What I really thought of the 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration — Bobfest '92

I thought the show was notable for what didn't happen. I mean here is one of the greatest backing bands in the world and fucking Dylan doesn't take advantage of them.

Cesar Diaz (Bob’s guitar tech) Bob Dylan, GE. Smith (bandleader)

I was at 30th Anniversary Concert and the concert actually started before the official pay-per-view started with John Mellencamp. Nanci Griffith & Carolyn Hester did "Boots of Spanish Leather" which is on the video release, but not the pay-per-view, and John Hammond also did "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean."  I really don't remember anyone else. 

The official video cut George Thorogood doing "Wanted Man," Sophie B. Hawkins doing "I Want You" (horrible) and Harrison doing If Not For You. The pay-per-view cut "Girl From the North Country." Bob sang just as badly in rehearsal as he did at the show, demonstrating a remarkable run of consistency.  He re-did his vocal on the official video (and the CD as well) for "My Back Pages" at least.  I will have to check to see if other's did as well, but you wouldn't necessarily know this if you didn't have both the pay-per-view and the official release. But during the song many others have mic problems, so it would not surprise to me. 

Dylan actually started his set with "Song To Woody," which to me was one of the best parts of the night 'cause here's this all-star cast paying tribute to him and he comes out and remembers Woody Guthrie.

I thought the show was notable for what didn't happen. I mean here is one of the greatest backing bands in the world and fucking Dylan doesn't take advantage of them. I wanted to see what Booker T & the MGs would do with Dylan songs and see them back Bob which didn't really happen.  When you have Steve Cropper, you don't need anyone else as far as I'm concerned. There was a lot wrong with that fucking show.  A million missed opportunities.  The Band coming out and sitting down! I thought that was lame. Bob not playing with them. This was at a point the reformed group really needed to be noticed and they didn't do themselves any favors by that bizarre set up. Also Bob not playing with Johnny Cash.  And even though I don't like them, Peter Paul & Mary should have been invited.  They gave him his first big hit!  What the fuck?  Where was Joan Baez? I could rant about that for hours. 

When I found out GE Smith was involved, I got annoyed.  And it was watching the 30th Anniversary show back on pay-per-view that totally turned me off on GE Smith. Here was Booker T & the fuckin' MG's, the creme de la creme of Memphis soul & GE Smith is mincing around wearing jogging shoes. No one despises GE Smith more than me.  He is the most obnoxious guitar player I think I've ever seen.  I was furious when he was added and of course he totally hogged the spotlight from the infinitely superior Steve Cropper.  As a technician he has one thing going for him and one thing only, speed.  As far as being completely tasteless he has few peers.  It never mattered what kind of song Dylan was playing, soft, loud, ballad, blues, country, he had the same exact tone on his guitar and played pretty much the same licks. GE Smith should be hung for a million reasons.  You can start with having the audacity to touch Duck Dunn's bass and then showing he doesn't know what to do on Watchtower.  What a putz that guy is.  Send him back to Allentown or something.  Chreeist.