Various Artists

Bob Dylan: The 30^th Anniversary Concert Celebration (Deluxe Edition)

Legacy Recordings/Columbia

On October 16^th, 1992 many of music’s biggest stars gathered to honor Bob Dylan on the 30^th anniversary of his first Columbia Records album. This was during a very quiet time in Dylan’s storied career. He had decided not to record any new material and had returned to his roots by recording old folk songs. It was this “quiet time” that led to his massive career resurgence in the late nineties, but at this show it was his history that resurged.

This re-release is a two CD/two DVD set that features remastered audio and a new High Definition  video master. Included as well are over 40 minutes of rehearsal and interview footage that has never been seen before. It also includes an excellent set of liner notes from pop music historian Bill Flanagan.

It’s odd looking back on the video footage of this historic night. Amidst so many high-profile, multi-million dollar tributes/ceremonies/award shows, this is a very low key affair. A very simple stage and a few lights adorn Madison Square Garden and many of the artists performed acoustically as solo artists or without the backing of a full band. Also, many of the artists themselves introduce the next artist. It’s just an odd look all the way around. In that respect, it’s very, very Bob Dylan.

The highlight of the video performances is certainly John Mellencamp, who kicks the show off with a blazing set of “Like a Rolling Stone” and the bonus track “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat.” Mellencamp was at the top of his game and he played these songs like he owned them that night. Then newcomers Mike McCready and Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) delivered a powerful acoustic rendition of “Masters of War” that stood in stark contrast to the music of the time period and proved them to be legit contenders in rock and roll. Of course, seeing The Clancy Brothers perform with Robbie O’Connell and Tommy Makem was a once in a lifetime treat as well, proving how much respect Dylan commanded from a variety of legends. And who can forget Sinead O’Connor getting booed off the stage hot on the heels of her Saturday Night Live stand against the Catholic Church?

For me, it’s the audio that transports me back to that place though. While it’s not much to look at, hearing Chrissie Hynde deliver a powerhouse version of “I Shall Be Released” is overwhelming when you are all alone and really crank it up. The same goes for Ron Wood offering the Dylan penned/Wood recorded “Seven Days” and Johnny Winter’s blistering blues rendition of “Highway 61 Revisited.” Another newcomer at the time, Tracy Chapman, delivers the fiery folk of “The Times They Are A-Changin’” with ease, showing how it still spoke volumes decades later.

Dylan himself eventually takes the stage, surrounded by legendary friends like Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Neil Young, and George Harrison (among others) to play “My Back Pages” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and, honestly, it’s just a big jam and doesn’t do much for me. When Dylan performs “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”  and “Girl From the North Country” though, he moves mountains with just his nasally whine and an acoustic guitar. I wish there was much more of this to be found, but considering that no one even knew whether or not he would be there, we are fortunate to have it. All in all, this is a piece of music history that is well worth your time to visit or revisit.