Post Description

The latest study in Dylanology, Rolling Thunder and the Gospel Years, is a sometimes rambling, but mostly engaging, 4-hour magnum opus about the world of Bob Dylan. This is a solid look at Dylan's work and influences. While it is a little rough around the edges, this is actually the kind of programming MTV and VH1 should pursue instead of their embarrassingly awful stabs at reality TV that do nothing more than make a lot of former icons look foolish.

The documentary is strengthened by participation from such Dylanites as Scarlet Rivera, Claudia Levy, Jerry Wexler, A.J. Weberman, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Rob Stoner (who, irritatingly, sits indoors and never, ever takes off his Ray-bans while being interviewed for this documentary). Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue was a traveling musical carnival that Stoner describes as something "wilder and more off the cuff" than previous Dylan tours. The shows featured Dylan in white face paint, which Dylan said was to force people to listen to his words rather than spend time looking at his face. 

The documentary also features some good stories about Dylan's Clinton Prison performance. (Yes, people actually tried to break into the prison to see Bob perform!) As the fates would have it, "Hurricane" Carter was moved from a prison in Trenton, NJ, to the all-female Clinton complex because of all the publicity his stay in the Trenton "hellhole" was generating.

Overall, this is an immersive presentation, not a lot of background information is given to set up the various interviewees or subjects for the uninitiated. Dylan's fans will do fine and fill in the blanks on their own, but the uninitiated will no doubt fidget often during the DVD's 4-hour sprint.

Rolling Thunder and the Gospel Years definitely paints a picture of Dylan, the man and the enigma, without Dylan's own participation. 

Tracklising:
1.    Concert video clips 1975 - 1981
2.    KDKA TV interview unearthed
3.    World of John Hammond clips
4.    Rundown studios revealed
5.    Muscle shoals studio visit
6.    Revealing insider interviews

Bonus Features:
1.    Journey to Hibbing
2.    Ramblin' Jack's early days
3.    Photo gallery 1975 - 1981

Extra informatie:
Formaat: ISO/MDS
Beeldformaat: 1.33:1
Geluidspoor: DD2.0
Ondertitels: Geen
DVD Release Datum: 4 april 2006
Speelduur: 240 minuten
Cover: Hoesje en disc label zitten in de RARs verwerkt.