16 Comments

Peter Stone Brown was such an insightful and knowledgeable writer of all things Dylan. He was also a great human being. Thank you!

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Yes he sure was. Loved him dearly.

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Yowser PSB, thanks for this.

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You’re welcome 😎

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I remember watching this as it happened. I worked at a halfway house then, and encourage all the residents to come to the communal tv room to watch it with me. What a good memory.

Now, I have a question, and I don't mean to go out of bounds in asking - but how can I download this as audio to keep for myself for listening? Can you pass along instructions?

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never saw this performance before, thanks!

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It was a remarkable performance, one of his best on television where historically he'd been uncomfortable. The lyric changes were striking and it was unclear whether this was a criticism of Dr. King at an event celebrating him. That version had been rehearsed a number of times several months previously and there is no knowing what the motivation for the new lyrics could have been

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I remember when I first heard this about 15 years ago and thinking, is he really criticising King. But in reality I doubt it. Such a great track.

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It was not a Hollywood crowd. As you note, it was in Washington DC, attended by many locals--like me.

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You were there?!?!

Re: the Hollywood crowd remark. Normally when you see performances at the Kennedy Center you often see Hollywood types in the audience, which is what I was meaning, but nevermind, we can’t please all the people all the time and everyone can take from it as they wish

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Sure was. I was disappointed that his duet with Stevie Wonder on The Bells of Freedom Still Ring wasn’t broadcast. Dylan actually played passable electric fills.

Also, knowing his legal history in D.C. found it ironic to again hear Peter Yarrow singing Blowin’ in the Wind.

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https://youtu.be/yqs0AwOb6aU?si=4nT3A0Vw_hW2J9NX

It’s probably the best of the performances he made that day, but I can also guess why it didn’t make the cut. It’s quite fragile with a few flubs here and there.

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Oh yeah I forgot about that performance. It’s quite beautiful isn’t it. I’ll go dig it out this morning.

As to Yarrow yes indeed.

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Wonderful version. Thanks for posting it.

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💋🌹❤️

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Thank you Gail

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