A song of war will always have relevancy. It is just the way the world is headed. Chimes of Freedom was written at a time when the Cold War was just beginning, and though it never did warm, the fear was present. To some degree, that fear is still there, just not from the Cold War. Warfare looming over like a dark cloud set to break into rain means the songwriters who have grasped at feelings of fear and paranoia are set for life. A well-written song knocking back against the turmoil can be applied across the decades, to a point where it may lose the context of its initial battle. Chimes of Freedom is an aching song, a still-relevant beast from Bob Dylan’s discography. Decades on from its release and it can still provide chills, not just through the threat of war, but through the strength of its message.
Masters of War and Chimes of Freedom are closely tied, the latter song a search for freedom in times of crisis. The Another Side of Bob Dylan track had been adapted to the stage only a few times by Dylan, and just once in 2001. At a gig in Newcastle, Australia, Dylan found the track held relevance once more. It is not as though it has been in and out of his setlist, but the rapid succession of features it received between 2001 and 2011 is telling. Delicate is the word for this performance. So much as a cough from the audience would destroy the mood so carefully built by Dylan and the band here. It’s a magnificent performance from one of the all-time great Never Ending Tour line-ups. Charlie Sexton, Larry Campbell, Tony Garnier, and David Kemper are in exceptional form here. Not just because of what they play, but because they provide these instrumental additions with a near-silent subtlety.
That deeper vocal range from Dylan, the quickened drawl to “the chimes of freedom flashing,” is a masterstroke. It’s all about adapting a song to suit the mood of the set. Chimes of Freedom sounds phenomenal here. A sensational rendition which pulls its strength from an acoustic-driven adaptation of those words of hope for the oppressed. Whether that is war or poverty, it does not matter. Masters of War has a clear focus on the tip of the Cold War, and Chimes of Freedom does, too. The consequences are far beyond immediate incineration from a nuclear bomb. Chimes of Freedom highlights the slow death of those who need help. We should, and can, feel disgust for those situations, the empathy for people trapped in situations which could, and often will, kill them.
Hearing Dylan bring a song where thunder crashes as a reminder of those people is staggering. It’s a strong version of the song; a slowed tempo is the biggest change. Even then, it is not too grand a change as to make it unrecognisable, as some would argue other tracks are made to sound on this tour. For those who love the Love and Theft and Time Out of Mind touring years, this Chimes of Freedom performance is a treat. It’s a rarity from the stage, and at this point has slipped away from Dylan’s setlist, likely for good. There is still a desire for change found at the end of Chimes of Freedom, and as the skies clear, we can only hope that a difference is made. Dylan called for it decades ago, and it is clear how much an impact war had on his writing. It still impacts his sets, though subtly so in modern times than during the early 2000s.
