East Rutherford, NJ (13-Nov-99)

This is the first in a batch of 1999 and 2000 U.S. shows that have recently been released for sound upgrading and dissemination. Many DVDylan members will already have seen the show from the right balcony view afforded by D042/D042.su, and they are in for a special treat when they see it from the left balcony on D1019. Unlike D042, which was sourced from a 1st, or, perhaps, 2nd generation VHS tape, D1019 was sourced directly from the mint H18 camera tape. It's colorful, well focused, expertly shot, and nearly complete, missing only 19 seconds of the final song. Fortunately, D042 had the final footage plus the lead out to the band's exit from the stage, so the source tape was used to restore those parts.

As to performance, if you've seen and heard D042.su or heard the fine audio that circulates, you know what a great concert this was. It's Dylan at his expressive best, with "Song To Woody," "Ring Them Bells," "Visions of Johanna," and "Blind Willie McTell" leading the way in my opinion. Then there's the unexpected cover of the Willie Dixon/Muddy Waters' blues standard, "Hoochie Coochie Man." Stacey Williams wrote long ago that "[Dylan] is one of the most compelling white blues singers ever recorded." That praise was written in the liner notes of Dylan's debut album, with Dylan singing blues standards solo acoustic. Who could have imagined that 38 years later we'd be treated to an electrified version with Dylan on electric guitar accompanied by two of the finest lead guitarists in the land?

This is the stuff of legend. Get it. You won't be disappointed.

5 Stars are hardly enough for this one.