Expecting Rain

This is a track I seem to like quite a bit. I really think its underappreciated. I've heard some good versions. What do you all think of this one? Is The MEZ way off base on this one? As usual post away with dates and such. MEZ

Bob played it a few times during the latter part of the spring '04 tour. The one I listen to is from Boone or Asheville, I can't remember.

I like UTRS more than most, but this isn't one of my favourites off the album. Just kind of goes nowhere.

Sphere, it may well be the Asheville version, that's a really good concert.

Yeah, I checked and it is Asheville. He also played it in Atlanta after that.
I was looking at the set lists from that tour and they're really varied. Tangled Up In Blue opened one of the Chicago shows.

It's unbelievable it's strange but true
It's inconceivable it could happen to you
You're going north and you're going south
Just like bait in a fish's mouth
Must be living in the shadow of some kind of evil star
It's unbelievable it would get this far.

It's unbelievable what they'd have you to think
It's indescribable it can drive you to drink
They said it was the land of milk and honey
Now they say it's the land of money
Who ever thought they'd ever make that stick
It's unbelievable you could get this rich this quick.

Every head is so dignified
Every mood is so sanctified
Every urge is so satisfied
As long as you have paid
All the silver all the gold
All the sweethearts that you can hold
That don't come back with stories untold are hanging on a tree.

It's unbelievable like a lead balloon
So impossible to even line the tomb
Kill that beast and feet that swine
Scale that wall and smoke that wine
Beat that horse and saddle up that drum
It's unbelievable the day would finally come.

Once there was a man who had no eyes
Every lady in the land told him lies
He stood beneath the silver skies
And his heart beat could plead
Every brain is civilized
Every nerve is analyzed
Everything is critized when you are in need.

It's unbelievable it's fancy-free
So interchangeable so delightful to see
Turn you back wash you hands
There's always someone who understands
It don't matter no more what you got to say
It's unbelievable it go down this way.

It reads like, though it sounds nothing like, a basement tapes track; the 3rd from the last verse in particular, doesn't it?

I agree. The apocalyptic tone, the great rhyming schemes, and yeah I'd say the overall sound. Not the production mind you, the sound. If Bob and the boys did this one in the Basement, I could hear it as a warmup for Million Dollar Bash. It certainly is one of the better songs off of Under The Red Sky. The sound of the song is what matters here. Sure the words are important, but mostly it's getting the final word of every line right and making sure the word unbelievable is heard clearly. But Bob has probably switched these lines up more than any song he's written. Doesn't matter though, it's the energy that counts. That is what makes UTRS so frustrating. Doesn't quite cut it IMO. That being said, Unbelievable is a new kind of song for Bob. It's sort of a jump blues rock song, like a Muddy Waters or Buddy Holly jive. Wiggle Wiggle and Cat's in the Well are in the same vein. This music needs a good deal of energy as well as some hot players round you, which UTRS sort of had, but...ah well, who knows what really went wrong with that album?
Anyway, there's only one great version as far as I know and it's Philadelphia 1995.
Bob did it twice in 95. Germany's good. You hear it and already it's the best version he's ever done. But then Philadelphia comes along. The whole first night is incredible. Bob's in a great mood and they're all ready for this song. Starts off tentative, but Bob quickly begins tearing it apart. His energy is incredible. And strangely it's perfectly rendered.
And the J.J. Jackson/ Bucky Baxter combo...still my candidate for best NET band. Here's a perfect example why.

http://www.humyo.com/F/9546317-734449779

Starts off with some promise, goes nowhere and dissolves rapidly after the first bridge. Tuneless and sung unimpressively.

'It's All Good' minus zero

Not very impressive on the album, but Bob played some really hot live versions c. 1992.

If you hate Bob Dylan so much why do you come here?

[Sorry, I thought Rimbaud missed this one. ]

The CD track I like...it's nice.

The music video, to me, is hilarious and I cannot stop laughing. I love it.

The Spring 2004 performances, previously noted, are incredible. Freddy did some magnificent solo work on this song (as he did on everything he played). I think these performances will be played in heaven...although, Bob may be joining Freddy on guitar...I guess that will be the decision of the Almighty One, blessed be His Name.

Tell 'em all that Tiny says hello

Having read this again for the first time in over three years, I stand by these comments. The Spring 2004 performances are Unbelievable!

Untrodden digging deep from the archives Love it! A "mad" poster he is, there may be less hope for him than I MEZ

I saw the first live performance of it. And the video is terrific. That's all.

It does rock - in a cool-music-to-have-on-in-the-background-while-you're-doing-the-housework kind of way

I always loved this verse:

"Once there was a man who had no eyes
Every lady in the land told him lies..."