That was an inspired song that came to me. I felt like I was just putting down words that were coming from somewhere else, and I just stuck it out.
~Bob Dylan (“Biograph” notes)
“That’s an excellent song, very painless song to write,… It took like 12 seconds – or that’s how it felt.”
~Bob Dylan (to Robert Hilburn – Feb 1992)
…But “Every Grain of Sand” is something special: the “Chimes of Freedom” and “Mr. Tambourine Man” of Bob Dylan’s Christian period. A pearl among swine, it has surety and strength all down the line. Also vulnerability.
~Paul Nelson (from his famous “Rolling Stone Magazine” review of “Shot Of Love” – Oct. 1981)
1978 was one of Dylan’s darkest period and one of his most controversial tours. A lot of people thought the 1978 World Tour or “Alimony Tour” was bad, maybe because of to the Live at Budokan double LP. In fact, it was one of the most exciting, especially in Europe in Summer and the US in Autumn. There are many good, and some great bootlegs from the tour.
This tape is from the Pavillon de Paris concert in July. You can find it on the bootleg “Border Beneath the Sun”. It was the fourth night from a series of five concerts in Paris. Bob is on fire and you can hear the power of the big band. He’s rocking with all he can and the Street-Legal songs are amazing. The sound is excellent (if a bit low).
This is a must listen for any fan of Bob Dylan.
Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
Billy Cross (lead guitar)
Alan Pasqua (keyboards)
Steven Soles (rhythm guitar, backup vocals)
David Mansfield (violin & mandolin)
Steve Douglas (horns)
Jerry Scheff (bass) Bobbye Hall (percussion)
Ian Wallace (drums)
Helena Springs, Jo Ann Harris, Carolyn Dennis (background vocals)
Bobsboots:
“An incredible audience recording of a powerhouse performance. The title is taken from the all new lyrics in The Man In Me. The artwork is fairly nice. As our friend David Elliot pointed, out Masters Of War is left off of the back cover track list. Oddly, it’s track number (6) is left off as well, so all songs remain numbered correctly. The sound quality is as good as many soundboards. The main problem with the sound is one that seemed to be indicative of the Silver Rarities Label. The signal to noise level is way too low. (This means that you have to crank the volume to hear the discs). Since it is digital, and from a fairly quiet analog tape source, that isn’t a major problem with this particular piece. This is definitely one to have in any collection.”
What good am I if I’m like all the rest
If I just turn away, when I see how you’re dressed
If I shut myself off so I can’t hear you cry
What good am I?
What good am I if I know and don’t do
If I see and don’t say, if I look right through you
If I turn a deaf ear to the thunderin’ sky
What good am I?
La Fête de la Fraternité Parc Departemental du Bourget Paris, France 3 July 1994