Listen: Previously Unreleased Live Rendition of Bob Dylan and The Band’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues”

September 6, 2024
Listen: Previously Unreleased Live Rendition of Bob Dylan and The Band’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues”

Photo Credit: Berry Feinstein

Today, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, Columbia Records, and Legacy Recordings have released a previously unheard live performance of “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 30, 1974, by the combined musical force: Bob Dylan and The Band. The final advanced track from the impending collection featuring every professionally recorded show from Dylan’s 1974 arena tour with The Band, dubbed The 1974 Live Recordings, the set is due in full on September 20.

The set presents 431 recordings, 417 of which have never been heard before and represent choice material on the road, rarities, and others performed in the wake of Dylan’s return to touring nearly a decade after the 1966 motorcycle accident–an incident that resulted in the artist withdrawing from the live circuit. The historic tour trajectory culminated in 30 live shows performed over 40 days, showcasing the live might and tenacity to keep turning out memorable evenings of music. 

The delivery of the impending set will coincide with the tour’s 50th anniversary, adding a celebratory flair to the collection. In conjunction with the forthcoming drop, Third Man Records has announced the September release of The 1974 Live Recordings – The Missing Songs From Before the Flood, a 3-LP / 1 x 7-inch set pulled from the same recordings, with hand-selected versions of every song Dylan recorded that was not included on the original 1974 live album.

Today’s preview highlights Dylan and The Band’s take on “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” a number scribed by the Minnesota-born bard and initially released on his sixth studio album, High 61 Revisited. Sticking to the composition’s original jangle, the touring group applied a bigger band feel to the fan-favorite number with added instrumentalists for a fuller, livelier delivery fit for stages like Madison Square Garden. 

Pre-order The 1974 Live Recordings. Listen to “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” below.

Tracklist:

DISC 1

January 3, 1974 – Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL

1. Hero Blues

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Tough Mama

4. It Ain’t Me, Babe

5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

6. All Along the Watchtower

7. Song to Woody

8. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

9. Nobody ‘Cept You

10. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

11. Forever Young

12. Something There Is About You

13. Like a Rolling Stone

14. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 2

January 4, 1974 – Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL

1. Hero Blues

2. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

3. It Ain’t Me, Babe

4. Tough Mama

5. Ballad of a Thin Man

6. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

7. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

8. The Times They Are A-Changin’

9. Love Minus Zero/No Limit

10. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

11. Nobody ‘Cept You

12. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

13. Maggie’s Farm

DISC 3

January 6, 1974 (Afternoon) – The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA

1. Ballad of Hollis Brown

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. It Ain’t Me, Babe

5. Tough Mama

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. To Ramona

11. Mama, You Been on My Mind

12. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

13. Nobody ‘Cept You

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

16. Forever Young

17. Something There Is About You

18. Like a Rolling Stone

DISC 4

January 6, 1974 (Evening) – The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. It Ain’t Me, Babe

5. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue

12. Song to Woody

13. Mr. Tambourine Man

14. Nobody ‘Cept You

15. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

16. Forever Young

17. Something There Is About You

18. Like a Rolling Stone

19. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 5

January 7, 1974 – The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. It Ain’t Me, Babe

5. I Don’t Believe You

(She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. Just Like a Woman

11. Girl from the North Country

12. Wedding Song

13. Nobody ‘Cept You

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 6

January 9, 1974 – Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. It Ain’t Me, Babe

5. It Take a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. Just Like a Woman

11. Girl from the North Country

12. Wedding Song

13. Nobody ‘Cept You

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 7

January 11, 1974 – Montreal Forum, Montreal, Canada

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Gates of Eden

13. Nobody ‘Cept You

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 8

January 14, 1974 (Afternoon) – Boston Gardens, Boston, MA

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. It Ain’t Me, Babe

5. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Gates of Eden

13. Just Like a Woman

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 9

January 15, 1974 – Capital Centre, Largo, MD

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Wedding Song

13. Just Like a Woman

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 10

January 16, 1974 – Capital Centre, Largo, MD

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. One Too Many Mornings

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Gates of Eden

13. Nobody ‘Cept You

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 11

January 17, 1974 – Coliseum, Charlotte, NC

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Gates of Eden

13. Just Like a Woman

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 12

January 19, 1974 (Afternoon) – Hollywood Sportatorium, Hollywood, FL

1. All Along the Watchtower

2. Ballad of Hollis Brown

3. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

4. The Times They Are A-Changin’

5. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

6. Gates of Eden

7. Just Like a Woman

8. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

9. Forever Young

10. Something There Is About You

11. Like a Rolling Stone

12. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 13

January 21, 1974 – The Omni, Atlanta, GA

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Gates of Eden

13. Just Like a Woman

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 14

January 22, 1974 – The Omni, Atlanta, GA

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. Ballad of Hollis Brown

8. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

9. The Times They Are A-Changin’

10. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

11. Gates of Eden

12. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue

13. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

14. Forever Young

15. Something There Is About You

16. Like a Rolling Stone

17. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 15

January 26, 1974 (Afternoon) – Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, TX

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Gates of Eden

13. Just Like a Woman

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 16

January 26, 1974 (Evening) – Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, TX

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Gates of Eden

13. Just Like a Woman

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Something There Is About You

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

DISC 17

January 30, 1974 – Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. All Along the Watchtower

5. Ballad of Hollis Brown

6. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – released on Before the Flood

7. The Times They Are A-Changin’

8. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

9. Gates of Eden

10. Just Like a Woman

11. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – Incomplete

12. Forever Young

13. Something There Is About You

14. Like a Rolling Stone

15. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

16. Blowin’ in the Wind

DISC 18

January 31, 1974 (Afternoon) – Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY

1. All Along the Watchtower

2. Ballad of Hollis Brown

3. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

4. The Times They Are A-Changin’

5. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

6. Gates of Eden – Incomplete

7. Forever Young

8. Highway 61 Revisited – released on A Musical History (The Band)

9. Like a Rolling Stone – Incomplete

DISC 19

January 31, 1974 (Evening) – Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

5. It Ain’t Me, Babe

6. Ballad of a Thin Man

7. All Along the Watchtower – Incomplete

8. Ballad of Hollis Brown

9. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

10. The Times They Are A-Changin’

11. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

12. Gates of Eden

13. Just Like a Woman

14. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

15. Forever Young

16. Highway 61 Revisited

17. Like a Rolling Stone

18. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

19. Blowin’ in the Wind

DISC 20

February 9, 1974 (Afternoon) – Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

2. Lay, Lady, Lay

3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

4. All Along the Watchtower

5. Ballad of Hollis Brown

6. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

7. She Belongs to Me

8. The Times They Are A-Changin’

9. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

10. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

11. Wedding Song

12. Forever Young

13. Highway 61 Revisited

DISC 21

February 9, 1974 (Evening) – Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA

1. The Times They Are A-Changin’

2. Just Like a Woman

3. Wedding Song