East Rutherford, NJ (21-Jul-86)

We don't have many 1986 shows in our catalog, especially ones sourced from master tapes. And, although we only have seven songs represented here, I regard this as a "must-have" item, hence a '5' rating.

Not only is Dylan in excellent voice, he is also in excellent spirits, to the point of ordering the staff at the Meadowlands to allow audience members to move up to the empty front seats. It's rare to hear Bob lead the Happy Birthday song, but he does so here in honor of Heartbreaker's bassist Howie Epstein, who died of an apparent heroin overdose in 2003.

There's much to like about the supporting cast, especially the Queens of Rhythym and the guest appearance of Al Kooper on the final three songs in this set. The Heartbreakers provide excellent backing, as usual, and the duets with Tom Petty on "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" and "Blowin' In The Wind" are highlights.

Dylan delivers a brief sermon in his introduction of "In The Garden," exhorting the audience to be concerned about prisoners in New Jersey who were unjustly incarcerated. The proximity of the Meadowlands venue to Rubin Carter's hometown and the prison of his incarceration was not lost on audience members, who roared their approval.