"Escaping On The Run" is the title of the Moonlight Records bootleg
(Volumes 1 & 2 (2 CDs each) ML 9638-9641, 1996) of the two
Vredenburg, Utrecht shows (June 20-21, 1996). These are the
first released albums of the '96 shows. Also notable is Dylan's
introduction of Lambchop. (And, who
is Lambchop?)
Compiled: November 10, 1996
Had to run before so a few of the titles escaped vol 39.... "ESCAPING ON THE RUN" Volume 1 2CD (Moontunes-ML 9638/39) Vredenburg, Utrecht, Holland 20 June 1996 Tracks: 15 Time: 110+ entire show Source: Audience Quality: Very GoodWell, well. The first CD to arise and bust out of its clothes from the 1996 tour. Upon first listen I was a bit disappointed, however, subsequent listens have found the quality of the recording to be quite acceptable. Not up to the standards of the Blue Ribbon Audience '95'ers, mind you - A Million Faces, F*** the Playlist, Bob's Full House, others - but enjoyable nonetheless. The recording is quite clear, vocals crisp and distinct and the instruments and nuances are there. Not as close and upfront sounding as the ones mentioned above but, oddly enough, still a good recording IMO and the sound does not detract at all from the performance. We've all heard many '96 shows, eh, so no need to wax eloquent about Mr. Bob & Band's performance, at least on this gig. It's a good one-particularly (IMO) Shake Sugaree, Tonight I'll be Staying, Maggie's, Seven Days, Masterpiece, Mama & GirlFromTheNCountry. The rockers are also a treat as the band blitzes through a fine Silvio & AGetaway. Remaining tracks are Drifters/Watchtower/RiverFlow/MrTMan/JBrown/12&35. Not bad for a start, recommended but let's hope for some "blow away" quality shows on CD soon.
"ESCAPING ON THE RUN" Volume 2 2CD (Moontunes-ML 9640/41) Vredenburg, Utrecht, Holland 21 June 1996 Tracks: 15 Time: 110+ entire show Source: Audience Quality: Very GoodSee above volume 1 for quality characteristics, as the sound is quite similar on volume 2. IMO, a better performance on volume 2 and a more enjoyable set list, what with a scary LongBlackCoat, slow and biting Pos4thSt and strong, muscular version of Tom Thumb. Great acoustic set also w/GirlFromNC (they must like that in Holland), DRow and FriendofDevil. Bob's in fine voice, as usual, and the Band works the rockers into a frenzy. Thin Man/ She Belongs To Me & Seven Days also stand out, along with a beautiful and energetic MyBackPages that really gets the crowd going. Wonderful performance all around and an enjoyable listen. Remaining trax:Drifters/Watchtower/Silvio/Getaway/12&35. Highly recommended.
Tally from the Utrecht stand: 23 different songs played out of 30 total. If you're going to get only one of the above, I'd recommend volume 2. (One negative is the lack of bonus trax, being that there is room for at least 4-5 on each of the volumes. No excuse for not including them, IMO). Nice artwork and graphics on both sets w/ glossy color photos of Bob in pink silk (from these shows? What did he wear, Utrecht attendees?) adorning front, back and inserts. A decent start but let's hope for some "in your face" quality in those to come.
I'll give the "Genuine Bootleg Series" a go one of these days. The quality on the already circulating material on it is definitely an improvement, IMO. Some of the newly found trax are pretty incredible as far as quality goes. If you have any doubts about getting it, get it anyway.
Peace - Moe
* * * >Note on Shake Sugaree - at this point, "Escaping On The Run Vol 1" is >the only CD to include this. Of course, this and Vol 2 are the only >96's available to date.There should be a law invoked to force Sony to issue a 'legal' CD immediately with this song on it - and another law to ensure it's put on high rotation on all radio stations! 'For the good of the people', not that I want to get fascist about it, but...
Tricia J
* * *When folks get to hear Utrecht 21 June 1996 be sure to pay special attention to All Along the Watchtower. Bucky Baxter's playing during the song's ending reveals he has been watching way too many late night horror 'B' movies!
Ben Taylor
Anyone else have any comments on this?
Anyone have Vol. 1? What's it like?
Does anyone know why this CD costs more than others?
Bob Meyer
* * *I find "Escaping On The Run Volume 1" - Vredenburg,Utrecht 6/20/96 on Moonlight Records - ML 9638/39 more enjoyable than Volume 2. It was hard to get this one out of the CD player to listen to Volume 2. Both 2CDs are excellent quality audience recordings. Volume 1 contains the first Bob "Shake Sugaree" to make it to CD. These are the first 96 shows to make it to CD. See Deep Beneath the Waves 40 for a review of these CDs. As you can see from the track listings there is the overlap of song titles between shows ( "!" indicates the song is unique to this 2 day run).
Volume 1: Drifter's Escape !Shake Sugaree All Along The Watchtower !Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You !Watching The River Flow Silvio !Mr. Tambourine Man !John Brown !Mama, You Been On My Mind !Maggie's Farm !When I Paint My Masterpiece Seven Days Alabama Getaway !Girl From The North Country Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 35 Volume 2: Drifter's Escape !Man In The Long Black Coat All Along The Watchtower !Positively 4th Street !Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues Silvio !Boots Of Spanish Leather !Desolation Row !Friend Of The Devil !Ballad Of A Thin Man !She Belongs To Me Seven Days Alabama Getaway !My Back Pages Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 35 EDLIS Boot Advisory Agent
Not much discussion of Bob's Utrecht album?
Is the Lambchop dialogue on it? Clear to hear?
Those who want to see Lambchop can get an id shot at
http://www.geocities.com/eurodylan/chopper.htm
and then watch the Prince's Trust to see him move too!
Oooops, sloppy cut and paste from the web search, it does not look right does it? Better try:
http://www.expectingrain.com/dok/jpg/lambchop.jpg
EDLIS Research Labs, Inc. have been working through the nights to bring you the Lambchop transcription. Anyone care to improve on this? After She Belongs To Me (26) ends there is a gap of 1:50, followed by Bob Dylan saying, "Thank you. Thanks everybody..... Umm.. this here gentleman playing the guitar from Memphis... [someone in the crowd yells, "J.J. Jackson"] That's right man, you got it. That's his name. Alright - J.J. Jackson [laughing], alright. J.J.'s my.... [something inaudible]. I'd also like to say hello to our good friend, The Chopper, who's down here. How come you never made it to, uh, Cincinnati? You were suppose to come over there to... supposed to come down to Atlanta - you never showed up there. Pretty weird. On the drums tonight, Winston Watson. Give him a big hand. And on steel guitar, Bucky Baxter, playin' the mandolin too. On bass guitar tonight, Tony Garnier. [applause] Great seein' ya again Chopper [???]. Alright! We've been missin' ya! We've been missin' you the last couple shows." Person in Crowd yells, "DIGNITY!!! DIGNITY!!!" Bob Dylan replies, "That's it. That's it! [laughing] How about giving the Chopper a hand. Hey! [applause] He's seen more shows than me... He's seen me play more times than me...." [Followed by Seven Days (27)] Escaping On The Run (4 CDs (Volume 1: 2 CDs, Volume 2: 2 CDs) Moonlight Records, ML 9638, ML 9639, ML 9640, ML 9641, 1996, ACD, Bar-code: 5 419969 638394, 5 419969 640410)
