and Visions in the one show!
-Sue (boblinks.com)
Continue reading March 18: Bob Dylan @ Perth Entertainment Center, Australia in 2001 (audio)