Bob Dylan - Hurricane (Live on PBS, 1975) [RARE ORIGINAL AUDIO]
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Published 2021-01-07
He played two songs after this one: "Oh, Sister" (watch it here: • Bob Dylan - Oh, Sister (Live on PBS, ... ) and "Simple Twist of Fate" (watch it here: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1613108042330095). It's a shame that Dylan's channel doesn't upload good quality versions of this entire concert.
In my opinion, this is the definitive live version of Hurricane; It's so good that I've found myself watching this performance over and over again, and I have "music ADHD" (the habit of skipping songs I've heard after the first verse). I edited this video together using three sources: 1. An original, complete VHS tape is used in the beginning as the host and John Hammond introduce Dylan, 2. A higher-quality transfer I obtained from a bootleg DVD is used for the footage of Dylan's actual performance, and 3. A soundboard audiotape is overdubbed to footage.
This was recorded for the PBS special, "The World of John Hammond", which celebrated the influence and success of legendary talent scout and producer John Hammond; he can be seen at 2:18 grooving along to Dylan's performance. Taping took place at WTTW-TV Studios in Chicago on September 10, 1975, and also included "Hurricane" and "Simple Twist of Fate". This recording was subsequently broadcast that December, and then once more the following year.
Legends such as Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson were also featured on this show. Whereas they accepted PBS's invitation months in advance, Dylan confirmed just two days prior, as is typical! He recruited some of the musicians who played on his recently completed album, "Desire": Scarlet Rivera (violin), Howie Wyeth (drums), and Rob Stoner (Bass & Backup vocals). This band eventually became the core of Dylan's set on the Rolling Thunder Revue tour, which would start touring the next month. So, one could argue that this is the earliest live performance of the Rolling Thunder Revue. The raw, whispy sound that this four-piece band makes is really incredible, so I wish we had more recordings like this.
Interestingly, when Dylan recruited these musicians, he only told them that they were doing a gig in Chicago, mentioning nothing about being broadcasted on a major television station with Columbia executives in the audience, and not to mention John Hammond himself. Here is a fascinating anecdote from Rivera:
"Bob asked me and the trio of Rob and Howie to join him in Chicago for the tribute to John Hammond Sr, who changed the course of music by his vision and courage to sign many greats, including Bob Dylan, to CBS. This was another First. I had never performed on live TV and now it was going to be in front of every senior executive of CBS and a viewing audience of millions! I am amazed still that Bob had confidence in me to pull this extremely important concert off without failing on live TV, especially as this show was before a single live concert to support Desire. I would also perform "A Simple Twist of Fate" with him, and I had only rehearsed it that afternoon once backstage. Appreciating the song and playing it live with the man himself are two very different things! I was incredibly tense and taut, but I indeed pulled it off, and it is my all-time favorite video of playing live with him."
Love & Peace,
~SP
All Comments (21)
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The fact that Dylan chose this 8 minute song to perform live on a major PBS special - one of the most searing and unfiltered indictments of the racist penal justice system in the United States by a "popular" artist - is a testament to the man's courage and convictions.
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Some of the verses in this song give me the cold shivers. Dylan is a genius.
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The absolute genius to use Scarlet's violin as the lead instrument! Amazing Album!!
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Absolute masterpiece. From Bob to Scarlet to bass and drums to the sound engineers. It does not get any better than this
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No one can sing a story like Bob.
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A true artist in every sense of the word. Such a timeless song, relevent to this day.
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My dad used to listen to Bob Dylan. On weekends my Dad would play Bob Dylan on the huge console stereo that was nested in the corner of our living groom. I would lay down in front of the speakers and sing along with words my 5 year old self thought Bob was singing. (Come lay across my bumble glass bread)🫤 As an adult I’m thrilled to have stumbled upon Dylan again. I’m obsessed.
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One of Dylan's best songs.. complex, thoughtful, intellectual, interesting, great beat, melody. It's 2022 and we do not see any musicians able to write a complex, complete 9 minute song that is so innovative and thought provoking.. America- start educating your youth !!!!!!
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This song blows me away every time. I never get tired of it after all these years. Much Respect!
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I can imagine this song is extremely difficult to sing let alone remember each line and then phrase it perfectly..unique and genius
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The instrumental is a masterpiece on its own. Paired with Bobs’ lyrics and voice.. There’ll never be anything like it again. Such a good performance. 10/10. Genius.
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This was my 84 year old grandmothers favorite song. We played it at her funeral this morning
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how come he brings out the best in situations when others would crumble? he’s fearless
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Bravo he's on his game here ... He's 35 years old here in the prime of his life and he's spot on just like we'd expect him to be ... Another gem ....
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There are no words to describe this song and performance but absolutely brilliant....lifelong fan of Bob Dylan and his music and lyrics.
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absolutely legendary performance
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they sure don't make them like they used to...this song is a masterpiece...this live version never heard before but Dylans phrasing is top notch!!
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I’m in my 70s and BOB, bless him, takes me back to the good old days. So grateful to have lived in those times. A life saver in these disturbing times. Love you BOB.❤️
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Alweer "a timeless masterpiece". Alweer een sublieme Bob Dylan compositie... die door diverse anderen mooi & knap werden gezongen....met vaak een rijker en mooiklinkend arrangement... B D is een verdiende Nobelprijswinnaar van Literatuur... veel van zijn songs zijn gebalde romans... ongelooflijk knap... met hele knappe vondsten erin! Te bewonderen! Blij dat ik kan genieten van het "uitzonderlijk knappe" in heel wat Dylan songs... Knappe performance
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This is one of my absolute favourite Bob Dylan performances. Great song, great lyrics, great band, great arrangement, great Bob!
