Talkin’ About My Revolutions

BOB DYLAN & WYNTON MARSALIS SEPTET
Live in New York City [no label, 1CD]
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2004 Spring Gala, June 7, 2004.

Anyone listening to this and not paying attention would easily make the mistake of identifying the singer as Tom Waits; and the two songs as Swordfishtrombone outtakes! But these are classic Bob Dylan songs - It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry and Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right - re-arranged by Wynton Marsalis and Dylan was game enough to give these makeovers a try. After that Patti Smith-A Silver Mt Zion team-up, here is another unusual pairing that works.

Performing at the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2004 Spring Gala, a charity event that helped raised US$1.1 million, with the Wynton Marsalis Septet behind him, one would have thought that Dylan might have gone for a more swinging sound. Instead, he whipped out his harmonica and opted for a bluesy route (one which probably would have made Louis Armstrong smile) - any more bluesy, Dylan would’d landed straight into New Orleans! It sure would be interesting to see Dylan perform an entire show with the Septet.

Thanks to tragedy who shared this very good audience recording on the Dime site.

1. Introduction
2. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
3. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

Click here to download the tracks.

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Due to popular demand, these sets are now available for download:

Bob Dylan
Plymouth 1975
click here for the tracks

Kansas
Ontario 1978
click here for the tracks