a variegated and incandescent, musical journey!

let me first say that i am beholden to my friend arthur for introducing me to this album. i had never really been a dylan fan before i heard this record. indeed, the "royal albert hall concert" exposed me to the many-colored and brilliant genius of bob dylan.

on the first disc, expect to find a seemingly dour bob dylan, as he carefully performs an emotionally charged acoustic set. the first four tracks on disc one are worth the price of the album alone. before he takes the stage, dylan avoids any supererogatory banter with the audience. he plays through the acoustic numbers without ever acknowledging them. my personal favorite, "visons of johanna," is gut-wrenchingly wistful. unlike the album version of the song, the live performance effectively communicates a boundless emptiness, heart-ache, and longing. likewise, "fourth time around" is simply spell-binding. the crowd remains hushed even through the verses that usually provoke a laugh. clearly, there is a palpable tension in the air. the audience was witnessing dylan's valediction from folk.

i could expatiate about the second disc as well, but i will spare you any such vainglorious pleasures. the subject has been expounded upon ad-nauseam, and i don't feel the need to boast about my knowledge. suffice it to say, dylan appears a bit petulant in his demeanor. yet, one can grant him amnesty, especially since many in the crowd considered the electric set to be spurious endeavor. surely, many in attendence resisted the temptation to inveigh against dylan. others could no longer preserve their rectitude. they wanted to besmirch dylan in the name of all that is holy. JUDAS! he cried.

when you hear the second disc, you will find it in your heart to exculpate dylan. the previously subdued compositions are played with feral emotion. don't pay any attention to the prate of those folkies. it's all foolish and idle talk. score one for rock and/or roll!!!

Simply the best!

I dont know if i could write anything that hasnt already been said. This is the greatest Dylan performance i have ever heard! The first disc, which is the acoustic set is typical Dylan but when you switch to disc 2 its all elecrtric. Dylan's performance of "like a rolling stone" is the best ever.

Unfortunately wrong venue

Despite being Dylan fans , with the exception of one reviewer the

rest of you are misguided as to the venue, It was indeed the Free Trade Hall in Manchester..I should know ..I was there. I was studying for my Degree in Manchester and it was my final year in 1966.

We booked tickets but the place was jam packed...to our good fortune..my friend and I ended up sitting on the stage right behind the Man himself and his band the Hawks.

It has become know as the Judas concert..during the electric second half a member of the audience shouts out "Judas"..to which Bob replies "I don't believe you, you're a liar" and he can then be heard saying to the band " play F***ing loud".

For those interested about this defining moment in Dylans career there is a book about the whole show and its build up called "Like the night.." by C.P Lee (ISBN 1 900924 07 2)take look at the photos and you will see me and my mate peeping from out of the shadows behind the band on the stage.