Bob Dylan – The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration Deluxe Edition (Album/DVD Review)

In his introduction, Kris Kristofferson sums up the magnitude of the event held October 16, 1992 at Madison Square Garden: “On march 19, 1962, Columbia records released the first album by a new artist, Bob Dylan; now 30 years, 38 albums and over 500 songs later, Bob Dylan is recognized as one of the most powerful, creative artists of our time. Backstage we have one of the greatest collection of performing artists ever assembled, and they are all here for one reason. To pay tribute to Bob Dylan through his own songs.”

Originally released in 1993 on VHS, a new deluxe version has been struck from a High Definition video master found in a vault in Japan, with remastered audio, and re-released as The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration – Deluxe Edition DVD Blu-ray and CD.

It is nearly impossible to pick out highlights of the nearly four-hour concert, as every song was a one-of-a-kind performance from one of the most impressive lineups in the history of rock: Neil Young, Tom Petty, Lou Reed, the Band, Pearl Jam, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Tracy Chapman, John Mellencamp, and more. Twenty years later, the performances that stand out emotionally are from the heroes who have passed on, namely George Harrison’s beautiful take of “Absolutely Sweet Marie,” which marked his final time performing in public. Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash delivering the classic “It Aint Me Babe,” with bravado. Richie Havens gives his patented solo interpretation of “Just like a Woman,” and Levon Helm and Rick Danko lead the Band through “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”

It is also remarkable to realize all the people who have had hit records with Dylan songs, as Roger McGuinn leads the house band of Booker T & the MG’s through the Byrds’ version of “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and The O’Jays reunite to do their soul hit “Emotionally Yours.”

The bonus material in the package includes the previously unreleased rehearsal performances from Eric Clapton and Sinead O’Connor, who was supposed to perform Dylan’s gospel classic “I Believe in You,” but days earlier she tore up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live and the crowd booed her off the stage. The moment is caught on the concert DVD and is one of the most evocative and uncomfortable moments to be seen, as the pop star defiantly stands her ground against an angry mob.

The new behind-the-scenes documentary includes rehearsal footage and interviews with many of the performers who share anecdotal memories of Dylan and fantastic quotes about how he has inspired them. Roger McGuinn explains how the impact of Dylan’s music shut down Tin Pan Alley, and a young Eddie Vedder testifies that “music is like religion to me, and yesterday it felt like we were in the room with ten of the twelve apostles.” Lou Reed suggests his theory saying, “I think Dylan introduced the idea of having a more complicated lyric, as opposed to pop music.” Tracy Chapman declares that “he made it all right to be political in your art and music, and the songs you write.” Uber producer Don Was recounts that “I learned about Allen Ginsberg through Bob Dylan. I learned about Howlin’ Wolf through Bob Dylan. He was a musicology course for me.” Chrissie Hynde extols her feelings, saying “I’ve loved him — folk and rock and country and gospel. At the end of the day he is a folk singer to me. For years and years, he is still doing that. He’s never bought into any of the nonsense.”

After an all-star singalong rendition of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” Dylan lives up to Hynde’s description as he closes the concert with “Girl From the North Country,” appearing center stage at the garden as the icon he has become, a man alone with his guitar performing one of his much beloved songs.

Bob Dylan
The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration – Deluxe Edition
(Sony Legacy)

originally published at Innocent Words June 29-2014

Rick J Bowen