During the show Dylan kept looking at him and not surprisingly he began to feel rather uncomfortable. Just as Winston was wondering ‘what have I gotten into here’, Dylan approached him saying, ‘you played great, see you tomorrow night’. It was the start of a five year trip through the working world of Bob Dylan.
Suddenly Winston was meeting and playing with the likes of George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, and rather significantly for the latter part of the story Van Morrison.
After this sudden elevation Winston was back at home when the phone rang. On the other end was someone who he was convinced was pretending to be Bob asking him to join him the following January. Instead it turned out to be the genuine article and Winston was soon packing his bags and setting out once again.
As Bob hardly ever told him how he wanted him to play, Winston survived largely on his instincts. He grew to recognize the signs of sudden ‘in song’ key and timing changes and began to enjoy being literally on the edge of the hottest seat in town.
Some of the stories give a colourful insight into the complex character and world of Bob Dylan. He reveals how Bob had no problems with ego when having to go through customs in Israel in 1993 unlike another ‘big name’ star. He adds during the interview that assuming anything with Bob Dylan was always ‘a big mistake’.
He tells of how Bob picked up on Winston’s slight dip in form after a show in San Diego. Also of how he was stung and hurt by a misquote in a newspaper that had Winston saying "Dylan doesn’t talk to me", when that was, in fact, far from the truth. Clearly they communicated well and Winston touchingly adds that when Bob smiles, "it is like a small hole in the clouds has opened up and the sun comes down".
Despite his obvious respect for Dylan as man and musician, he still talks candidly and openly about the times he spent with him. He describes the experience as being in the ‘presence of greatness’ and for us mere fans his diaries reveal many sides and signs of that very genius. This helps to make this DVD one of the better tour diary releases of its kind.
Article comments
1 - super dave
the never ending tour started in 1988.
2 - Mike
Nice article, and I have yet to see the film, but now plan to go get it as soon as possible.
One mistake. The NET started in California in 1988...not 1992.
3 - Jeff
Sorry, thanks for pointing that out - and of course for reading the review. Both very much appreciated. Jeff