Glasgow/Barrowlands 24-Jun-04

If I were rating this simply on performance and audience appreciation, this item would be a 5-plus. Dylan gives it his all, and audience participation is beyond enthusiastic. So, enthusiastic, in fact, that Dylan is moved, following a rollicking "Like A Rolling Stone," to announce prior to the band intros that: "I must say, you're the best singing audience that we've ever heard. We must have played that song a thousand times, and nobody could sing with us."

Alas, however, the video sources are below average in terms of cuts, shakes, obstructions and missing songs, thus necessitating more fills and omissions than average. This is not to say, however, that the two filmers, both stationed stage right, didn't do a competent job of capturing Bob between the heads and shoulders of audience members, even swinging over to the band when possible.

The audio upgrade source is among the best you'll hear, a saving grace because Bob's delivery is spot on and the band is on fire. This was the period of time prior to the entrance of Denny Freeman and Donny Herron when Stu Kimball was handling lead guitar duties while Larry Campbell played a variety of instruments including lap steel, violin, and bouzouki. The result is a robust sound that gives further evidence that Stu is a better player than he's given credit for.

So, while I can't say that this item will suit every taste, I can highly recommend it to anyone who likes the summer 2004 sound, and must also tip my hat, or even my beret, to our Scottish friends who made this a night for Bob and the Band to remember.

4+ stars
(Disk author's full disclosure: There's a 48:08 a/v sync problem @15:36:08.)