BOB DYLAN – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN 1978 1ST NIGHT (2CD)

　First of all, since this performance took place after the release of his new album, “Street League,” the setlist features “Is Your Love in Vain?” from the album early on, along with the classic “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.” Even the first half of the show offers a different feel from the June performance. Furthermore, the September release includes new songs written by Dylan since the recording of “Street League.” Among these, the blues number “Am I Your Stepchild?” has continued to be performed regularly, yet it has become familiar to enthusiasts as a live-only, unreleased track that never made it into a studio recording or release.

　However, this day also saw the unveiling of another new song, “Love You Too Much,” a rare sight. In fact, the song’s officially released version was by Greg Lake of Eleven & Piano. Lake, along with Dylan and his ’78 tour member, chorus member Helena Springs, is also credited as a composer. Lake originally received the unfinished version of “Love You Too Much” when he met Dylan on his 1978 European tour, and Lake added lyrics to complete it, eventually appearing on his eponymous first solo album in 1981.

　However, Dylan himself completed the song in 1978 at the start of his US tour in September and performed it on stage. It only took two attempts, but the second and final attempt came on the first day of the MSG concert. While the lyrics are quite different, given that Lake and Dylan each wrote the song, they both shared a common goal of creating a hard-hitting atmosphere. While Lake’s version, aided by early ’80s synthesizers and Gary Moore’s guitar, is a pop-infused hard rock, Dylan’s original version is a rugged, intense song, with Ian Wallace’s bold rhythms and hard-hitting riffs. The performance was so polished that it’s a shame it only lasted two performances.

　This recording of a rare, unreleased track is sure to attract the attention of fans worldwide, but the sound quality is also impressive. While it’s a mono recording and doesn’t reach the unrivaled quality of the Mike Millard recording, it’s still a fantastic audience recording boasting an incredibly clear sound image and exceptional clarity. Plus, you’ll even get to hear some incredibly rare, unreleased tracks. The final bonus track is a first-time performance of “Love You Too Much” and a collection of songs not performed at MSG. Each track is of high quality, worthy of being released on a limited press CD. Enjoy this rare recording from the ’78 tour, different from the June live performance and recordings!

★It even features a performance of Greg Lake & Gary Moore’s “Love You Too Much.” ★

Originally released in October 2014, this long-sold-out classic is now back in stock in limited quantities from overseas! Don’t miss this opportunity!

Disc 1(71:33)
1. My Back Pages
2. I’m Ready
3. Is Your Love In Vain?
4. Shelter From The Storm
5. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
6. Tangled Up In Blue
7. Ballad Of A Thin Man
8. Maggie’s Farm
9. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
10. Like A Rolling Stone
11. I Shall Be Released
12. Love You Too Much
13. Going, Going, Gone
14. One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)
15. It Ain’t Me, Babe

Disc 2(73:25)
1. Am I Your Stepchild?
2. One More Cup Of Coffee (Valley Below)
3. Blowin’ In The Wind
4. I Want You
5. Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power)
6. Masters Of War
7. Just Like A Woman
8. Baby Stop Crying
9. All Along The Watchtower
10. All I Really Want To Do
11. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
12. Forever Young
13. Changing Of The Guards

Bonus Tracks
14. Love You Too Much (First Live Performance)
(Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, NY. 24th September 1978)

15. True Love Tends To Forget
(Civic Center, Springfield, MA. 26th September 1978)

Bob Dylan (vocal, harmonica & guitar)
Billy Cross (lead guitar)
Alan Pasqua (keyboards)
Steven Soles (rhythm guitar, backup vocals)
David Mansfield (violin & mandolin)
Steve Douglas (horns)
Jerry Scheff (bass)
Bobbye Hall (percussion)
Ian Wallace (drums)
Helena Springs, Jo Ann Harris, Carolyn Dennis (background vocals)