"I've been to London and I've been to gay Paree"--It's Not Dark Yet but it's getting there. 11/23/01

This slow, laid back, almost retiring version of "Not Dark Yet" is contemplative and wistful, ruefully ironic, as well as bit bitter at times. Throughout much of the performance here, Dylan sounds quietly reflective, but that calm is also punctuated by moments when his voice cracks with emotion.

His singing voice is a little ragged at times, probably not surprising as the date was the next to last show of a jam-packed fall tour that capped off a very busy year of touring overall.
On the other hand, his performance includes some sweet electric guitar riffs in between lines as he sings as well as some nice guitar interplay between Dylan and Larry Campbell during the intervals when Campbell takes over lead guitar as Dylan steps back from the mic.

"Not Dark Yet" counts among the high points of "Time Our of Mind" for many listeners. It was also featured to great effect in the film "The Wonder Boys," though not as notably as another song from that soundtrack, "Things Have Changed" -- which won Dylan an Oscar as well as a Golden Globe.

One detail I never noticed until editing this video is that the cream-colored Fender Dylan's playing is a "Bob Dylan signature model" -- with his name inlaid in light-colored script lettering on the fingerboard.