Chasing A Shadow (Social Graces 003/004)
Disc 1 (71:55): 1. Intro 2. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat 3. SENOR (Tales of Yankee Power) 4. Tangled Up In Blue 5. Rollin’ And Tumblin’ 6. Spirit On The Water 7. High Water (For Charley Patton) 8. ‘Til I Fell In Love With You 9. Po’ Boy 10. Highway 61 Revisited 11. Ballad Of A Thin Man 12. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
Disc 2 (36:02): 1. Nettie Moore 2. Thunder On The Mountain 3. Like A Rolling Stone 4. Jolene 5. All Along The Watchtower 6. Band Introductions 7. Blowin’ In The Wind
The relatively new Social Graces label has released the above stereo soundboard recording of this popular and well-received Dylan title which, according to the recent gsparaco review of its Rattlesnake label counterpart, [RS 237/238] “Coming Down High Street To Rothbury Field” on CMR: “The soundboard is very clear and musically well balanced but the crowd sounds are distant. It first surfaced on the Social Graces label but Rattlesnake managed to improve the sound quality, giving it a much more lively feel than ‘Chasing A Shadow’.” Rattlesnake also included 6 bonus tracks from the 4-25-09 London show to fill out the short 2nd disc. Festival Records released ‘Rothbury Night’ [SG 5709] which was just reviewed by Stuart on CMR of the same show and the always pleasing Crystal Cat Records label will/have put their mark on their version as well.
The July 5th 2009 Rothbury show, regardless, of the above varied “menu” choices is a fine overall Dylan performance that is recommended and worth obtaining. I took a liking in particular to the extended 8:08 minute version of “Nettie Moore”. I would feel inclined, however, to opt for RS 237/238 without having heard this version as it sounds like it packs more of a punch and does include the 6 bonus tracks. I sort of get this empty feeling when I play a disc with less than 40 minutes on it especially if it represents a recording of a live show. The word on the Crystal Cat label version is to be determined but will most probably be a toss up when compared with RS 237/238.
