It should be noted that this review is not of the DVD which is released next week, but of the film broadcast on BBC4 last week. Although I am led to believe they are one and the same, so, anyway...
This film documents Bob Dylan's appearances at the Newport Folk Festivals in 1963, 64 and 65. It contains previously unseen footage, along with some bits that you may have seen on 'No Direction Home' and various documentaries.
Not being a huge fan of Early Folky Bob, I was not particularly excited about the songs from 1963, however the footage here is brilliant. Firstly it reveals a different world from festivals and gigs of the 21st Century. For part of his performance, Dylan sits in the middle of the audience, who are listening attentively to his every word. One guy sat behind him seems to have had a big grin attached to his face and he doesn't seem to even blink throughout. Compare that to audiences at gigs these days, who would be chatting to each other during the less well known songs and taking photos of Bob with their camera-phone.
The highlights of the 1963 film are probably 'Talking World War III Blues' and 'Who Killed Davey Moore', both bright, brilliantly written songs that have passed me by due to my prejudice against the early days of Dylan's career. I now know what I was missing. It is wonderful to watch the young, fresh faced Bob sing these songs. The only disappointing song here is a diabolical version of 'Blowin' in the Wind' where Bob is joined by Joan Baez, The Freedom Singers and Peter, Paul and Mary. It is hard to hear anything at all apart from Baez's very 'distinctive' singing.
1964 shows Bob looking more confident and dressed all in black. You can start to see signs of what is to come. This is probably the weakest performance of the three. Joan Baez joins Bob for most of the songs and seeing them giggle their way through 'It Ain't Me Babe' seems to entertain the crowd but does not make for great viewing forty years on. It is impossible not to feel sorry for Baez though, you can see her devotion to Dylan and you are aware that he is about to embark on a complete change of direction that will be hard for her to understand. Highlights of the '64 footage are 'Mr Tambourine Man' which Dylan performs solo and 'With God On Our Side' with Baez. It is amusing to see the festival announcer trying to introduce the next act and being completely drowned out by shouts from the audience for Dylan to return.
When he did return in 1965 it was with a band and an electric guitar. Much of this footage, you may have seen before. He starts with a thrilling version of 'Maggies Farm' and although you know the story already, it is still shocking to hear the volume of the boos when they finish playing. Next up is a version of 'Like A Rolling Stone' which is almost as magnificent as the version at the Albert Hall concert a year later. Again the song ends with booing and Dylan and his band leave the stage. It does seem that a lot of the booing was because of the poor sound quality as well as an unwillingness to appreciate Dylan's new sound because when the announcer asked if the audience would like 'Bobby' to play one more song, there is a huge cheer. He returns with an acoustic guitar and plays 'Mr Tambourine Man' before ending with 'Its All Over Now Baby Blue' which is a goodbye to the Newport Folk Festival and that era of Dylan's career.
This is a magnificent film. If you are a Dylan fan it is required viewing, just to see the amazing change in Bob in just three years and some absolutely amazing performances. Even if you are not a Dylan fan, the film is a superb document of the time and the changes that were taking place. Enthralling stuff.
9.7
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