Bob Dylan’s live streaming event is going on right now.
“Shadow Kingdom” is pre-taped, at veeps.com. Filmed in gorgeous black and white, the video vignettes include “Watching the River Flow,” When I Paint My Masterpiece,” “Forever Young,” “Wicked Messenger,” “Tombstone Blues,” It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” “Most Likely You Go Your Way,” “Queen Jane,” “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” “Tom Thumb’s Blues,” and other Dylan classics.
He also included “What Was It You Wanted,” from a later album, 1989’s “Oh Mercy.” It’s a very supple version and beautifully accessible. It might be my highlight of this little show. (It was last heard, once, in 1995.)
Dylan hasn’t played “Forever Young” in a concert since 2011. It’s maybe his most covered song, probably one of his most valuable copyrights. He’s not stupid. More generations will record it now.
(The 13 songs are so beautifully re-arranged that even Shazam doesn’t know what they are!)
The director is Alma Ha’rel, who directed Shia LaBeouf’s “Honey Boy” feature and many music videos and commercials. Cinematography from Lol Crawley, but no one is LOL. Beautiful work. The black and white is sumptuous.
Bob is in unusually good voice, and the music production is sensational and rich. I would guess “Shadow Kingdom” will be released as an album and a DVD at some point. In the meantime, it’s on veeps.com for 25 bucks today and tomorrow. I was happy to pay for it.
The show is billed as “The Early Songs of Bob Dylan,” which would indicate there will be more one hour specials like this, for the same price.
PS Since I’m writing this on the fly, Dylan fans who also enjoyed recent Legacy release with George Harrison will adore the 50th anniversary mix of “All Things Must Pass.” Their song, “If Not For You” sounds fresher and more alive than ever.
SET LIST
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine
Queen Jane Approximately
I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
Tombstone Blues
To Be Alone With You
What Was It You Wanted
Forever Young
Pledging My Time
The Wicked Messenger
Watching the River Flow
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
