Austin Music Source

By T

August 21, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this

What happen to the ARC Angels?

By Ross Smith

August 21, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this

Great news and certainly a new phase for the band. I enjoyed Mr. Freeman’s playing and imagine he was likely suppressed from shredding on solos by Mr. “Jack Frost” Dylan.

Mr. Sexton fills a hole in the guitar, and hopefully Mr. Dylan will allow him to add vocal harmonies, which have been long absent in the arrangements.

By Tom Palaima

August 21, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this

Now all we have to do is convince Bob to bring back Larry Campbell and also start singing at least a few songs each set that are not his own compositions and in harmony with others, as in the great days with Campbell, Bucky Baxter and then Charlie Sexton.

Then Bob Dylan and His Band will be humming again.

Bob needs to remember his roots: “Down in the Mines,” “Roving Gambler,” “20-20 Vision,” “Not Fade Away,” “House of Gold,” Early Morning Rain,” “Fenario,” “Duncan and Brady.” Some Elizabeth Cotten and Woodie wouldn’t be bad either.

Having seen the show in the Woodlands, which was the first time ever I thought a Dylan show was ‘perfunctory’ and then seeing the liftoff at Dell Diamond, I am very glad that this has happened.

I am, however, sorry for Denny Freeman. He brought a lot of understated blues power and clean spare lines to Bob’s songs.

By Nichole

August 21, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this

I’m going to miss Denny. I enjoyed him so much at the shows.

By ArcAngelsFan

August 21, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this

NO!! I understand why Dylan wants him back, but Charlie Sexton just reunited the Arc Angels with Doyle Bramhall II. All of us Arc Angel Fans have been waiting for this for years & years & we want it to last, not get sidetracked by other projects!

By andrew

August 22, 2009 5:57 AM | Link to this

Thank gods! cant stand Freeman..NOW, if he would just lose the rest of the band, he can have a LONG overdue fresh start!

By Greg

August 22, 2009 6:40 AM | Link to this

Great News!!! I hope they make it to Australia. The best Dylan show I’ve seen was with Sexton in the band.

By tarantula

August 22, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

I hope this rumor is true! Charlie is an awesome guitar player and having him back in the band would be wonderful. Especially since I already have tickets for the Hollywood Paladium.

By Jackson

August 22, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this

I’m an Arc Angels fan, too, but I wouldn’t characterize touring the globe as the lead guitar player for Bob Dylan as getting “sidetracked.”

By lousybuck

August 22, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

This is fantastic news. This band may be competent but it doesn’t burn like the Campbell/Sexton band did. Just seeing the YouTubes of Charlie and Bob in Austin gave me goosebumps.

By napaloo

August 22, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

Whoooeeee!! just caught Dylan’s last 2 shows (stockton and tahoe) and commented several times how much i wished charlie was playing. denny was adequate, but not charlie…CAN’T WAIT FOR BERKLEY!!!

By Brian

August 22, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this

To me, the best Dylan band will always be: Bucky Baxter, Larry Campbell, David Kemper, and Tony Garnier. That was the group in around 98-99 or so. I think Bucky was the first to leave. But they were tremendous together. Only Garnier, the Never-Ending Bassist, remains!

By Kevin

August 23, 2009 6:59 AM | Link to this

The main thing is Dylan needs to quit the keyboard. When he played guitar, he added alot of character and personality to his sound. That is absent when he plays keys.

By ArcAngelsFan

August 23, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this

Granted…Just don’t want to see the Arc Angels go away any time soon after waiting so long. Recently had the absolute pleasure of seeing them @ HOB in California, where we are treated to so much shallow crap & so little real talent. The Arc Angels are true magic to see live. :)

By dan kurtz

August 23, 2009 5:55 PM | Link to this

i agree with kevin. it would be nice to see bob on a couple songs at piano. seeing him play alone with just acoustic guitar is perhaps too much to wish for, but we can all wish. i just saw him in lake elsinore and found myself longing for the band from 97—2000. much better setlists etc but any bob is better than no bob.

By james

August 23, 2009 10:49 PM | Link to this

All news is good news with Bob’s latest band decisions. Every one of his band members has added something interesting to the shows I’ve seen. Thanks to Bob and all involved. peace!

By Doug

August 26, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this

Thank you God!!! I think Denny is one of, if not THE, worst guitarist to have ever played with Bob, with the possible exception of Freddy Koella. I know there are people that like Denny, and I can see how what I might be saying here will rub them wrong, but there is little doubt whether you like Denny or not that the band needs a shot in the arm and Charlie is worlds better than Denny.

By Chris Interrante

August 27, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this

“understated blues power”. Nice. Whoever said this truly understands Denny Freeman; one of the blues greats, period.

By hoyt clagwell

September 22, 2009 9:26 PM | Link to this

Denny Freeman the worst guitarist to play with Dylan? Ridiculous. Denny is a hell of a guitarist and all around musician. It’s Bob’s loss. Nothing against Sexton, but the Arc Angels bore me, especially Doyle Bramhall Jr’s miscreant stare.