Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Dylan has issued a large number of live albums in his day but 1974's Before the Flood deserves special mention because of the presence of the Band behind him. Dylan had recently brought the Band into the studio to record the chart-topping (yet still somehow under-appreciated) Planet Waves, which was the first (and, as it turned out, only) studio record he made after leaving Columbia for Asylum. He then asked them along on the subsequent tour, which at the time became the most successful rock tour in history. The fruits of that partnership are contained on this two-CD set, which actually ignores Planet Waves completely in favour of older classics. Although the album includes several strong collaborations, the highlights ironically come during Dylan's solo-acoustic portion, which yields powerful and gritty versions of "Don't Think Twice" and "It's Alright Ma" and during the Band's own exhilarating numbers with Dylan sitting out. --Marc Greilsamer
About the Artist
In early 1974 The Band joined Bob Dylan on a 40-date, 21-cities tour across America to record a live album that would be released on David Geffen's label Asylum. The tour was legendary in itself, as it was Dylan's first in seven years and it meant a much-needed comeback for both Dylan and The Band. Though the audiences were drenched in nostalgia and demanded old hits on the set-list, Dylan and The Band rearranged them in such a way that they were re-invigorated, re- energized and fresh. They rocked like they never had before. The line 'Even the President of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked' from 'It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)' took on a new meaning altogether thanks to the Watergate scandal early in the year, as did 'How does it feel?' from 'Like A Rolling Stone' where before it had been a sentence of banishment it became a declaration of a new-found independence that was worn as a badge of honor, not a scarlet letter. The recordings of Before The Flood, made mostly in New York and Los Angeles, were released in June 1974, and would peak at #3 in the Billboard 200, and thanks to Music On Vinyl it will be made available on vinyl for the first time in 25 years!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By J. H. Bretts
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
I bought this album when it first came out in 1974 and played it endlessly. But this remastered CD gave me the opportunity to listen to it again for the first time in over twenty years. It is much better than I remembered it. The sound quality is great and the musicianship is warm and inspired.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Geoffrey Millar
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
As a record of Dylan's 'Tour 74', this is a really good album, although the CD issue could have included a bit more music for the money.
There are some great versions here, but you have to like The Band's tough approach to the songs and the fact that Bob shouts a lot rather than sings, for example on Most Likely You'll Go Your Way, the set opener.
However, many songs benefit from this approach, particularly All Along the Watchtower, which gets a Hendrix inspired treatment. Predictably, the folkies get excited by the solo tracks, but I prefer the tracks with The Band.
The Band's own songs are enjoyable, but add little to the versions on Rock of Ages. There's one new song, Endless Highway, which is a nice surprise. The sound is solid and rich, but lacks some top-end and sounds pretty much the same as my old LPs.
The set makes an an interesting contrast to the Live 1966 'Albert Hall' concert, which featured the same musicians except Levon Helm.
There are some great versions here, but you have to like The Band's tough approach to the songs and the fact that Bob shouts a lot rather than sings, for example on Most Likely You'll Go Your Way, the set opener.
However, many songs benefit from this approach, particularly All Along the Watchtower, which gets a Hendrix inspired treatment. Predictably, the folkies get excited by the solo tracks, but I prefer the tracks with The Band.
The Band's own songs are enjoyable, but add little to the versions on Rock of Ages. There's one new song, Endless Highway, which is a nice surprise. The sound is solid and rich, but lacks some top-end and sounds pretty much the same as my old LPs.
The set makes an an interesting contrast to the Live 1966 'Albert Hall' concert, which featured the same musicians except Levon Helm.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Mike
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this to replace the original cassette version that was stolen from my car. It is not the greatest album,hence the 4*, but it is a really good live album. In my opinion, it is probably a "must have" for fans of Bob Dylan and the Band and I think you need to be a fan to buy this album. Personally, I like it.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 97 reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
APRES DYLAN....................... LA DELUGE
One of the truly great albums ever released. The band are the perfect co-conspirators and classics just flow. Read more
Published 3 months ago by goatsrant
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dylan on good form in '74, with `The Band' prominent
If you like Dylan but feel so-so about The Band's music, be warned: this is live concert material by Bob Dylan & The Band, not just by Bob Dylan. Read more
Published 3 months ago by The Guardian
5.0 out of 5 stars
addictive
I had this on vinyl in 1978. I must have listened to "like a rolling stone" endlessly- it is the one version where dylan says "how does it feel" etc. like he really means it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by bellygod
3.0 out of 5 stars
Before the Flood
Lots of energy and power, with Bob BELLOWING out the songs. Subtle it is not. But if you want a super-charged Seventies Dylan, this is worth hearing.
Published 14 months ago by Dave Gilmour's cat
4.0 out of 5 stars
best live album done
A surprisingly good live album with the Band. I don't normally enjoy any live albums but this is surprisingly good a vast improvement on Budo which must be the worst ever by him or... Read more
Published 18 months ago by malmac
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic music from the past
I found a used copy of this fantastic record on amazon. Since then I have listened to it several times.
Published on 5 Sep 2010 by Jens-Peter Fage
5.0 out of 5 stars
eat your heart out Noah
I first heard this in 1976, shortly after my introduction to Dylan's music through the Desire and Hard Rain albums. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2010 by Gizmophobic
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a Live album that is ALIVE
This album also features the Band with some of their Hits. The performance is truly electric and polished. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2005 by "rudymenz"
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not a favorite of this Dylan fan
To put this review in the proper perspective, let me state up front that while I am a huge fan of Bob Dylan, I am in no way a fan of The Band; thus, I'm not really qualified to... Read more
Published on 6 April 2003 by Daniel Jolley
1.0 out of 5 stars
stick to the studio recordings
Unlike other reviewers, I didn't engage with this at all. There is more to live performance than shouting words against a musical backdrop, any magic associated with a live... Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2001
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
