Revel in the endless stock of bootleg material. Intimate performances do not offer themselves frequently enough to artists in high demand. Bob Dylan has a universal appeal. The impact a small, barely attended set provides the man who in 1993 was gearing up for a return to monumental form, ripples through this first of two performances at Supper Club. Unplugged at Supper Club Vol. 1 features all the firm favourites of this period. Those oft-forgotten bits and pieces from the era many passive listeners consider the best of Dylan, but for one reason or another were shifted away from the limelight. Lay Lady Lay early into this first performance is a treat, and for those who listen in to these bootlegs and extra pieces frequently, the frequent appearances of it are a treat.
Nashville Skyline paid its dues over two decades later, then. Opener Absolutely Sweet Marie has the flair of those unique Dylan vocals – an adaptation to the thinner voice of the late 1980s and certainly a sense of accepting the new fate of his vocals. Instrumental excellence follows on Lay Lady Lay, the waning strings and softer flourishes of percussion show off a remarkable adaptation of a live classic. Slices of World Gone Wrong are always a treat to hear, so the inclusion of Blood in My Eyes feels sweet and nearly triumphant. Four years on from its release and here Dylan is, showcasing some of the finest efforts from such an album in the intimate setting it requires. For whatever reason, the plug was pulled on the proper release of these recordings.
Whether it is dissatisfaction with the process or a desire to move on sharply, it is unknown. What can be heard though is Dylan in exceptional form. It makes the decision to pull the release, all paid for by Dylan, even more mystifying. The early and late shows have little difference between them but highlight the workhorse within, playing out a near-identical setlist over the early and late shifts. Slight changes, particularly the change between Tight Connection to My Heart with Jack-A-Roe, are just a mark of confidence in material provided elsewhere. These are the tremendous scorches of vast quality Dylan was working with at the time. I Want You through to Forever Young is an unchanged selection of four tracks to round out the show, and they could not sound better across each show from the two-day experience.
A shame Tight Connection to My Heart was dropped, the electronic buzz and intermittent snaps of upbeat guitar work are a delight. The likes of I Want You linger on with incredible effect, the harmonica charms still embedded in this Blonde on Blonde song. More than anything, Unplugged at Supper Club Vol. 1, is a monumental cruise through the works and words of Dylan. Acoustic beauties through and through, the Acid Project bootleg does a marvellous job of scrubbing up the quality and assuring real consistency, splitting these four gigs over two days into compact and welcoming states. Easy to get into, hard to get over when finished, the crystal clear quality throughout Unplugged at Supper Club Vol. 1 is staggering, not just from Dylan but from the hardworking bootlegger who pieces it all together. Forever Young stands as a triumphant final track, what a way to end the set.
Solid overview. The sets are stellar. Decidedly superior to the 1994 Unplugged release, which served as a more “commercial” introduction for the uninitiated, one can only hope that an official Bootleg Series Supper Club release will eventually see the light of day. The Rattle Snake single disc release misses “Blood in My Eyes,” while including “Weeping Willow” and “Delia.” Tremendous shows.
I briefly scanned the beginning of this article, and I need to listen to these shows again. I was in attendance for the second show. Problem with someone of Dylan’s stature playing small venues-it’s HELL on the fans who attend. What I remember was being crammed into this joint, literally like dead tuna in a can. It was so uncomfortable, that I thought he sounded like crap as well. Not totally bad, but bad. I could barely see him, but I remember the polka dotted shirt, which Inthought was a cool retro look.
I need to hear the soundboard recordings, if they exist, but soundboard most of the time doesn’t always correspond with the sound live.
I remember the show as a poor, overhyped event. But I’ll take a listen.