1965 was a pivotal year in Bob Dylan's career. In the early part of the year he released "Bringing It All Back Home", the first album that saw him move distinctly away from his folk music origins. In the summer he follo... more »wed it with "Highway 61 Revisited", an out and out rock `n' roll album, and the single "Like A Rolling Stone" hit No.2 on the US charts. His appearance at that year's Newport Folk Festival saw him use an electric guitar on stage, a hugely controversial move at the time that saw him booed by much of the audience. Against this background, Dylan went into the studios of TV station KQED in San Francisco for a broadcast press conference hosted by Ralph J. Gleason, his only one from this era ever to be filmed.« less
"In December 1965 - less than 6 months after Dylan went "electric" at the Newport Folk Festival, he was in San Francisco for 3 concerts. Jazz critic Ralph Gleason arranged for a televised hour-long press conference at WQED and recorded it on video. Thanks to the late Gleason's son Toby (who has made many of his father's Jazz Casual" jazz shows available on DVD), the full press conference is now available. This is a MUST for true Dylan fans and an entertaining curiosity for those who were fascinated by Martin Scorsese's documentary on Dylan earlier this year.
By technical standards, the print is top notch and sharp. The sound is the best that can be expected when the questioners did not use microphones to ask Dylan their questions. (You can hear his answers just fine!).
There were about 30 reporters in the room, including poet Allen Ginsburg (who Dylan lists - in answer to one question - as one of his favorite poets).
I won't give away all of the gems which come from Dylan during the 50-minute conference but He's really prophetic when asked: "If you were to sell out to `commercial interests', what would they be ?". He replies "Ladies garments" . 40 years later he was doing commercials for Victoria's Secret!
Dylan is VERY relaxed in his manner and quite open. He chain smokes through the whole session.
This DVD has no bonus features and is sort of budget priced, so it's definitely worth a watching and , if you are a Dylan completist, adding to your collection.
Steve Ramm "In The Groove"
"
Vintage Dylan interview
G. ONeil | 12/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first viewed this interview long ago from a VHS that was a copy of a copy of a copy...well, long-time Dylan fans know how poorly this material was presented. But long ago, we fans accepted sub-par production because we knew that Dylan's material would always be superior. Whatever the defects of the medium, Dylan would always be entertaining.
But no longer do we need to witness Dylan through faded and distorted images. This DVD offers the viewer crystal clear clarity, sharp black and white images - nothing at all to detract from the interview. Dylan ambles into this den of reporters, plops in his chair, fishes out the first of many cigarettes, and performs his own brand of magic. He listens, sometimes laughing at the absurdity of some questions, but usually answers plainly - follow-up questions usually are treated to his absurdist humor. More thoughtful questions are treated to more expansive answers by Dylan, and he seems to take pains to explain himself.
However, the real show is when some reporters try to frustrate or anger him. He is soft-spoken but never backs away from a challenge. He is at once witty, reflective, absurd, and always hilarious when he responds.
This interview was a long time arriving in DVD format, but well worth the wait. We see a young man who is confident of his abilities, yet always insisting that his role is a musician and songwriter, not a spokesperson for any group or cause. As he continues to tour at the age when other musicians are performing greatest hits, Dylan continues to create music that inspires. This DVD captures a moment from Dylan's back pages where we can see him answer questions unscripted and on the fly - this performance certainly captures his wit, insight, and thoughtfulness. It may very well rank as a fine performance from this "song and dance man.""
A must see for dylan fans
Jonathan Lapin | Brooklyn, NY USA | 04/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"a hilarious tour-de-force by bobby of one of his legendary press conferences from the 60s: the only one caught in its entirety on film. the mind boggles at some of the simplistic queries posed, not to mention the contempt in which reporters frequently held dylan. of course, he matches them in the contempt level and verbally outspars all comers, while attempting to frequently turn the conversation to a serious discussion of his music -- before another stupid question sets off another riff on the absurd. this is for bob dylan fans only, but for them it is a huge treat."
Dylan is Brilliant!!!
Jacob M. Blankinship | Anderson, IN USA | 02/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The quality of this film is great, the other clips from it, that I have seen in the past were always grainy and just overall poor. This one however is magnificent. Bob is so sure of himself, as he should be, and he is just totally screwing with the morons that are asking the questions! It's wonderful to see Bob in action!"
CAUGHT ON CAMERA!
Nadia | 05/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD has extraordinary clear images--and I played the DVD on a $50 Walmart TV and a $30 Magnavox DVD player in a room where NBC comes in poorly no matter what TV I use or move around in there.
This legendary press conference is a must buy--a real keeper. This is good for those trying to catch up with the 60's as well as young people learning about this living legend. I really give it 7 points out of 5. This DVD gives a glimse of the person, Bob Dylan, at the peak of his 60's career, his youth, and of course a glimpse into the roaring 60's.
I was truly mesmerized and fascinated in watching this press conference.
As soon as Bob Dylan walks in and sits down, he quickly steals the show. Throughout the conference, he is alert, relaxed, unasuming, expressive, and playful (in a nice way). He quickly answers questions sometimes with deep insights uncommon for his young age. He demonstrates intelligence beyond his years, charm, poise, style and humor. He is the Star of the show, without any doubt. He never raises his voice in irritation or defensiveness even to the most stinging questions. At one time an ash escapes his lit cigarette and Dylan playfully searches for it on his lap and about, and a reporter apparently irritated at his cute antics tries to gain control of the show by shooting a stinging question at Dylan to which he quickly responds with great poise and dignity without any trace of irritation which immediately puts him back in control of the show. It is fascinating to watch! Dylan (in a more informal setting in another DVD) has a much more passionate exchange with a sort-of reporter, but that was okay. In this case the setting was more formal and Dylan mastered it to perfection. There are ALSO some FRIENDLY folks there that watch Bob with utter amazement and admiration. Don't think everyone there is out to get him. Pay attention to the reporter up front and the middle-aged lady in the back--especially.
He fidgets a bit and smokes a lot, but surprisingly, this only adds to his charm rather than the opposite. (smoking is 100% wrong today--these were different times).
There are gorgeous close-ups with amazing detail--but you have to wait a while until the R E A L CLOSEUPS BEGIN. Don't despair if the shots go back to normal because there are close-ups all over again before the press converence ends. He was truly very good looking with gorgeous eyes and lips!! I never realized how stunning he really was at that age until now! GEE Wiz! I was only a teenager until the end of the 60s and the first record I ever bought of Bob Dylan was Lay Lady Lay (don't kill me "since '64 fans") (I now have lots and lots more records from him and trying to catch up with all that was going on back then). So kids, if you see him today aged beyond his years, remember he was once young, with extraordinary talent enough to outshine millions of people.
I think the price is fair indeed and well worth the investment--it is only a press conference, however, and it is not the length of a regular movie. You can view this DVD time and time again alone just for fun or share viewing fun with friends and family!!
Oh by the way, the famous poet, Allen Ginsberg, who is also a friend of Bob is there helping Bob with the right question. I also like Allen Ginsberg because he was in CA in the late 60's protesting whale hunting with folks that later became the organization Animal Protection Institute (now together w/Born Free). (I just had to add that). Thank you Allen!