Bob Dylan - MTV Unplugged

Rating:
Summary: A major disappointment
Review: In his polka-dot shirt and shades, Dylan seems determined to step back in time to those days in the '60s when he first went electric. Trouble is, there is nothing electric about his appearance on MTV's "Unplugged." Dylan looks good but sounds pretty awful, and the songs that were chosen for inclusion in the program should have been pruned out of his set years ago. The lovely, and rarely heard "Shooting Star" from 1989's "Oh Mercy" is a breath of fresh air, but "Dignity" sounds like what it is: a leftover deemed not worthy for placement on the same album. The other selections are just tiresome. "Tombstone Blues," if sung with more interest than Dylan shows here, could have been a highlight, but "All Along the Watchtower" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" have been around the bend once too often on live albums (and videos), and should be given a much needed rest. What should have represented a major comeback (like the one that would result with the release of "Time Out of Mind") is a major disappointment instead.

Rating:
Summary: a marvelous, unique Dylan concert
Review: In the blackest of sunglasses and a polka dot shirt, Dylan, and his musicians, are fabulous in this concert taped in Sony Music Studios on November of 1994, in an intimate setting with a small but enthusiastic audience.
From the mellow country feel of "Shooting Star", the up-tempo "Dignity", or the somber "With God on Our Side", the musicianship is a marvel, and being a "nobody sings Dylan like Dylan" person, I love the way he sings his music with his gravelly voice that gets rougher as the years go by.
The acoustic instruments are a pleasure to listen to, as well as a visual delight, especially the gleaming rich wood of the double bass.

This disc contains 4 tracks that were not included in the MTV Unplugged broadcast (# 1, 5, 6 and 8), and total running time is 73 minutes.
The terrific musicians are: Tony Garnier on bass, Bucky Baxter on dobro, Winston Watson on drums, John Jackson on guitar and Brendan O'Brien on organ.
Track list with original release album dates:
1: "Tombstone Blues" (Highway 61 Revisited '65)
2: "Shooting Star" (Oh Mercy '89)
3: "All Along the Watchtower" (John Wesley Harding '67)
4: "The Times They Are A-Changin'" (The Times They Are A-Changin' '64)
5: "John Brown" (MTV Unplugged '94)
6: "Desolation Row" (Highway 61 Revisited '65)
7: Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35" (Blonde on Blonde '66)
8: "Love Minus Zero / No Limit" (Bringing it All Back Home '65)
9: "Dignity" (Greatest Hits Vol. 3 '94)
10: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid '73)
11: "Like a Rolling Stone" (Highway 61 Revisited '65)
12: "With God on Our Side" (The Times They Are A-Changin' '64)


Rating:
Summary: wonders never cease
Review: Just when you think he can't, not only can he, he does with a vengence

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Let me begin by saying how excited I was when I picked up this DVD. However, as the first track passed, it was very apparent that the quality of Bob Dylan's performance was definitely lacking. I'm sitting here guzzling a couple beers to contain my frustration. I would strongly discourage anyone from getting this awful DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Let me begin by saying how excited I was when I picked up this DVD. However, as the first track passed, it was very apparent that the quality of Bob Dylan's performance was definitely lacking. I'm sitting here guzzling a couple beers to contain my frustration. I would strongly discourage anyone from getting this awful DVD.

Rating:
Summary: DYLAN IS THE BEST
Review: SIMPLY PUT BOB DYLAN IS THE BEST SONGWRITER AND SINGER EVER. THIS VIDEO IS JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE DYLAN DID, AWESOME!!!

Rating:
Summary: Lackluster Performance
Review: The CD of this performance did nothing for me, so the added dimension of watching this show does makes this set palatable, I guess. It's kinda interesting to watch. I just can't get excited about it because Dylan and the band don't seem too excited about it. The energy level does start to pick up in the end somewhat, I think. But there's a feeling of "going through the motions" here that is unfortunate. And the set list leaves a lot to be desired. John Brown and God on Our Side are interesting, I guess. Dignity's kinda fun because it's not on an album, I guess. Oh yawn, think I'll take a nap.

Rating:
Summary: Unstoppable.
Review: The opener, a reworked version of Tombstone Blues, is an absolute scream -- there is no need to watch the rest of the video. However, for those too floored to hit the Stop button, the rest of the show sustains.

Rating:
Summary: Great DYLAN
Review: This is a great video for anyone who enjoys Dylan. It is crisp, clear and fresh. He is absolutely superb in his playing and in performing. Many of you may not think that Dylan is a great guitar player but watch him in this video. He has all the bluegrass moves and for the most part is playing lead acoustic. His interpretation of his hits is the best I have seen him live after 1980. Bob can JAM!

Rating:
Summary: Great DYLAN
Review: This is a great video for anyone who enjoys Dylan. It is crisp, clear and fresh. He is absolutely superb in his playing and in performing. Many of you may not think that Dylan is a great guitar player but watch him in this video. He has all the bluegrass moves and for the most part is playing lead acoustic. His interpretation of his hits is the best I have seen him live after 1980. Bob can JAM!