His stories are well told, amusingly and modestly recounted leaving you wishing you could spend time with him listening to more of these memories. One of the highlights for him was playing the totally unrehearsed “Leopard-Skin-Pill-Box Hat” with Bob and guest Neil Young. Another has Dylan telling Winston "you make me feel confident out there".
There are many more engaging stories included. Watch out for a problem of identification when playing with Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young which left Winston literally out in the street. Also there are behind the scene memories of the MTV Unplugged recordings and how the songs were chosen.
He tells us of how Dylan constantly rewrites lyrics and never used a teleprompter instead preferring to carry three huge volumes of his own work around with him. Also of how his set lists are often left blowing in the winds of constant change.
Unfortunately, like all things it was destined to come to an end. It all began to fall apart following a fateful meeting with Van Morrison. It’s a story that understandably angers the amiable drummer even to this day. Sadly, Winston’s marriage also buckled under the pressure of the constant touring.
When his time with Dylan ended Winston wrote a letter of thanks to the man himself whose observations on receiving the note are more than enlightening.
Winston has subsequently played with Alice Cooper on his 1998 tour and also appeared behind the late Warren Zevon.
The interview is conducted by Joel Gilbert, of the Highway 61 Revisited cover band, who clearly has a million questions to ask on our behalf. Winston provides some excellent answers making the DVD a worthwhile addition to people wishing to gain a further insight into the mind of arguably the most important musician of a generation.
This 100 minute film tells the story of an unknown drummer who was plucked from obscurity to become part of the extraordinary travelling world of Bob Dylan. It is a story very well told indeed.
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