Description

Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT, USA 12th January 1990 ULTIMATE SOUND
★UPGRADE & LONGER!!! Super high sound quality.

　The 1990 performance at Toad’s Place was Bob Dylan’s legendary four-hour open rehearsal gig. It’s a legendary recording in Dylan’s live performance history, boasting a triple threat: “a plethora of rare tracks,” “a consistently high-energy performance,” and “superb audience recording.” The definitive version of this performance was released as “TOAD’S PLACE 1990,” and it’s already been 10 years since that highly acclaimed title was released.

　The album, highly acclaimed upon its release as the definitive recording of a legendary rehearsal gig, used audio files circulating online in its 2016 release. While this was considered the best option at the time, nowadays, files transferred directly from the original master cassette are available.

　And above all, ‘TOAD’S PLACE 1990’ has long been difficult to obtain. However, even though such a master copy exists, it would be outrageous to simply re-release a 10-year-old release as is. Therefore, this time, for the first time in history, a 100% pure version of ‘TOAD’S PLACE’ recorded from the master cassette has been realized.

　First of all, the sound quality is completely different. If you compare the release from 10 years ago with this new master, the difference is obvious. The clarity unique to this new master makes you realize once again that the previous release was a recording that had gone through several generations of cassette copies. Even the hiss noise before “Walk A Mile In My Shoes,” which kicks off the long gig, shows the difference clearly. You will feel the freshness and uplifting quality that only a master can offer right from the start.

　While the original audience recording already boasted exceptionally high sound quality, it suffered from a major flaw: a volume adjustment was made the moment “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” began, causing a brief interruption in the performance. The 2016 release’s biggest selling point was the patching in of “source 2,” which resulted in the first-ever complete recording. This latest release further enhances that “source 2” compensation.

　Not only was the opening track, but all the cuts that occurred during the four-hour gig due to cassette changes were also filled in. As a result, the section that was missing along with Dylan’s MC just before “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine,” as well as the ending of “Man In The Long Black Coat,” which had always been cut off in previous releases, are now included in their entirety for the first time. Thus, a groundbreaking release, the longest recording in Toes Place history, has been completed.

　This release has a longer running time than the 2016 version, and the final set begins towards the end of Disc 3, which is proof that it was recorded from the master. Furthermore, the addition of “source 2” has resulted in the most complete and documentary recording to date.

　And above all, Dylan’s joyful singing and playing throughout the four hours was wonderful. The unexpected song choices, such as the Traveling Wilburys’ “Congratulations” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” which made this gig legendary, were performed spontaneously and without rehearsal, and I am still amazed by this.

　As Dylan continued to sing as his heart pleased, the band, led by G.E. Smith, provided perfect support. It was this seamless support that allowed the performance to continue without a single dull moment, despite the grueling four-hour duration. Thus, this legendary open rehearsal gig is finally complete as the definitive edition, with the best sound quality and the longest recording ever. A full four hours! But it feels like four hours has flown by!

Disc-1 (set 1) (54:29)
1. Walk A Mile In My Shoes
2. One More Cup Of Coffee
3. Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35
4. Trouble No More
5. I’ve Been All Around This World
6. Political World
7. Where Teardrops Fall
8. Tears Of Rage
9. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine
10 It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
11 Everybody’s Movin’

Disc-2 (set 2) (39:49)
1. Watching The River Flow
2. What Was It You Wanted
3. Oh Baby It Ain’t No Lie
4. Lenny Bruce
5. I Believe In You
6. Man Of Peace
7. Across The Borderline
8. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
9. All Along The Watchtower

Disc-3 (set 3) (74:32)
1. Tight Connection To My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love)
2. Political World
3. What Good Am I?
4. Wiggle Wiggle
5. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
6. Pay The Price
7. Help Me Make It Through The Night
8. Man In The Long Black Coat
9. Congratulations
10. Dancing In The Dark
11. Lonesome Whistle Blues
12. Confidential
13. In The Garden
14. Everything Is Broken

(set 4)
15. So Long, Good Luck And Goodbye
16. Where Teardrops Fall

Disc-4 (set 4) (72:55)
1. Political World
2. Pretty Peggy-O
3. I’ll Remember You
4. Key To The Highway
5. Joey
6. Lay Lady Lay
7. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
8. When Did You Leave Heaven?
9. Maggie’s Farm
10. I’ve Been All Around This World
11. In The Pines
12. Highway 61 Revisited
13. Precious Memories
14. Like A Rolling Stone

Bob Dylan – vocals & guitar;
GE Smith – guitar & backing vocals;
Tony Garnier – bass;
Christopher Parker – drums