Bob Dylan/Tokyo, Japan 2001

Bob Dylan's performance in Japan in 2001 was over ten years ago. Time passes quickly. It was a strange tour in that when they came to Japan at this time, there were only items that recorded live performances after the middle of the tour. The fact that there were extremely few releases regarding live performances in the Kanto area in the first half has been and continues to be a major dissatisfaction for enthusiasts. Even looking back on it now, it's really strange. We are finally introducing an item that will reduce the thirst of such enthusiasts. This time, we are recording the second day of the Tokyo performance on March 4th, which was undoubtedly the best of the live performances in the Kanto area in the first half. Moreover, the sound quality is recorded with an excellent audience recording without any complaints. The opening song "Duncan And Brady" has a sound pressure that makes it seem as if the sound coming from the venue was weak, but from then on, the overwhelming clarity and sound pressure will transport the listener back in time to 2001. Sound quality. Above all, the realism of the sounds played by the three guitar players will take your breath away. Yes, I thought it was obvious at the time, but Dylan was "playing the guitar" at this time. He seems to have become a singer and piano player now, but when you think of Dylan in 2001, he was all about playing lead guitar. After all, the way Dylan plays the guitar fits perfectly. Moreover, the balance in which the guitar sound including his playing is pushed out realistically is truly attractive. More than that, what chose this day for this release is the performance content of this day, which is no exaggeration to say that it is the most attractive set list in the history of Dylan's performance in Japan. “Song To Woody” from the first album is suddenly being played from the beginning of the live performance. Moreover, this is a rare performance as it is the only one performed in Japan to this day. This performance was the beginning of the day's gorgeous repertoire. Speaking of the song selection after that, this is the strongest set list in which the songs from the two great albums left by Dylan in the 60s, “HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED” and “BLONDE ON BLONDE”, are played abundantly. The former included "Desolation Row" and "Like A Rolling Stone," and the latter included "Absolutely Sweet Marie," "Visions Of Johanna," and "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat." I don't think anyone would be dissatisfied with the setlist, which included so many classics. Moreover, Dylan and the band's performance is in excellent condition, and the exquisite contrast between acoustic and electric will captivate your ears. This wonderful stage composition was also the charm of the 2001 tour. The set list, which is lined with famous songs from the 60's as mentioned above, is unthinkable from the current Dylan live performance. But not only that, there was a surprise called “Forever Young” in the encore, which was the only song on this tour. The performance was so moving that it would have been possible for the concert to end without even waiting for "Blowin' In The Wind," which was played at the end of every night's concert, but from there, the band continued to play their signature songs. The story concludes with another dazzling development. And this time, the bonus includes two rare numbers that were only played in the first half of the tour. These are also rare items released on CD for the first time. Nowadays, live performances are centered around songs from recent years, and it would be no exaggeration to say that this day's live was their best album live. Live at International Forum Hall A, Tokyo, Japan 4th March 2001 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Disc 1 (52:51) 1. Introduction 2. Duncan And Brady 3. Song To Woody 4. Desolation Row 5. Absolutely Sweet Marie 6. Can't Wait 7. Seeing The Real You At Last 8. Visions Of Johanna 9. John Brown 10. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright Disc 2 (69:14) 1. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With Memphis Blues Again 2. Cold Irons Bound 3. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat 4. Love Sick 5. Like A Rolling Stone 6. If Dogs Run Free 7. All Along The Watchtower 8. Forever Young 9. Highway 61 Revisited 10. Blowin' In The Wind Bonus tracks 11 . Tell Me That It Isn't True (Akita Prefectural Hall, Akita, Japan 28th February 2001) 12. Silvio (Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan 2nd March 2001) Bob Dylan - Vocal, Guitars, Harmonica Charlie Sexton - Guitar Larry Campbell - Guitars, Mandolin Tony Garnier - Bass David Kemper - Drums