MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Contact:          Pat Courtemanche

(612) 782-8305 / pat_court@yahoo.com

 

Blood on the Tracks Live on March 3, 2004 at the Pantages Theatre

 

Original lineup of musicians appearing on Dylan's classic, uncredited Minneapolis sessions for Blood on the Tracks (BOTT) to perform with special guest

Eric Weissberg ("Dueling Banjos" and BOTT New York sessions)

 

WHAT:           Blood on the Tracks Live - featuring the complete original lineup of musicians backing Bob Dylan on the 1974 Minneapolis sessions for the landmark album. The evening will include a complete performance of Blood on the Tracks from start to finish, with special guest vocalists handling Mr. Dylan's parts. This incredible one-time event will closely follow the February release of "A Simple Twist of Fate: Bob Dylan and the Making of Blood on the Tracks," the highly anticipated new book by Andy Gill and Kevin Odegard (De Capo Press). Blood on the Tracks Live will be a very special celebration of the upcoming 30th anniversary of one of Bob Dylan's greatest accomplishments.

Performers include:

Bill Berg (drums)

Gregg Inhofer (keyboards)

Kevin Odegard (guitar)

Peter Ostroushko (mandolin, guitar)

Billy Peterson (bass)

Chris Weber (guitar).

Eric Weissberg (guitar/banjo), the legendary multi-instrumentalist who appeared on the New York sessions for Blood on the Tracks.

Very Special Guests to be announced

 

OPENING

ACT:             Paul Metsa

 

WHEN:           Wednesday, March 3, 2004, 7:30 p.m.

 

WHERE:         The Pantages Theatre

                        710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

DETAILS:      Tickets are $17.50 and $24.50 (subject to fees) available through Ticketmaster at (651) 989-5151

 

 

In 1974 Bob Dylan wrote, recorded, reconsidered, and then re-recorded Blood on the Tracks, and to this day, no one who hears it can avoid being blown away by its

 

-more-



emotional power. Blood on the Tracks was rated the 16th Greatest Album of All Time in the December 11, 2003 issue of Rolling Stone. Yet, the full story behind the creation of this album is only now being told. Although you will not find their names on the album credits for Blood on the Tracks, a group of Minneapolis musicians lent their talents to this masterpiece when Bob Dylan entered Sound 80 recording studios a few days after Christmas in 1974 to lay down the final versions of some of BOTT's most enduring tracks (including "Tangled Up in Blue," "Idiot Wind," "You're a Big Girl Now" and more). The Minneapolis sessions followed what was thought to be the completion of Blood on the Tracks, recorded in New York with top-flight musicians, and the mystery surrounding the proceedings are well placed in Dylan's enigmatic lore.

 

On Wednesday, March 3, 2004, all of the musicians who backed Dylan in Minneapolis will re-unite for one incredible evening to celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary of Blood on the Tracks. One of America's most gifted instrumentalists, Eric Weissberg, will join the Minneapolis crew at the Pantages Theatre. Known for his extensive resumé of studio work (including "Dueling Banjos"), Eric Weissberg played on the New York sessions for Blood on the Tracks. Blood on the Tracks Live will include a performance of the classic album from start to finish, along with some very special guest vocalists.

 

            Strong national interest is anticipated for the February 2004 release of the book "A Simple Twist of Fate: Bob Dylan and the Making of Blood on the Tracks," by Andy Gill and Kevin Odegard (De Capo Press). It is fitting that Minneapolis will host a live performance by the Twin Cities musicians who unexpectedly became a significant part of the making of a classic.

 

            Companion Event / "Overtime at the Mill: The Making of Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks" / Thursday, March 4, 2004, 6:00 p.m., at the Mill City Museum: The original lineup of musicians appearing on the Minneapolis sessions for Blood on the Tracks will stage a re-enactment of the historic encounter. The evening will feature performances of the music and a discussion of the making of Blood on the Tracks (including guest speakers). A guest set by Paul Metsa will precede the re-enactment. Food and beverage will be available. The Mill City Museum is located at 704 So. Second St., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Admission is $5. For reservations, please call the Mill City Museum at (612) 341-7555.

 

            For more information. Complete media information will be available in the weeks to come. For more information and to arrange interviews please contact:

 

Pat Courtemanche

(612) 782-8305

pat_court@yahoo.com (please call as well)

                                                                                                     

January 6, 2004

 

 

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