Tag Archives: Across The Borderline

Bob Dylan: The Songs he didn’t write





37th AFI Life Achievement Award - Show

 

In this series of posts we will focus on songs Dylan has performed (either in concert, rehearsal or studio), but not written.




Recommended books:

Recommended audio:

bob dylannet covers




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-Egil

Bob Dylan – Across The Borderline (Cooder/Hiatt/Dickinson) – Audio & Video

Dylan cooder hiatt dickinson

 

There’s a place where I’ve been told
Every street is paved with gold
And it’s just across the borderline
And when it’s time to take your turn
Here’s one lesson that you must learn
You could lose more than you’ll ever hope to find

 

Other versions

Written by Ry Cooder, John Hiatt & Jim Dickinson, this beautiful song was released on Ry Cooder’s 1987 album “Get Rhythm”.

ry cooder - get rhythm

1. Ry Cooder his album “Get Rhythm” (1978):



Bob Dylan played Ry Cooder & Freddy Fender’s version on show 44 (themed “Texas”) of his “Theme Time Radio Hour”.

freddy-fender-across-the-borderline-mca

2. Here is Freddy Fender:

A couple of more great versions before we move on to Dylan..

Willie Nelson - AcrossTheBorderline

3. Willie Nelson’s version from his 1993 album.. “Across the Borderline”:

jim dickinson a thousand footprints

4. Jim Dickinson live –  from the album “A thousand footprints in the sand” (1997 ):

Bruce Springsteen has covered this pearl many times… there is a couple of great videos on YouTube, BUT my Springsteen choice has to a “audio only YouTube”:

bruce springsteen jackson brown bonnie raitt

5. Bruce Springsteen (with Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt) – 17 November 1990 – Shrine Auditorium, LA:

 

Bob Dylan versions:

When you reach the broken promised land
And every dream slips through your hands
Then you’ll know that it’s too late to change your mind
‘Cause you’ve paid the price to come so far
Just to wind up where you are
And you’re still just across the borderline

Continue reading Bob Dylan – Across The Borderline (Cooder/Hiatt/Dickinson) – Audio & Video

Bob Dylan – Madison Square Garden – New York City – 17 July 1986

bob dylan tom petty

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.)

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-Egil

Bob Dylan – US Summer Tour 1986 – True Confession Tour part 3 (Videos, Audio, and more)

bob dylan tom petty 1986

Before diving into the music of the “US Summer Tour – 86”, let’s look at some videos leading up to the tour.

Let’s kick off with the Tokyo (backstage Budokan) interview. (It should probably have been included in part 2 of this series, but I didn’t find it till now).

10 March 1986
MTV Interview, Backstage, Budokan Hall, Tokyo

…probably I’d do ANY song that I’d ever written, but to put them in a show is a different thing, because it takes time, and there’s not a lotta time when you play for a few hours.
~Bob Dylan (1986-03-10)

..and same place.. with Tom Petty (talking about touring with Dylan):

Continue reading Bob Dylan – US Summer Tour 1986 – True Confession Tour part 3 (Videos, Audio, and more)