Bob Dylan – Fiddle & Bow: Unreleased Live Recordings, Spring 2005 Review

Around 2005, Bob Dylan received a universal acceptance as an artist who could do no wrong. His releases from this point on were consistent and well-informed pieces where the influences of his past were adapted into the studio. He would gain a better hand in producing and find a stronger impact for his voice in covers of the American Songbook as well as a slate of original works which would reflect further on his time as an influential force of the 1960s and 1970s. Taking those feelings, raw and energised, to the stage in the mid-2000s is a fascinating experience for those who wish to seek them out. Fiddle and Bow: Unreleased Live Recordings, Spring 2005, does a wonderful job at pulling together the very best of those fan recordings in an unofficial bootleg to be reckoned with.  

A collection of classics drawn up with new instrumental flourishes is always a neat joy. No surprise these are pieces with additional fiddle and bow instructions for the backing band. It works wonders. There is a fixation on these additions which brings out the best in Fiddle and Bow. Dylan has a croak so bad it may transfer to listeners, a little tickle in the throat. That may be a lack of coffee though. The Pavlov effect of having three a day makes for a desire to glug down more and more. Throat soothers could be distributed to those on stage but after a troubled start on Absolutely Sweet Marie, there comes a complete overhaul of the instrumentals. Innovative these fiddle and bow additions may be they are matched in their quality by a firm line of guitar intensity. There is a glorious high with the instrumentals of Absolutely Sweet Marie. The same can be said for It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue though the verses are given a better push by Dylan

Chills reign supreme on Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again. A swinging instrumental tone paired wonderfully with an in-form and clear-sounding Dylan. This is the spark needed. A welcome change of pace. There was perhaps some additional love for Dylan booming through 2005 given the Martin Scorsese documentary on his glory days. The spotlight was once more burning through the best bits. Hazel makes a nice listen, and a brash Dylan performance filters through and lays out one of the best The Band collaboration performances in memory. Under the Red Sky may be the most shocking appearance of all in the Fiddle and Bow compilation. It is not too beloved a song yet makes for decent fodder here as a slicked-back, string-laden experience. 

Closer All Along the Watchtower is a neat addition which brings out the best in this Dylan piece. There is plenty of fiddle-laden quality to go around on Fiddle and Bow, a strong companion piece to those hoping to hear more from the pre-studio roars of success. Dylan and the band remain in good form for this experience and there is nothing quite like the joys of Honest with Me or Mississippi. Another batch of unofficial bootlegs brings a bit of joy and flavour to the ears. With it comes a sense of urgency. Dylan knows he is back in favour and does well to capitalise on this with a string of live showcases which depend on a wild new sound. He is a man adapting his works with a positive focus, discarding the darker days.

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