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Band:Bob Dylan DVD:Bob Dylan - 1966 World Tour [The Home Movies] - Through the Camera of Bob Dylan's Drummer Mickey Jones Released by:MVD Writer: Dr. J- Media: MySpace Click Album Cover To Buy Now

Remember your mother saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Ok, well at least some of you might. This is the perfect example of that time laden altruistic saying. Case and point – look at the cover and see a picture of Bob Dylan. Read the title and note the “Through the Camera of Bob Dylan's Drummer Mickey Jones” part. Conclude it’s a video about Bob Dylan. Watch the video and see little of Dylan.

What the DVD actually consists of is a series of ‘home’ movies filmed by drummer Mickey Jones during Dylan’s 1966 world tour. Music is provided by “Highway 61 Revisited”, a Bob Dylan tribute band, and the narration by Mickey Jones himself. While I’m sure many of you will be griping at this point, I urge you to read on a little more. In fact, the information and video provided is rather interesting.

Now for a little introduction to a well known drummer, within the later 1950s through the early 1960s era, named Mickey Jones. Jones got his start with Johnny Rivers and Trini Lopez (Mexican-American guitarist who helped design two Gibson guitar models). His first meeting with Dylan was evidently by chance and led to Jones’ hiring as a drummer on Dylan’s first electric world tour. For those not too familiar with Dylan’s history, this was a pivotal time in Dylan’s career. At the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, Dylan showed up with an electric guitar and a rock and roll band. The following “electric tour” that ensued in the U.S. led to many crowds angered by the lack of the more acoustical approach. Mickey Jones entered about the time Dylan was ready to head to Hawaii, Australia, then Europe. Interestingly enough, it’s chronicled that Dylan would start each night with a long acoustic set, followed by an electric set, which the crowds would generally heckle.

Perhaps one of the most talked about moments on the 1966 tour was caught on film and featured in the DVD. On May 17, 1966, Dylan played the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. As the ‘electric’ set neared completion, someone in the audience exclaimed “Judas!” In a moment still debated by many, Dylan appears to say, “I don’t believe you. You’re a liar!,” then turns to the band and says, “Play – fucking – loud!”, right before launching into “Like A Rolling Stone”. The issue debated is whether or not Dylan actually said, “Play – fucking – loud!” or if it was a stage hand. Watch the DVD and decide for yourself.

The DVD also includes quite a bit of historical information that makes it interesting. Why did Dylan’s backup band change its name from The Hawks to The Band? Evidently the ever so critical European press would comment along the likes of, “The band would begin to play…” and never mention the bands actual name. Word has it that this led to the name change from The Hawks to The Band. There are also interviews with Trini Lopez, Johnny Rivers, Charlie Daniels, and Richard Alderson (the sound man).

For a little bit of trivia, if the name Mickey Jones looks vaguely familiar to you, outside of the music world, there’s likely a reason. After drumming for Kenny Rogers and the First Edition for several years, Jones got into acting. He had parts in Sling Blade, Total Recall, and National Lampoon’s Vacation. He even had parts in television’s “Baywatch” and “Home Improvement” (the construction guy, Pete Bilker).

All in all, this DVD was informative and entertaining. While some Dylan fans gripe that the DVD title is misleading (which may be true to an extent), there are tidbits of history included throughout the DVD that make it worth the purchase. I’d suggest those interested in Dylan’s history, from a different perspective, at a somewhat controversial time in his career, check this out.

Band:Bob Dylan DVD:Bob Dylan - 1966 World Tour [The Home Movies] - Through the Camera of Bob Dylan's Drummer Mickey Jones Released by:MVD Writer: Dr. J- Media: MySpace Click Album Cover To Buy Now

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