Dylan delivers a knock-out performance. The gospel material is powerful and biting without a condescending edge. The older standards are performed with a new fire and passion that includes them among the best live versions to date. Dylan stumbles on the lyrics once or twice, but adds new lines as well that more than compensate. The vocals are crisp are over the top out front and in your face. The music is tight, well mixed, and well performed.
~bobsboots.com
Saenger Theater
Saenger Performing Arts Center
New Orleans, Louisiana
10 November 1981
- Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
- Fred Tackett (guitar)
- Steve Ripley (guitar)
- Al Kooper (keyboards)
- Tim Drummond (bass)
- Jim Keltner (drums)
- Arthur Rosato (drums)
- Clydie King, Regina Havis, Madelyn Quebec (background vocals)
… the sound quality of the tape, which is in circulating and which one hopes will be released in it’s entirety to an appreciative public someday, is absolutely brilliant, and I know it’s given a number of fans a different perspective on Dylan’s 1981 performances. This is a concert to listen to for the pure joy of music.
~Paul Williams (Bob Dylan: Performing Artist, Vol 2: The Middle Years 1974-1986
I totally agree with PW, this is indeed a brilliant concert.
I’ve embedded a couple of “single” songs and the full concert audio down below the setlist.
Setlist:
- Gotta Serve Somebody
- I Believe In You
- Like A Rolling Stone
- I Want You
- Man Gave Names To All The Animals
- Maggie’s Farm
- Girl From The North Country
- Ballad Of A Thin Man
- Heart Of Mine
- Simple Twist Of Fate
- All Along The Watchtower
- I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
- Forever Young
- Gamblin’ Man (trad.)
- The Times They Are A-Changin’
- A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall
- Watered-Down Love
- Shot Of Love
- Masters Of War
- Just Like A Woman
- Thief On The Cross
- Dead Man, Dead Man
- When You Gonna Wake Up
- In The Garden
— - Blowin’ In The Wind
- It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
- It Ain’t Me, Babe
- Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Full concert:
Check out: