Bob Dylan – Shelter from the Storm: Live in London Review

Recent versions of Shelter from the Storm by Bob Dylan have heard, inevitably, a broad instrumental change. It is his way of keeping the song in question, be it a classic like Mr. Tambourine Man or a deep cut like Delia, fresh for the long-serving musicians backing those never-ending days on stage. Shelter from the Storm has slipped from its place in the tracklist, likely for good. With Rough and Rowdy Ways dominating the attention of the set (and rightly so) it feels unlikely we will receive Blood on the Tracks tunes in there again. Unless Dylan is feeling suddenly sentimental, we may never get Shelter from the Storm live again. Turn, then, to this performance from London, where an all-time great musical lineup from Dylan’s live performances is heard bringing new life to a song which celebrated half a century earlier this year. 

Irrespective of its place on the modern-day tracklist, we can head back fifteen years ago for this London performance. Shelter from the Storm works regardless of the instrumental arrangement underlining it. A song where the lyrics are strong enough to work in isolation. Additions from Stu Kimball and Denny Freeman on guitar are the difference maker for this performance. It feels slightly in line with the lighter tone, the legend of the stage suggestions, of the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour. There is a spring in Dylan’s step, backed by some smooth and free percussion work from George Recile. It adds a light, catchy flavour to Shelter from the Storm which can be heard in the original recording, just not as upbeat. There are faithful adaptations found within this rendition which feature not the same emotional tone but the same sincerity as that Blood on the Tracks classic. Pair it with Dylan on harmonica, and you have quite the perfect performance.  

Shelter from the Storm may be best experienced on the Hard Live rip, but this London performance offers a sweet, softer contrast. Gone is the rage and in comes a rare moment of reflection from Dylan. He still wears his heart on his sleeve, the pauses before the line referencing the title, like a lump in the throat pressed back down by the stylish guitar work at hand. Dylan recedes into harmonica playing comfort towards the end of Shelter from the Storm, a welcome change of pace as you can hear him itching to join in with the free-flowing instrumental style Freeman and Recile offer the song. When he does join, it feels like a liberating moment, a reward for dealing with such earnest lyrical choices.  

Where this London date may provide listeners with one of the last Shelter from the Storm performances, it is certainly not wasted. An articulate continuation of the flowing highs and lows of love, heard on the original studio recording, is adapted inevitably well to the stage. Pair it with some lighter instrumentals, and a flourish of good-natured reflection, and Dylan finds a new life for one of his all-time greats. It should be no surprise he does, and yet it remains a continually exciting experience to hear where he will take a song so cemented in the history books. Shelter from the Storm is given a rewarding live overhaul, with plenty of welcome instrumental changes opening up a softer side to one of Dylan’s all-time greats.