A video chronicling Bob Dylan’s Far East tour in early 1986 with Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. Its ten songs combine ’60s favorites such as “Just Like A Woman” with striking later numbers like “When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky.” The band is sharp, and Dylan is in good form. (Broadcast on HBO June 20, 1986.)
~William Ruhlmann (allmusic.com)
Recorded at the Entertainment Center in Sydney, 24 and 25 February 1986. The video was released in October on CBS/FOX and contains the following songs:
Sometimes I feel so low-down and disgusted
Can’t help but wonder what’s happenin’ to my companions
Are they lost or are they found
Have they counted the cost it’ll take to bring down
All their earthly principles they’re gonna have to abandon?
There’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend
Sportpaleis Ahoy Rotterdam, The Netherlands 19 September 1987
Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
Tom Petty (guitar)
Mike Campbell (guitar)
Benmont Tench (keyboards)
Howie Epstein (bass)
Stan Lynch (drums)
The Queens Of Rhythm: Carolyn Dennis, Queen Esther Marrow, Madelyn Quebec (backing vocals)
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
Setlist (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers songs excluded)
So Long, Good Luck And Goodbye (Weldon Rogers)
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Positively 4th Street
We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me) (Dick Robertson/Nick Cogane/Sammy Myalls)
Shot Of Love
We Had It All (Donny Fritts-Troy Seals)
Union Sundown — Heartbreakers 4 songs
Mr. Tambourine Man
One Too Many Mornings
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)
Band Of The Hand
When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky
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
Ballad Of A Thin Man
— Heartbreakers 4 songs
Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35
Seeing The Real You At Last
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)
