Bob Dylan - Oh, Sister (Live on PBS, 1975) [RESTORED FOOTAGE]

This was recorded for the PBS special, "The World of John Hammond", which celebrated the influence and success of legendary talent scout and producer John Hammond; he can be seen at 2:18 grooving along to Dylan's performance. Taping took place at WTTW-TV Studios in Chicago on September 10, 1975, and also included "Hurricane" and "Simple Twist of Fate". This recording was subsequently broadcast that December, and then once more the following year, with this track edited out (although it is a beautiful rendition and my personal favorite of the three songs played, it's probably the least polished).
Legends such as Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson were also featured on this show. Whereas they accepted PBS's invitation months in advance, Dylan confirmed just two days prior, as is typical! He recruited some of the musicians who played on his recently completed album, "Desire": Scarlet Rivera (violin), Howie Wyeth (drums), and Rob Stoner (Bass & Backup vocals). This band eventually became the core of Dylan's set on the Rolling Thunder Revue tour, which would start touring the next month. So, one could argue that this is the earliest live performance of the Rolling Thunder Revue. The raw, whispy sound that this four-piece band makes is really incredible, so I wish we had more recordings like this.
Interestingly, when Dylan recruited these musicians, he only told them that they were doing a gig in Chicago, mentioning nothing about being broadcasted on a major television station with Columbia executives in the audience, and not to mention John Hammond himself. Here is a fascinating anecdote from Rivera:
"Bob asked me and the trio of Rob and Howie to join him in Chicago for the tribute to John Hammond Sr, who changed the course of music by his vision and courage to sign many greats, including Bob Dylan, to CBS. This was another First. I had never performed on live TV and now it was going to be in front of every senior executive of CBS and a viewing audience of millions! I am amazed still that Bob had confidence in me to pull this extremely important concert off without failing on live TV, especially as this show was before a single live concert to support Desire. I would also perform "A Simple Twist of Fate" with him, and I had only rehearsed it that afternoon once backstage. Appreciating the song and playing it live with the man himself are two very different things! I was incredibly tense and taut, but I indeed pulled it off, and it is my all-time favorite video of playing live with him."
Love & Peace,
~SP

[@phish1]

“Time is an ocean, but it ends at the shore. You may not see me tomorrow”.

[@michaelmarks9002]

Has stayed with me since I first bought Desire as a teen.

[@michaelmarks9002]

Desire is tattooed on my chest.

[@gublerjj]

Powerful, timeless

[@jameswatson5105]

Another one of his countless gems.

[@joseGomez-hv4gv]

Llllllllll

[@missaleromanum5614]

Nothing makes me feel the way Bob Dylan makes me feel

[@raronson-bq4id]

Time is an ocean but it ends at the shore - that line gets me every time.

[@danielhkhk7283]

Dylans voice was on its peak here.

[@chocersify]

His voice is at its peak in his current albums Rough and Rowdy Ways (2020) and Shadow Kingdom (2021) including the Livestream and Film and in the associated current phase of his Never-Ending Tour, the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour which concluded just last month (May 2024) in Austin, Texas after 202 Concerts in 8 legs since Nov 2021 in Asia, Europe and North America - ahead of his upcoming 2024 Outlaw Music Festival Tour with Willie Nelson, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, John Mellencamp and more starting next month.

[@stevefaure415]

This is a great performance. I love when Dylan is in a position of being a real musician, a bandmate, rather than just standing up there with a guitar you can't hear and a big band behind him. He's on his toes here, a real musician and a poet too.

[@janetwebb1507]

Amein

[@evangreenberg3570]

this is so amazing, and possibly more powerful than the live "Hurricane" from the same PBS broadcast. if this doesn't move you to tears, you might not really be a BD fan....

[@lennarthallberg9918]

Could not have said that better. Thanks, Steve.

[@geraldodamatavieira3417]

MARAVILHOSO, PENA NÃO SER IMORTAL.

[@Noitisnt-ns7mo]

Fame is a shame.

[@jorgejohnson451]

Scarlet rocks. She was huge in “Desire.” You might say Dylan spotting her, meeting her and having the insight to put her on the record was “a simple twist of fate.”

[@FrancisTheBerd]

Indeed, Desire wouldn't be desire without Scarlet

[@tomdunham8026]

saw the rolling thunder show in '75 in bangor maine, she was wearing a long see through gown

[@EzekielsBones]

A Goddess to be sure

[@JohnnyReb369]

It's my understanding that they didn't get much playing time together before they recorded Desire, and when they did this show. They had just met and they sound like they were meant to be playing together

[@patriciathewisher2315]

Utterly fantastic performance. Scarlet and Bob in perfect unison

[@Official_KC]

This is one of the absolute best sets Dylan has ever done, to me. These three songs. Wish it didn't get removed for here.

[@ashapatel1058]

what are other two songs

[@tonywooten596]

@@ashapatel1058 hurricane was 1

[@ashapatel1058]

@@tonywooten596 Thank you!

[@alsharpe]

@@ashapatel1058 Simple Twist of Fate was the other one

[@ashapatel1058]

@@alsharpe Thank you! could not find the recording though,

[@derealovesurvival7549]

2024 still here

[@sharontalley2155]

I've always loved this song. Love Bob Dylan. He has been a big influence on my life and still is.

[@patrickboudreau3846]

The 70’s were special. I was very young…it was before, before all of this we are all stuck in. Our new Lord, the Iphone.

[@pault2461]

Desire is an amazing album

[@olsenfan4000]

His BEST album for me!

[@3277373]

My favorite singer/songwriters of all time. Stay forever young Bob.

[@janetwebb1507]

Amein

[@ruthpaul7572]

Fantastic performance. Dylan is at his best.

[@user-nr2fp2zs5v]

Oh, sister, when I come to lie in your arms You should not treat me like a stranger Our Father would not like the way that you act And you must realize the danger ❤ Oh, sister, am I not a brother to you And one deserving of affection And is our purpose not the same on this earth To love and follow his direction ❤ We grew up together From the cradle to the grave We died and were reborn And then mysteriously saved ❤ Oh, sister, when I come to knock on your door Don't turn away, you'll create sorrow Time is an ocean but it ends at the shore You may not see me tomorrow

[@lindarobison7830]

This reminds me of bob that i saw back in the late 60s. His voice was clean an demanding. Thank you

[@javierramos1249]

How can I not say this man pulls on my heart strings. VC

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Always loved the haunting sound of Scarlet’s violin

[@reaganwiles_art]

The music never dominates the man it's in perfect harmony

[@pollyvaughnzimmerman1699]

My arms are open wide, brother~mine. Awaiting, even until this day. My heart is stayed, placed solidly within yours, in eager expectation of a fulfillment, both yours and mine, to bring our Father’s heart so much Joy. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@esperanza5I]

All these years later ... these songs still move me.

[@benjaminmcdonald5802]

This is the most buetiful song ever for me

[@Benjamin-hughgreen-Mcd]

Ha there's my lost account 😂 how's it going Benjamin

[@tullsongs]

Is there any better Dylan footage out there ?...seriously ?...phenomenal !

[@nissi.k]

Swingin, just want to also mention what a great restoration job you did in this footage and thank you for your description notes, backstory and quoted account! Top notch as always! ✨🌹✨

[@SwinginPig]

Thank you, Nissi. Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

[@not2tees]

Scarlet Rivera does appear tense but with the others brings it all off well. Dylan's appreciation of spontaneous performing never faded. Thank you Swingin P.

[@kevinskogg2179]

She always seemed that way to me, but I still think her playing is so good.

[@justsomeguy820]

That is such a unique and rare chemistry with Scarlet Rivera. Works so well in an unexpected way.

[@BobDylanfan]

This might be my favorite Dylan clip of all time.

[@peterjohnson1761]

A great performance of my favourite Dylan song .

[@RandomEarthCinema]

I think this may be the Dylan’s best set of his life. Perfect amalgamation of everything he’s so good at

[@ronandlili]

And the violinist looks like Joan Baez after all those first years.

[@ladyblue498]

Great live performance...great song😌 Thanks...

[@81dsend]

This was the first record I owned. None of my friends got it.

[@buddyskinner1633]

Love this song and the album Desire

[@vincenzostr4488]

Bob Dylan is amazing

[@RhysPitman94]

Beautiful and Elegant 🎻❤ Thanks Swingin' 🐖

[@annamariajatobapalacios1191]

Beautiful song!

[@calvinpanini]

YES this performance is so good!! Thanks Swingin'!

[@AJ_AMDG_90]

Thanks for doing Gods work man.

[@paulmokidespaul5347]

I gotta give him credit and Respect!!!!

[@klaustoth6982]

thank you for making this accessible, pigster. this is very special footage.

[@user-tf1hd2gg6f]

the best era for music in the 60 and the 70 years please don’t forget ❤❤❤

[@peterburlin8198]

Always dreamed of playing accustic guitar and singing with a talented violinist!

[@GaryBook]

Bruce Springsteen’s first manager didn’t let Bruce know they had invited him to this event. He was very angry because he would have gone. It was John Hammond who signed Bruce Springsteen as well.

[@martajadwiga4501]

Thank you Swinging Pig🌹 This performance is absolutely incredible!!❤ The song is beautiful in itself but this rendition sends goose bumps down my spine. Time is the ocean but it ends at the shore. You may not see me tomorrow. Or as ancient Egyptians would say: we don't know what tomorrow will bring. When a man called a woman sister it meant she was his soul mate. 🍀🌺🦋

[@barbaralynn5385]

Beautiful! Thank you for the backstory on this incredible performance

[@nissi.k]

Swingin’ thanks so much for this performance and footage of this wonderful song! ✨🤍✨🎻✨🤍✨🎻✨🤍✨

[@johnhalbert3575]

😊😊I'm very pls to know I'm not the only one that loves😍 👆 the song but when last did you play it

[@nissi.k]

@@johnhalbert3575 Okay Bob singing it or play it myself? I listen to Bob everyday and I sang this about a couple months ago!

[@johnhalbert3575]

@@nissi.k great. I just finished playing the song it really a nice song to listen. Do you like music and what are your favorite bands

[@buelahland]

Time is an ocean but it ends at the shore … 🙌😇🎵

[@1829scott]

great version Bob, thanks

[@nassihladjeroud7533]

desire un album qui me tient a coeur depuis 1976 .i can t never forget

[@johnbest265]

One of my favorites of all times

[@bernielamont825]

Wow, Dylan at 34, have been to many of his concerts, but the people at this one got a real treat! Thanks

[@oleggorky906]

He was at the height of his powers in 75 and 76. He released Blood on the Tracks and Desire, two brilliant albums, and he toured with a stellar cast in the autumn of the first year and the spring of the second, where money wasn’t the primary concern (just as well because the RTRT didn’t make any!) He was 10 years on from that famous trilogy of albums and he managed to peak for the second time in his career. Although he’s managed to keep releasing great albums, such as Infidels, Time out of Mind, Love and Theft, Modern Times and Rough and Rowdy ways he was getting older and his live craft wouldn’t be as good as it was in these mid career years ever again.

[@marygoff3102]

A real man is not ashamed of his beliefs. I’m so impressed with everything about Bob. Thanks SP for another great share👂🏻

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Ffs n this is serious n u r saying this [:,-0

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

u don’t f know her u don’t f know her, girl of my dreams ,X,0

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Ffs ,X,0

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Incredible!! ❤️✌️

[@germanptv]

Aquí seguimos, 45 años después. "El tiempo es un océano, pero termina en la orilla".

[@oliveeisner8964]

Another classic Dylan gem. It can mean many things to many people. Beautiful rendition too. I always appreciate the back stories you add in. Thank you Swingin~

[@patriciathewisher2315]

Back for more. Couldn’t stay away. Am not even drunk and it sounds like it’s getting better n better all the time, I must admit. X🎸🚣🏼‍♂️🌻🌕🍓🍰🍻

[@erickson7728]

Just incredible. . . From Dylan to Scarlet Rivera.

[@0otee]

Greattttttt.... Time is an ocean but it ends at the shore.. you may not see me tomorrow.. silence and no words come here.. Thanks Swingin’ so much! Have lovely 🎄🕯🎄days and a Healthy 🎼and ‘Better’ 2021🌹 Thanks DearDylan🌺❤️🌞🌹👌

[@johnhalbert3575]

😊😊I'm very pls to know I'm not the only one that loves😍 👆 the song but when last did you play it

[@miguelraeder3005]

Helloo!!! I covered this song in my channel and I really hope you like it!! See you!! 😊

[@miguelraeder3005]

@Bob Dylan Really?

[@michaeldmusiccanada]

...oh manoman...heaven..still here after 50 yrs..and have the vinyl too !

[@kimrushing5283]

Love the VIOLIN

[@JetaimeElizabethmorganHi-qh6vw]

OH I LOVE THIS SONG ,ISNT IT A BEAUTIFUL SONG GOSH WE ARE TRULY BLESSED 🙌 THANK YOU BOB

[@verastiopul1150]

Wow Benny Goodman I've seen him in concert Love his music very much Wow Rob Stoner looks like a kid! So Benny Rob Bob Scarlette and me are in the same place this moment (2022)enjoying great music thanks to you Love this song

[@handrm]

Scarlet also relates that right before they were to go on Bob told her that he was raising the key in Oh Sister a half step to Ab, striking panic in Scarlet because they rehearsed it many times but only in G. She also said she thinks Bob did this for her benefit, so that she’d have to focus intensely on what she was playing so as to not get freaked out by the VIP audience or the thought of millions of people watching on TV. I had the great privilege of watching them do each of these songs live later that year in Lowell MA during the Rolling Thunder tour.

[@viviandarkbloom100]

Apparently that is one of Bobs favorite tricks. Clapton essentially said the same thing about playing with Bob. He would change the key or just play parts he hadn't played before. Just to keep everyone in the moment.

[@tenisalot]

Impossible! Dylan live sounding just like the studio release...and no complaints about that!

[@luvittodeath7031]

The record hadn’t even came out yet… no time to rearrange the song lol

[@dingodancer]

What's ya point.

[@luvittodeath7031]

@@dingodancer around this time, Bob would heavily rearrange songs to where they sounded nothing like the studio version, since Desire (the song this was on) hadn’t even been released yet, so it was too early to make it sound any different

[@dingodancer]

@luvittodeath7031 OK. I think I misunderstood your original comment. Sorry. By the way Desire was the album not the song.

[@dingodancer]

And @luvittodeath7031 I agree. I've never heard Dylan do a song the same way twice.

[@pietrogie505]

o beautiful Scarlet, what a great musician she is...!!!

[@silviolobsilviolob8464]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!! This song is now since nearly 50 years on of my top BD - songs. He played it also at his first concert in Germany (Dortmund) 1978. "Oh sister" is with me... All the time and also at the end. THANKS again!!!

[@susannebass1883]

So absolutely beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤

[@marakaretsos5204]

Amazing Harmonica Player 🎵🎼🎶⭐️❤️

[@marakaretsos5204]

@Bob Dylan Je te souhaite que du Bonheur 🎼🎶⭐️

[@marakaretsos5204]

@Bob Dylan je te souhaite que du Bonheur 🎼🎶

[@marakaretsos5204]

@Bob Dylan Merci.

[@jillschoenfeldwhite5534]

Thanks so much for editing and posting this beautiful performance. Your biographical information always make listening so meaningful.

[@patriciathewisher2315]

And Scarlet. Scarlet is amazing. Without her this performance would not be as exceptional as it is. A dream team. A perfect pairing. A harmonious marriage of two on the same hymn sheet. And knowing Bob, probably on the same bed sheet too. Now must go and listen to Miz Amy Winehouse singing Between The Cheats. Another jewel.

[@teedeeiss]

@Patricia Delicia - AMEN to that! Patricia is my name also. 8:44 am 5-17-23

[@PACOLUCENATANGER]

MAESTRO DE MAESTROS.

[@PACOLUCENATANGER]

TEMAZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

[@Rainerwarzecha]

These songs are my Alphabet of Music! I rely on that!

[@mistermazurk]

Amazing, thank you for uploading this.

[@miguelraeder3005]

Helloo!! I covered this song in my channel and I really hope you like it!! See you!! 😊

[@jonncockrell3606]

Super(b)! Dylan brilliant and Scarlet shiny. 1975 for a few minutes returns!

[@nosivadbor]

National treasure.

[@patriciathewisher2315]

So so so great this version

[@benjaminmcdonald5802]

That's just a song and its like sad but hearted caring or what would I know but this one is a favorite and many others love minus zero I mean damn I came after this generation but Im 60 70,s Hippie thanks for your gifts for Bobby

[@rodneyhone2220]

Beautiful song

[@anotherjoshua]

another masterful gift from swingin pig. thank you.

[@Sherrie275]

Yes, there he is. Our Poet Laureate in the making, shooting for the stars, willing to travel the distance if only he could see the map a bit clearer at this point in his life. Now we can say "Do not despair. It will come in time, and your guide may even turn out to be your own thoughts..." 🎆

[@joeshea1010]

thank you for posting

[@oddball999]

Great to see-great respect to your work- keep it Swinging.

[@benjamin2934]

Yes thanks swinging pig you have the best music of bob that I love ❤️

[@jmarsinelli6149]

Im a huge Dylan fan..love all his different eras...if someone asked me for my top 50 favorite Dylan tunes...i seriously doubt this would be there..not that i don't like o sister..its just that i like other songs more..then this version comes along..and just blows me away..so good

[@conorkennedy3304]

Bob Dylan is wildly cool.

[@cragger9358]

ahhh feels so good words dont do this justice one of his best ever

[@tracynotter7286]

No to sing from heart ,,show how he feels, the words ring true to us, brilliant ?!!

[@plutogamstrumframe]

This concert was great

[@marias.595]

Thank you much for sharing, love it ❤️ Peace & love for 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣🌿🌹

[@marias.595]

@Bob Dylan merci beaucoup monsieur Dylan, et bonne anniversaire avec un peu de retard, ça été toujours un régale de vous écouter 😉🌹👑🌹

[@JetaimeElizabethmorganHi-qh6vw]

That violin 🎻 my heart ❤️ 💙 💜 dances with you all

[@averycardosia2486]

Essentially a country band he put together. Fantastic

[@JetaimeElizabethmorganHi-qh6vw]

I LOVE MUSIC

[@annehudson800]

YEA MY BROTHER HAS SUNG THIS TO ME SINCE 1974!!!!! YEA I GET IT LOVE U AND BOBBY & DAVEY ANNIELEE

[@broscosmoline]

when you've got an understated accompaniment it's so nice to hear the true sound of the acoustic

[@Sonsational1961]

OMFG Awesome footage ... Thank you ❤

[@joeshea1010]

cannot believe that wasn't a standing ovation...

[@jimmyteo8762]

Watever hv to say alreday sd nothing else to add xcept simply AWESOME!

[@mattmccormick7443]

Best channel on KZbin.

[@barkleysgirl180]

A thoughtful song, thank you 💓

[@patriciaormsby8413]

I love this footage S.P. Thank you for the restoration.

[@freddytw206]

Thank you, i love ❤❤❤😂

[@Samu93c]

Bob is a poet.