Expecting Rain

I like to think that Charlie kneels as an homage to Keith Richards, who strikes the same pose from time to time. Charlie'd have the look down pat if he stuck a lit butt between the strings and the fretboard.

Charlie needs to play more Telecasters...

Yeah, the full potential of Charlie didn't make much of an appearance this time around (2011). I wonder if he can continue to be kept under wraps for another season or if he'll fire his pistons elsewhere.

Well, he never made it big as a solo artist or with the Arc Angels (and it seems as if the idea of doing both the AA's and Bob side by side didn't work out), so the job in Bob's band has been steady employment up until now.

If he felt that he couldn't just go solo and had to rely on sideman work, I'm pretty sure he'd consider Bob the best gig he could land, regardless of how much freedom he is given or not.

He's almost like a complete unknown.

Erm, actually he's not. He's the highest profile touring band band member Dylan has had since Mick Taylor.

Isn't he a producer as well? I thought I saw something on tv a while back about him producing something for Justin Timberlake, of all people.

"Isn't he a producer as well? I thought I saw something on tv a while back about him producing something for Justin Timberlake, of all people."


hes largely unknown. there is no money in producing anymore, which is what he came to find out.

the bob gig is something he wont find anywhere else.

he has a high profile in Austin outside of which nobody knows who he is.

Higher than Tom Petty or the Grateful Dead?

Or GE Smith?

Tom Petty and Grateful Band weren't touring band members, they shared the stage with Dylan, hence, no comparison.

GE always was a sideman only, he will be remembered by the nerds but not the gerneral public. However, if you grew up in the 80s, it's pretty likely that you will remember Charlie for the couple of hits he had or maybe even own his first album (or tried to flog it a a second hand store at some point.)

I will mark today as the first time that I've ever been called a nerd.

Regarding GE Smith - folks from my generation who grew up in the US (I'm 34 right now) will always remember GE Smith as the bandleader during Saturday Night Live's second "Golden Era". I still pine for the Farley, Sandler, Hartmann, Chris Rock days of SNL and GE Smith and his band was a huge part of that. He always looked a little freaky with his blonde ponytail and all but the guy is/was certainly memorable. What's he up to these days anyway? I'm sure that somebody on here has the inside scoop...

'Since September 15, 2010, Smith is performing as a part of Roger Waters' band during the 2010–2011 tour The Wall Live.

In February 2011, Smith was on tour with Hot Tuna, appearing as "Hot Tuna Blues." Charlie Musselwhite and Jim Lauderdale were also on the tour, and all three musicians perform with Hot Tuna on certain songs. In their February 18, 2011, performance, Smith came onstage during the opening acoustic set, and remained to play the rest of the evening. He played a vintage Gibson J-200 in the acoustic set, and an early '50s Fender Telecaster in the electric set.'

scooped from wikipedia

Aha! Thanks arabia!

Petty was a member of a band. The Dead were a band. They toured. Therefore, they were touring band members.

I don't think one has to be a nerd to remember GE, & altho' I didn't think of him until Barefoot posted it, I'd say GE is higher profile. SNL & Hot Tuna (one of my favorite bands) are more well-known than anything Charlie has ever been part of. Charlie has a reputation in Austin, but I doubt that he's more highly regarded there than the Vaughan bros., Fabulous Thunderbirds, LouAnn Barton, Angela Strehli, Kaz Kazanoff, Paul Ray, or even Denny Freeman. In fact, in the only Austin blues compilation album I'm aware of, Austin Rhythm and Blues Christmas, Charlie plays a relatively minor role, so obviously the record label felt the same way as I do about Charlie's standing in Austin.

I don't mean to spend so many posts bashing Charlie. I'm sure he obeys the law & is kind to his mother. I liked his work in his first go-around with Dylan, not so much this time around. I just don't think he needs to be made up to be more than he is.

Okay, okay, I see what all you guys say, and maybe it's a little different in the US due to SNL, but what I meant is that usually you'd know G.E. because you're the kind of person that reads the credit of his/her fave records, while you might as well remember Charlie from being played on MTV (albeit only for a short time). To me, that's quite a difference, maybe not for others.

I guess what I wanted to say all along is that Chralie is remembered first and foremost remembered as a solo artist, while pretty much all other Dylan regular sidemen were considered for their sidemen roles or being part of other bands, even if they did solo records at one point or another.

i wouldn't have known of Charlie were it not for Bob. GE smith i first encountered on SNL. now what's this MTV you speak of?

I was never an MTV kinda guy either. It did more harm than good, causing folks to judge music by how cool the video looked. MTV's reputation for introducing new music to the world was way overrated. Eventually it was all about presenting the music that made the most money just like any radio station.

Not to hijack Charlies thread but... speaking of G.E Smith, does anybody have a video (or at least a picture) of him when he returned in 2000 to play a few songs with Bob?

I've never come accross any and would love to see it!

Hi grwar, I meant to look for one, but didn't have much luck although I must admit, the attempt was lame. Did anyone pull through for you?

Nope, unfortunately no one has! Guess I will continue the search

I'll have to go watch it again. I thought I also saw George.
So if Charlie's out, the band is practicing lots of stuff. Wonder if it'll be someone we know. Hopefully not. We need new blood that pushes the envelope of improvisation. Exciting!

If Charlie is gone (which he isn't) I hope they bring someone who will have Background Vocals again Miss those