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I don't know when this list was compiled, but 'Before the Flood' is not Dylan's best live album, merely second best. The best is undoubtedly Live 1966 (Bootleg series vol 4) recorded, again with The Band, at the Manchester Free Trade Hall, UK. This was Dylan at the height of his mercurial early career, touring on the back of a string of brilliant albums culminating in Blonde on Blonde, and still upsetting fans more than a year after first appearing with an amplified band. This is the concert where an upset audience member yells 'Judas!' and Dylan responds with 'You're a liar!' before telling the Band to 'play f*ckin loud!' as they launch into an all-out version of 'Like a Rolling Stone'. Nothing Dylan ever did in concert afterwards was, or could be, as good as this.
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John Kelman wrote on May 22, 2009 reportHi Paul,
Thanks for writing. You can see, at the bottom of the piece (and top) - albeit in smaller print - that it was published in September, 2004.
Of course opinions differ anyway, and one man's best is another man's worst (well, in this case that's something of an extreme); I'll agree that the Bootleg Series 4 *is* a terrific set, but lists like this are always subjective, and no doubt Before the Flood has special significance for the writer.
But that's why we have comments - so that folks like yourself can weigh in with your own opinions and turn an article into the seed for discussion.
Thanks again!
John Kelman,
Managing Editor. -
C. Michael Bailey wrote on April 20, 2012 reportWell, it takes the death of Levon Helm to bring me back out here to read Paul Kemp's passionate appeal for the Albert Hall Concert three years after the fact. His disagreement and point of view are what make the music of this period so great. These pieces were among my early writing for All About Jazz. While I continue to stand by my ranking of these recordings, I am far from believing my opinion definitive. I love music, I love talking about music, writing about it and arguing about...how great is that?
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Ángel González wrote on April 21, 2012 report
The way he sings "Don't Think Twice..." in this album is one of the best versions of the song. I also think Before the Flood is a great album and a bit underrated. I think this album is full of energy of sound and fury.
Best wishes
