13 Comments
User's avatar
The FM Club's avatar

Excellent interview! These deep personal insights and interactions are incredibly interesting and revealing.

Expand full comment
Toronto99's avatar

Ray, Charlie had previous commitments of concerts and television appearances with the Court Yard Hounds (Dixie Chicks side project) which is why Colin filled in for those shows. Here he is with the band on Letterman on July 17, 2013:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfc_SteCBrQ

Expand full comment
Ray Padgett's avatar

Good intel!

Expand full comment
Rob Patterson's avatar

I first met Colin when he was a 16-year-old six-string virtuso at the Mariposa Folk Festival, and the greatness of his accomplishments comes as no surprise. It was obvious back then he had the gift.

Expand full comment
Alias Anything You Please's avatar

THIS is the guy every band should want: a master of multiple instruments and styles, overflowing with love for the opportunity to make music and zero drama. The Consummate Professional: Colin Linden.

Expand full comment
Joe Cox's avatar

Always enjoy these interviews. I do admit, my jaw fell a little with the Buddy Miller talk. Buddy is one of my all-time favorites. Saw him live in the 2000s and he opened his encore with a great "When I Paint My Masterpiece." Would have LOVED to see him in Dylan's band anytime.

Expand full comment
Noel M's avatar

Damn! Yeah! Ray, this might be my fave inteview yet of yours, both for Colin's observations and also the way you asked the right follow-up question or had the right bit of info in your back pocket when needed, as always.

And how about that Irvine clip from August 3rd, the second clip?

Just look at Bob, man! Colin in gunslinger mode behind him there, closely tracking everything either Bob or George or Tony is doing, every second. That indeed seems to be the key.

This is another case where you interviewed someone I didn't remember (because the one Bob show I saw in 2013 was the infamous Atlanta one where it almost seemed Bob was going to fire Duke onstage that night), but Colin's a guy with a lot of fascinating insights, along with his own history of playing with Howlin' Wolf and others. Loved how Colin refers to "representing Toronto" and his connection to The Band.

Great stuff.

Expand full comment
Roberta Rakove's avatar

Great interview, Ray. It gives so many wonderful insights.

Expand full comment
Graley Herren's avatar

Love this conversation, Ray. Colin does Toronto proud, and Nashville, too. How did I not know that it's Garth on piano and Richard on organ on "The Weight"?

Expand full comment
Duncan Floyd's avatar

Great interview

Expand full comment
The Joker and the Thief's avatar

Thanks again Ray, this was a great read! Trev

Expand full comment
Brad Riesau's avatar

Wonderful look back at a fascinating period. Uniquely diverse. Great insight from Colin and the clips are a joy. Thanks as always.

Expand full comment
ROBERT CATALIOTTI's avatar

That's a great interview. Linden is very insightful in the way he describes how Dylan runs the band. If I remember correctly, I saw shows on that tour with Robillard, Sexton, and Linden; they each brought something distinctive to the performance.

Expand full comment