Bob Dylan - The Other Side Of The Mirror - Live At The Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965 [2007]

Customer Reviews:

Joan Baez is the problem.......2007-12-03

Unfortunately, too many of Dylan's Newport appearances were ruined by the omnipresent caterwauling of Joan Baez. This DVD sets those teeth-grinding moments in stone.

A little jewel....................2007-11-18

After D.A. Pennebaker's 'Don't Look Back' and Scorsese's 'No Direction
Home' another little jewel is given to the fans of Dylan...
Thanks to Murray Lerner. I really like this dvd.

Superb.......2007-11-06

This documentary is fascinating look at Bob Dylan's performances At the Newport Folk festivals of `63, '64 and '65.You can really see how he developedduring this three year period.
In '63, he is this fresh-faced kid singing songs of rich lyrics and imagery all smiley and enjoying the whole groove with Joan Baez.
In 1965, he now has this air of supreme control as he takes on the folkies with an electric backing band. The development is amazing. Some of the folkies boo his performance but it is clear Dylan is now on a plain of his own and beyond them and is already a unique performer and huge star.
Recommended.

Master at work!.......2007-10-31

There is no doubt about it...Bob is the king of serious song-writing. The DVD paints a picture of a time long gone. A time where words were important...a time where social statements were at its peak, and nobody did or does it better than Uncle Bob!

"Does anyone have an E Harmonica?".......2007-10-30

At work yesterday, a colleague said that Bob Dylan had nowhere near as much talent as Barry Manilow ("Barry wrote Coca Cabana himself and it's brilliant, what has Bob Dylan ever done?"). When I explained that he has one of the biggest quality back catalogues of songs ever, and that although she doesn't think she knows any of his songs - she will no doubt have heard them and probably enjoyed them - possibly sang by various artists. The point I was trying to make (I said) is that when Barry 'The Beaky Freak' Manilow drops off this mortal coil, he'll be known as the guy that entertained middle aged ladies . Whereas Dylan will be remembered as the Voice of a Generation who changed the way we think about music.

And that is exactly what this DVD demonstrates, we see Dylan taking part in the Newport Folk festival over a period of years and the audience hangs on every word. His songs are politically charged, lyrically poetic, and his style is evolving. His clothes change to reflect his image change from countryboy to arthouse thinker. This feature also shows the infamous 1965 'going electric' moment. Controversy surrounds the booing of Dylan - is it because he went electric? Or is it because the set was so short? You watch and decide - I love the moment where he is asked (practically begged) to come back on stage - and he does so, and then asks the audience if anyone has an "E harmonica" and to just throw them up on stage.

Speaking of agitated audiences, the DVD also shows the heckling for more Dylan, making the man himself step back onstage to awkwardly say that there are others to perform. Dylan is becoming a prophet to some, and they want more and more of him. Dylan is obviously getting uncomfortable with his star-status, and some folk fans are now dismissing him 'not needed' due to his becoming bigger than the event.

This DVD isn't simply a rehash of what has already been seen before, it is new and raw - but has been treated to sound superb. Appearances from other singers, in particular Joan Baez (her impression of Bob is magic) ensure that this is a DVD is one to sit back to with the lights down and enjoy. After watching the early Bob Dylan you'll be wanting to get your CDs out and maybe even fancy yourself as a budding revolutionary cultural figure.

A lot of the footage in this docu-film had not been seen before, and it is fantastic that it is now available for the world to enjoy. For non-folk, or non-Dylan fans then this will be a bland black and white series of musical numbers - but for those who enjoy folk and recognise the artistic talents of the great man Dylan, this is a chance to witness the song writing legend coming of age. You don't get any real insights to the man behind the music, but so much of him is in the songs that it doesn't matter, and the little moments of humour, and the cheeky smiles, give you a much wanted glimpse of the man rather than the musician. I would have liked some more bonus features, but the 5.1 sound and the main feature are well worth the money.

Average customer rating:

How to learn...

Learn To Play Steve Vai Volume 2
Lick Library
Manufacturer: Roadrock Music Int Ltd
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Eat 'em and Smile

ASIN: B000ASALP6
Release Date: 2006-07-24

Customer Reviews:

How to learn..........2007-01-24

The double set includes 4 songs, with good presentation of each phrase but the lack of tablatures is regrettable. One other point is that it is not always conform to the original tabs. There is no performance for Tender surrender, unfortunately although there is enough place on the second DVD ( 3,5 Gb DVD-5 ). So it would be better if the performance is added for each song, and if a booklet with the tablatures comes in with the DVD's. So it is too expensive...

Customer Reviews:

Cheap but interesting.......2006-10-27

Very cheaply made, but some interesting comments from rock critics. Clinton Heylin, Andrew Muir, Mick Gold et al talk about the background & the making of what is arguably Dylan's greatest album. There's also a decent variety of performance clips. Dylan's Simple Twist of Fate from the John Hammond TV show, and Idiot Wind from Dylan's Hard Rain TV special are especially memorable. This isn't in the same league as Martin Scorsese's documentary but a good account of a great album.

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