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 Bob Dylan- Unplugged, Again Aug 08, 2008
Not intentionally, a least I do not think that is the case, I watched this Bob Dylan MTV Concert from 1995 directly after watching his Bob Dylan: The Other Side of The Mirror: Live at The Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965, Bob Dylan and various other artists, 2007. I have reviewed that documentary separately in this space. However, comments, and of necessity, comparisons between the two are in order here. I will not go on and on about hair styles and clothing as I did in the earlier film, in order to draw contrasts, because except wearing some sunglasses his persona has not changed dramatically from the 1965 Concert where he set himself on his own personal rock and roll (or better, I think) folk rock path.
Obviously, there cannot be a complete comparison between play lists for the two films because in 1965 some of the material covered in the 1995 film had not been created like Knockin' On Heaven's Door or things like that. Others are older works, like a well- done John Brown, which had not been released earlier. Or the 1990's-created Dignity. One can, however, compare certain material covered in both films like The Times They Are A- Changin' , the classic Like a Rolling Stone and Love Minus Zero, No Limit (hereafter, No Limits).
Two things are clear by 1995. One is that Dylan, either by design or happenstance, had changed the mood and the manner in which he sang those songs, some for the better, some not. I believe that his newer version of Like a Rolling Stone geared to the musical tastes of a new generation works, No Limits does somewhat and Times not at all. First, I had to get over the sentimentally of knowing how these songs were played in my youth and wanting to cling to that notion, especially on a favored love anthem like No Limits. Still the changed-up in rhythm only partially works to demonstrate the original pathos of that song.
Second, and this is something I had also observed in a live concert that I attended in the early 1990's, old Bob had lost his voice and had adjusted some of his material to that new fact. Here comparison with the strong vibrant voice of 1965 is truly amazing. His adjustments worked best on a then new song like Dignity that has lyrics like in the old days but reflected his new vocal range. Nice. So is this thing worth seeing and hearing. Sure. But I would get that old The Other Side of the Mirror documentary - on purpose- to check out why, for a minute anyhow Dylan was the voice of my generation, the generation of '68.
Excellent presentation of this famous concert but song selection could have been better Apr 25, 2008
This is the famous "Unplugged" concert recorded for MTV in 1994. Of course all Dylan fans should have this DVD, for others a few comments:
(1) Dylan often rethinks his songs in concert so the version of a song such as "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" is quite different to what was recorded in the studio - this is neither a good or bad thing - just something to be aware of.
(2) Also when people say Dylan was in "good voice" here, the initiated may not be so convinced. Again Dylan live - especially in his later years - is a somewhat acquired taste.
(3) The song select could have been better. There are so many other songs I would rather have here, but obviously this is a matter of personal taste.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Just before he got to be an Old Man Feb 16, 2007
This is a great lesson in how one generation sees another. Bob on Mtv is one more proof that he wasn't just a voice of us Baby Boomers, see how easily The Times They Are A'Changin fits NOW. Dig the way new phrasing of old material just plain rocks, like Desolation Row. Timelessness and the power of the music smacks you upside the head even when you're looking for it.
2 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Bob was so much younger then, tho he's rockin' better now. Feb 10, 2007
This DVD is made by MTV, and it's got weird lighting, that's of course, really cool. The songs are good, & Bob was young-ish, so buy it for sure, or you'll never own a Bob Dylan DVD. (He signed each disc himself (not really.)). It's all acoustic, even the upright bass player. He uses no elctric guitars, but it's still really good.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Ain't Nuthin' New Jan 05, 2007
... and probably never will be to say about Mr Dylan.
You likes him, or you don't. If you don't, you can't be converted. If you does, you can't explain why. Not completely. Not comprehensively. Not specifically. Not even if you number all the things you know about his changes and phases and artful phrases.
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