Bob Dylan - Bleeding Shadows (2004) (mp3, 160kbps)

I have been so delighted with Bob Dylan's live performances between the late 90's and the early 00's. This show is more toward the end of that era, with Stu Kimball being swapped into the role that Charlie Sexton had occupied. Rumor is that Charlie had kind of a big mouth and he and Dylan eventually clashed - over something. Kimball had recently joined the band, just a few weeks before this recording. He was tentative and a bit reluctant to do too much. The other guitar continued to be multi-instrumental, jam band guru Larry Campbell, lately tearing it up with Phil Lesh & Friends. Campbell had genuine rapport with Dylan and had remained the last man standing during the turbulence at the end of the Sexton-era. Campbell was established and knew how to do everything just the way Dylan wanted it.

Kimball brought a Texas-Blues style of Strat through Fender Deluxe, no effects, amp all cranked. When I saw it in Wilmington a few weeks before this show, I forgot about not getting to see Charlie Sexton right away. Dylan had them sounding like a blues band!

We're also getting to hear a more relaxed Bob, who has just given up his struggle with the guitar during live shows. It makes me a bit sad, because the image of Dylan with his guitar is so iconic, but the story is that his fingers just couldn't take anymore, whether it be from arthritis, tendonitis or something else. He has now reinvented himself - starting as the old man playing in physical pain, to the child-like trickster, pounding away on his electric piano while twisting, dancing and crouching as he belts it out with what's left of his voice.

So, enjoy the band, the stunning recording, the pile of extras (see below) and some of the greatest rock music ever composed, sung by the man who wrote it.

Estadio Municipal Escribano Castilla
Motril, Spain July 10, 2004

Disc one:
Intro
Maggie's Farm
Tell Me That It Isn't True
Cry A While
Girl Of The North Country (acoustic)
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
Positively 4th Street
Highway 61 Revisited
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
If Dogs Run Free
Honest With Me

Disc two:
Not Dark Yet
Summer Days
encore:
Mr. Tambourine Man (acoustic)
Like A Rolling Stone
All Along The Watchtower
bonus:
It Ain't Me Babe (acoustic) (1)
Get Out Of Denver (2)
Ball And Biscuit (3)
Hazel (4)
God Knows (5)
Joey (6)
Unbelievable (7)
Heartland (w/Willie Nelson and sons) (8)

(1) Riviera Theater, Chicago, Illinois March 6, 2004
(2) State Theater, Detroit, Michigan March 16, 2004
(3) State Theater, Detroit, Michigan March 17, 2004
(4) 9:30 Club, Washington D.C. April 2, 2004
(5) Warner Theater, Washington D.C. April 4, 2004
(6) Holmes Center - ASU Boone, NC April 7, 2004
(7) The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC April 9, 2004
(8) Warner Park, Madison, Wisconsin August 27, 2004

Bob Dylan - piano, harmonica, vocal
Stu kimball - guitar
Larry Campbell - stringed instruments of every type and more
Tany Garnier - bass
George Recile - drums

The link is in the comments.

Update: link should be working now. Let me know if there is a problem. Thanks.