The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964, Concert At Philharmonic Hall (live album) by Bob Dylan

Dylan's Halloween parade sees Bob at the top of his early game. Dylan sounds confident, and maybe a little stoned too, as he reels off one classic after another. This was originally meant to be released as a live album during the early part of his career, but was obviously later shelved. But here it is, finally, a brilliant concert. The polite applause is certainly something you wouldn't get these days, so it really is a product of it's time. Dylan's pre-electric peak.

From Mercury 09/28/2013 20:42

This is a 2 disc live recording of a performance from Halloween 1964. This is the greatest live album or document I have heard from the folk years of Dylan... by far. It captures Dylan at his most relaxed, insouciant best. The back and forth between the crowd and him just makes this whole album, as an album, so special and soothing and cool. Just imagine going and seeing Dylan live in this important and transitory phase of his career when he was already a hero at the top of his game yet at the same time was working on stretching the boundaries of songwriting, that is what this is.

You can hear that while Dylan still performed his earlier songs well and professionally, most of his intention and intensity was really coming through on his brand new material. His renditions of "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)", "Gates of Eden" and others (the material that was to be released a few months later on "Bringing It All Back Home") sound so different than his earlier songs. I imagine the people in the crowd hearing these songs were just blown out of there heads! The songwriting here still sounds absolutely towering and unmatched to this day!

A brilliant album! Even the unwelcome appearence of the annoying Joan Baez in the final tracks can't stop this from being a must-listen for anyone interested in the greatness of early Dylan.

Grade: 91/100