Today's Song of the Day is a live version "Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan & The Band from Dylan's 1966 mis-named "Royal Albert Hall" concert. The song is reportedly to do with a rivalry between Dylan and Andy Warhol ("Napolean in rags"), the two kings of the New York City art scene at that time, over a girl that is defecting Dylan's camp for Warhol's.
I've often said that The Band is my very favorite band, even though I change my mind every day. Robbie Robertson is certainly one of the best guitarists ever, and this track really shows what he can do; his chiming licks flailing at the contempt of the audience.
The Band began life as The Hawks, playing backup for Ronnie Hawkins, and then later for Bob Dylan's touring band and on several of his albums: Blonde on Blonde, Dylan, Planet Waves, and the infamous Basement Tapes. Their live sound with Dylan can be heard on this record and Before the Flood.
The Live '66 album showcases some of the finest guitar work of Robertson's career. Against a crowd fiercely hostile to Dylan's new electric set, The Band and Robertson play with astonishing force, climaxing after a biting rendition of "Ballad of A Thin Man" when someone from the audience calls Dylan "Judas". Dylan audibly turns from the microphrone and says to The Band "Play fuckin' loud," and they launch into the most caustic version of "Like A Rolling Stone" yet played, Dylan over-annunciating ever ounce of venom from the titular line "How does it feeeelll?" It's Dylan directly confronting the folk-music crowd's conservatism and moving to the sound his muse took him. Every musician since who has defied the wishes of his fans for the sake of his art owes a debt to Dylan.
The Band played their final concert with Robbie Robertson in 1978. Filmed by Martin Scorsese, it became The Last Waltz -- one of the finest rock'n'roll film documents of all time.
-Keith Daniels
I've often said that The Band is my very favorite band, even though I change my mind every day. Robbie Robertson is certainly one of the best guitarists ever, and this track really shows what he can do; his chiming licks flailing at the contempt of the audience.
The Band began life as The Hawks, playing backup for Ronnie Hawkins, and then later for Bob Dylan's touring band and on several of his albums: Blonde on Blonde, Dylan, Planet Waves, and the infamous Basement Tapes. Their live sound with Dylan can be heard on this record and Before the Flood.
The Live '66 album showcases some of the finest guitar work of Robertson's career. Against a crowd fiercely hostile to Dylan's new electric set, The Band and Robertson play with astonishing force, climaxing after a biting rendition of "Ballad of A Thin Man" when someone from the audience calls Dylan "Judas". Dylan audibly turns from the microphrone and says to The Band "Play fuckin' loud," and they launch into the most caustic version of "Like A Rolling Stone" yet played, Dylan over-annunciating ever ounce of venom from the titular line "How does it feeeelll?" It's Dylan directly confronting the folk-music crowd's conservatism and moving to the sound his muse took him. Every musician since who has defied the wishes of his fans for the sake of his art owes a debt to Dylan.
The Band played their final concert with Robbie Robertson in 1978. Filmed by Martin Scorsese, it became The Last Waltz -- one of the finest rock'n'roll film documents of all time.
-Keith Daniels
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
googused:
This whole Song of the Day thing never seems to catch on. I did it pretty regular last year and I think my total hits for about 4 months was 230 something. You'd think with all the music talk around here, people would be more interested.
rubbersoul:
Bob Dylan is the new Dylan.