Dylan & the Dead

The '80s were a difficult period for veteran musicians. While their catalogs continued to sell well, thanks in part to classic rock radio, their aesthetics were skewered by an era that introduced digital recording technology before musicians and engineers fully understood how to capture sound effectively. Modern groups embraced the new methods in their own ways, while someone like Bob Dylan suffered with a sound much thinner than in the past. Attaining great sound in arenas was another battle. So it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone when the sound here is less effective than we're used to hearing from both acts. But fact is, the performances are very good. "I Want You" has an easy gait and complementary lead guitar lines from Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir. "Gotta Serve Somebody" cranks up a cool shuffle. "Queen Jane Approximately" is so relaxed it plays with a whiff of island breeze. The concert staples "All Along the Watchtower" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" trade licks and vocals between the two iconic '60s acts.