Expecting Rain

any favorites?

Niagara Falls
Chicago 2001

Cork 2011 certainly one of the best I've heard, both vocally and harp wise

Any one from 2003 to 2005. Song as a romping, stomping beast back then.

What Roving Gambler said.

Also, Sunrise 2002.

Moncton 2002 - rocked the house!

Hop Farm 2010!

The wilder the better.

I'll have to confirm this later, but I think Augusta, Maine in 2002 is one helluva performance. Don't even know if the banjo's in it (as it usually was at this time) - if it is, it's really low in the mix.

Can't go wrong with the one from November 24, 2003. The Hammersmith show I believe. Check it out. You won't be sorry.

Oh, and I'm partial to the Tulsa, Oklahoma performance on July 6, 2005. Bob flubs some lyrics, but it doesn't hurt it one bit.

Agreed... and the Spring 2005 were especially nice as Donny would be on banjo and Elana Fremerman (now James) played fiddle. Some beautiful performances out there... Chicago, April 1, 2005 is very sweet.

That said, I think the Fall 2003 performances are really the best... Freddie and Larry had this down to perfection.

The one from the Roundhouse in 2009 is also worth a listen.

Agreed.. maybe his hardest rocking song live?

It can be if he allows it...

I'd agree, if it weren't for Cold Irons Bound, especially the Chicago version in 2010.

Red Bluff, 7 Oct 2002. Everyone in the band gets a solo (even Bob does a cool 20 sec piano solo) and Bob's singing is AWESOME.

Cheers, SLuggy

So many good versions, hard to say which is my favorite. Song kicks ass in pretty much any of its incarnations.

August 23rd 2003
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
off Tell Tale Signs.

I just don't like it when the voice doesn't come in clear on every line, which is a lot to ask for these days, but sometimes it happens.

Rochester 2004 is probably the wildest I've ever heard the song sound.

sunrise 2002 was an all around monster show.

Was good! Not the wildest, but good. I happened to be at that. I think he also played it the next night in Binghamton as well although I may be mixing up years. Also I'm assuming you mean Rochester NY. If not, then whatever year those 2 in a row happened it was good. Highwater is usually a show highlight for me. Seen loads of 'em and each different.

Rochester fall '04 is a fab show overall

I don't think I've ever heard the recording. Will have to try and find it I suppose. Sometimes leaving the live show in your head is better, although I think my brain has aged enough now to finally handle listening to the boot. I hope it's as good as the show was.

Sunrise and Red Bluff are favorites of mine, as is Niagara Falls (they really got that one right for TTS), that Augusta Maine version was really hot, too, although I haven't heard it in awhile. What's amazing is how consistent a highlight this was for nearly a decade, in various different guises too (none of those four sound alike). To this day I'm happy to see this on a setlist, though I can't recall a version from the last couple years that quite matches the earlier ones. I think Michael Gray asked the question "is Bob Dylan today producing texts that Bob Dylan of the future will be able to reinvent year after year?"

I think this song answers the question with a solid YES.

I like your post, smoke, and am in head-nodding agreement with all that you say here. Danced my ass off to that Augusta one (haven't heard the recording though) and they really fired it up again a few nights later in Moncton, 'cause that's the one that sticks in my mind after following a nice string of shows that summer. Moncton is possibly my most memorable live HiH2O of many, many.

I was listening to Tell Tale Signs the other day..... it is an exceptionally good album.... for instance that version of High Water is just great.... Born in Time of course .... and so many of the other songs.... oh heck.... all of the other songs.... It really is an excellent album.....