Both make great companion pieces to this film, but neither top it for uniquely capturing a specific moment in history. The still young Dylan is shown here to be what some view as an arrogant prick. What I've always preferred to think it shows is an artist just begining to realize who, or more importantly what, he actually may really be, and doing his best to come to terms with it.
Some of these moments reveal unique things about Dylan the artist. Here, he seems most comfortable in his own skin, seated at an old fashioned typewriter in a hotel room surrounded by friends and confidants like Joan Baez.
Other moments are genuinely humorous. Such as when the Animals obviously gushing Alan Price still manages to tell Dylan that his so-called British counterpart Donovan is a better guitar player (Dylan's reaction is equally priceless). For those interested in learning how the rock music business could actually be successfully run by what most believe to be hippies and beatniks during it's golden age, the backroom dealings of Dylan's infamous manager Albert Grossman are essential viewing.
Among the more telling of the other extras you'll find in this deluxe edition is the "alternate take" of the Subterranean Homesick Blues film — which is arguably the very first true rock video. We all know the world famous scenes of Dylan flipping cards in a back-alley sort of setting. The alternate version follows much the same script, but is shot in a park. As Dylan flips through the cards displaying those unforgettable lyrics, Allen Ginsburg completely changes his clothes in the background. Which in my opinion, for whatever reason, I find to be just priceless.
Even if you've already seen the original version of this landmark film, extras such as these alone warrant a second look. As for any serious student of history — be it rock, cultural, or otherwise — my only question is what are you waiting for?
Don't Look Back - 65 Tour Deluxe Edition is nothing less than an essential purchase for any serious Dylanologist, Rockologist — hell, any "ologist" period. It comes out next week.
Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
I wonder if Dylan ever watches these DVDs, and if he does, what does he think of them? - which would be a DVD in itself.
2 - Glen Boyd
Thanx Mr. Mosquito. Detached as Mr. Z often seems, I simply cannot fathom that large of an ego resisting for even one mimute an opportunity to see his own image on screen, so I bet you even money that he does watch his own videos.
Thanx for the comment and I look ever so forward to commenting on your own soon to be seen and read articles here at the mighty BC.
-Glen
3 - Mary Strawberry
Do you know Bob Dylan? If not how would you know how big his ego is. By todays standards I think he was pretty mellow, seems like a nice enough guy to me. Joan Baez is still like a woman scorned and if he latched on to some to further his career who are we to judge many have latched on to his fame in the past.
Just enjoy the man for the genius he is. Are the political issues any different today? I think not. Resurrect each and every "protest" song and start something happening now.
Or just ignore Bob Dylan.
Me, I love Bob Dylan and I should hope he watched the tape. We take pictures of ourselves and look at them and we are mere mortals he is a prophet in my eyes.