Live Dylan: something to talk about
Write what you know, they say. I’ve collected Bob Dylan live recordings in one format or another for 16 years. These days, my box of cassettes sits unused while most of my collection is in MP3 format. A quick glance through my music folder shows me I have over 40 live shows or sets of live shows, and there are probably more tucked away in other places.
So I’m going to start listening to them and maybe, in the process, start to filter some out that I don’t really need anymore.
Some notes about the collection and my methods:
–MP3 format. When you download new shows, you get them as lossless audio, usually FLAC files. They come with dire warnings about not converting this show to MP3s. But FLACs are too large for me to store effectively and don’t play in all music players. Also, please allow me to step on your audiophile toes. If you claim you can tell the difference between a FLAC and a high-bitrate MP3, you either A) have more money to spend on equipment than I do, or B) are lying to sound like you know what you’re talking about. Add to this that most Dylan shows are taped through condenser microphones from the audience, and I think it’s fair to say that the audiophiles should just shut up.
–I’ll rate the performance, the sound quality, and what I will call the “Bob factor”. A pristine recording of an off night can only go so far, and an awful recording of a great show can be transcendent. And none of that matters if the band is on but The Poet himself doesn’t feel like giving it his best. That does happen occasionally.
–All shows are from the so-called “never ending tour,” 1988 and later. 1987 was the period when Dylan rediscovered touring as both a personal joy and as good business. He mentions in Chronicles how touring with the Grateful Dead renewed his artistic interest. Judging from the touring he’s done since then, the Dead’s business model–using small and frequent regional jaunts to convert fans into cash–can’t have been lost on him either. Whatever his reasons, post-1987 shows are the ones that interest me.
–I’ll list the set opener among the various data points. This used to be a bigger deal. In fact, people used to bet on it, because it would be different nearly every night. It’s been a lot more consistent lately, but there’s still something about the opener that makes me smile.
Just to prove I’m serious, I’ll start in the very next post.
March 11th, 2008 - Posted in Live Dylan | |
