After finishing the album Planet Waves, Bob Dylan and The Band headed out on tour of North American hockey arenas in early 1974. Before the Flood collects a double album of tracks mostly from the final three shows in Inglewood, California. The release sees both artists sharing the spotlight with The Band taking the lead on eight of the albums 21 songs. Several of Dylan’s songs appear in alternate forms from their originals.
In later years Dylan would reportedly complain that the only compliment he would receive about the shows were ones about the energy. The well meaning compliment is spot on – opener “Most Likely You Go Your Way” from the classic album Blonde on Blonde really gets things moving before top 10 hit “Lay Lady Lay” is performed. The energy shifts with the one track taken from a New York show with “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” that brings a heavier atmosphere than the rest of the side. Side 2 sees The Band turn in a funky groove on their classic “Up On Cripple Creek” and a beautifully soulful version of “The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down”.
The second album opens with Dylan playing an acoustic set with sped up versions of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” that the crowd really appreciates and “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”. These two tracks + a countrified rock version of “Blowin’ In The Wind” take the Dylan sound out of folk rooms and onto the massive arena stage. “Like a Rolling Stone” appears as a groove laden country take on the incendiary classic. The drumming of Levon Helm steals the spotlight away from the original’s organ. Both versions work. Along with these Dylan songs, The Band turn in a vocally rough and ready version of “The Weight” that really swings + the upbeat “The Shape I’m In” from their Stage Fright album.
Years ago, there was a commercial that aired on MuchMusic that showed Bob Dylan mumbling through a song in concert. It was an amusing commercial but that is far from what Dylan sounds like here. His vocals are clear and the different arrangements on several of the tracks work really well to give a different flavour of his sound. The Band locks into grooves and really swing throughout. A great live album of two legends.
8/10
The Light Appears 
I wasn’t familiar with this match-up until reading your post, Michael. Great article, and I do agree about his vocals on the featured video. That is a clever title for a concert series themed on hockey rinks – “before the flood.” Huh!