Bob Dylan - The Other Side Of The Mirror: Live At The Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965

From singing folk to shocking them: Dylan’s days at Newport

This long awaited documentary, produced and directed by Murray Lerner, compiles more than 80 minutes of expertly filmed and well-sequenced footage (most of which has never been seen before) of Dylan performing at a time when he was still the prized discovery of the East Coast folk music establishment. Deftly mixing casual, afternoon “workshop” material (Mr Tambourine Man, With God On Our Side and a ringing Blowin’ In The Wind with Joan Baez, The Freedom Singers and Peter, Paul & Mary) with evening concert footage (a riveting Only A Pawn In Their Game and an exhilarating version of Chimes Of Freedom are standouts), Lerner organically chronicles Dylan’s developing assertion of artistic freedom and musical independence. It culminates in 1965 with his galvanizing, plugged-in renditions of Maggie’s Farm and Like A Rolling Stone (just then released as a single), performed with members of Paul Butterfield’s roaring blues band, featuring the prodigiously talented Michael Bloomfield on lead guitar. Lerner’s approach, with no voice-overs or explanatory titles, adds to the drama immeasurably. An inspired follow-up to his 1967 Festival! effort.

Columbia/Legacy | 88697155379

Reviewed by Gary von Tersch
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