Bob Dylan: 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration

I'm a big Dylan fan but 90% of the performances in this are dire and embarrassing.

Bob Dylan: 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration (1993)

**** (out of 4)

Was there really another artist other than Bob Dylan to receive such a tremendous tribute? There have been countless tributes over the years but I honestly can't think of a bigger one that happened before or after this one. I mean, pretty much everyone who was somebody are on hand here and the performances are just riveting.

There are countless great performances scattered throughout the nearly three hour running time but some of the highlights include: John Mellencamp (Like a Rolling Stone), Stevie Wonder (Blowin' in the Wind), Lou Reed (Fool of Pride), Tracy Chapman (The Times They Are a Changin'), Johnny Cash (It Ain't Me Babe), Kris Kristofferson (I'll Be Your Baby Tonight), Richie Havens (Just Like a Woman), When the Ship Comes In (The Clancy Brothers), Eric Clapton (Don't Think Twice, It's All Right), Neil Young (Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, All Along the Watertower), The O'Jays (Emotionally Yours), George Harrison (Absolutely Sweet Marie), The Band (When I Paint My Masterpiece), Tom Petty (License to Kill, Rainy Day Woman, Mr. Tambourine Man) and then Dylan performs on It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding), My Back Pages, Knockin' on Heaven's Door and Girl from the North Country.

If you're a fan of any of these artists then you'll be thrilled to have such strong performances. Often times these tributes get famous people who just aren't comfortable with the songs they're performing but that's not the case here. The entire concert has an atmosphere where you know a legend is being paid tribute to and everyone knows all the legends in the building so everyone brings their A game. This concert also features the now infamous moment of Sinead O'Connor being booed off the stage, which is too bad because her rehearsal version of "I Believe in You" is among the best tracks out there.

WOW, I can't believe it has been over 30 Years since I first saw this Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary concert in 1992/1993, then of course bought the double-CD soon after! This is one of the most enjoyable All-Star Classic Rocker concert's I have every seen! First broadcast on HBO then PBS and later issued on VHS, CD, and DVD. This late 1992 concert was also the beginning of a Bob Dylan 'resurgence' prior to this for much of the 1980's it seemed Dylan had been caught in a slight creative 'slump' but soon after, by the mid-1990's Dylan would be back in True-form (especially with multi-Grammy winning 'Time-Out- of-Mind' in 1997 and the great "Love and Theft' released soon after!

But this 1992 concert was an exhuberant Celebration, and amazing opportunity for all those stellar Poet/Rockers that had been positively influenced by Bob Dylan throughout the Decades (amazing creative artists who seemed too numerous to count) = All artists producing fantastic synergy generating an Awesome show full of imaginative and inspired 'covers' of many of Dylan's best Songs, often adding exhilarating dimensions to the already superlative songs!

There really are too many Great performances to mention individually but I will try:

Chrissie Hynde's rendition of 'I Shall be Released' elevated this song to one of the most powerful and moving ever written (and G. E. Smith's guitar work was rhythmically-profound); Stevie Wonder's 'Blowin' in the Wind' (in many ways this song is much more resonant when done in Wonder's R&B/Soul style which felt like a flawlessly universal anthem of empathy); Johnny Winter's 'Highway 61' = I couldn't understand the Words, but who cares it was deliriously electrifying (could almost see literal sparks flying from the fret bars); Ron Wood's 'Seven Days' - Wood took what seemed to be a mediocre song on paper and made it an instant Rock Classic!

Nanci Grifiths' 'Boots of Spanish Leather' was incredibly poetic & deeply poignant, it's a shame that Griffith's performance was cut-out of earlier truncated Videos and not on the original CD (this ineffably-beautiful song being a vital and authentic reflection of Dylan's original Folk roots!);

And the Last two performances are way beyond awe inspiring = 'My Back Pages' (with full Lyrics!). Eric Clapton's (and even Neil Young's) guitar solos are some of the Best most rhythmic ever (how does Clapton always work genuine mystic-magic!) and nearly everyone gets a turn at singing the prophetic dream-like lyrics. Finally, 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' this is as close as you will ever come to authentically 'Spiritual' Rock!

Note: I did actually see Dylan in 1998 when he played a relatively small concert at Andrew's Amphitheater, on the grounds of the University of Hawaii (Dylan was in Top-form again, by that Time!).

This is a horrible concert. Sinaid O'Connoer ruins it and there are even some artists who I have know idea who they are.

And Dylan's voice was already going at this time.

Therea re maybe three or four good renditions . but most of these clowns have no idea what the songs are -- you can see them reading the freaking cue cards! Where's Bruce Springsteen?

I love this concert so much! And I was only 6 years old when I watched it on Television. What a great collection of amazing music legends... Tom Petty did an outstanding job on this, "License to Kill" is probably by favorite performance on here. Not to mention "It Ain't Me Babe" performed by June Carter and Johnny Cash is some pretty amazing stuff. Every performer brings something unique to the stage. Truly a concert that is all about the music and not about the light and appearance. This is one of those concert I wish I could have gone to. I can watch this over and over and never get tired of it! A must see for Bob Dylan and old music lovers! Check it out!