EVERY GRAIN OF BAND… IT TAKES A LOT TO WATCH, BUT JUST LISTEN
Updated insights into Bob on his almost-never ending tour
We are reviewing the reviews as Dylan, at 80, gets ‘rough and rowdy’ on the road … and this is the first video we’ve seen that’s survived the robots of internet control.
There is a dichotomy of attitude towards copyright and sharing on the internet in 2021 … the spiders might as well be from Mars and the robots wield a sword of control as draconian as Damocles.
It could be Bob’s people of course throwing a cloak over the stolen moments of his concerts – and quite right they should too.
But bootlegging has been a major part of Ol’ Bob’s career, it gave him an underground reputation, made people hungry for his work and helped us feel that we were part of something special.
And we were – we were a part of the confusing, passionate world of imagery, angst and fabulousness that Bob had created.
We felt closer to him because we’d become the elite, the fans who got the latest from his world first.
So, from being stuck inside a mobile with the Chicago blues again, we’re sharing this video.
Below too are a selection of the first reviews as Bob Dylan hits the road again on his Never Ending Tour … if you’ve managed to see him over the last week or so, share your thoughts here.
REVIEWS and preamble
Bob Dylan stepped back onto the stage after two years of ‘incarceration’ and gave a Cheshire Cat-grinning, ear churning, heartbreakingly beautiful two hour performance down at the Riverside in Milwaukee…
Andrea and I were still on the highway in Spain as Ol’ Bob took to the stage. It was 10am where we were in the blustery Autumn heat and 8pm in a Milwaukee chill as he walked out to meet his audience again.
He was dodging wires and speakers and posing hand on hip in his oversize David Byrne-style white jacket like a good’n.
Yep, he’s 80 and sometimes he can look doddery and as fragile as his famous wet-fish handshake … but he’s still going, still creating, still confounding, still writing, still rocking and still finding new ways to be Bob Dylan.
And this time he is the poet of Rough and Rowdy Ways.
And then there is of course his new voice. It’s new but it’s been everywhere, told a million stories and hung out so many brilliant lines to dry.
No, nobody can ever take that away from him … and in Milwaukee he made his voice famous again.
Next he joined the other legends in Chicago …
After we unpacked our dusty old car at the castle in Lorca where we were staying, I trawled around the net for reviews.
I didn’t find one dissenting voice… just fans who confirmed that Bob is back – looking a little bit older it has to be said – but performing brilliantly, singing like a dream and rocking the world’s expectations.
Let’s begin with Chicago as he finds his feet
On Bill Pagel’s Bob Links, Adam Selzer wrote:
CHICAGO: “I’m amazed at how clear his vocals are; all traces of the wolfman growl of a few years back are gone, except when he needs them. “I Contain Multitudes” was the highlight of the night for me. Instead of spending most of it at the piano, consulting the lyric sheets, Bob was center stage the whole song, clearly enjoying himself and really acting the song out, prowling around at a crouch like a cartoon character. “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” the first surprise of the night, was bouncy and loose. “Bob tried to do “Black Rider” from center as well, but forgot a couple of lines in the first verse and moved back to piano for most of it. The flub seemed to cost him some confidence, though the rest of the lines were well delivered. This show really does sleep with life and death in the same bed.” Mark S wrote: “I saw Bob Dylan in 2021 and it was like seeing your grandpa, who you love very much, walking a tight rope. It was captivating, I was rooting for him, and it was extremely entertaining to see him succeed.!
Bob Shiel:
“Bob Dylan came to Chicago tonight, perfectly timing his customary week-within-Halloween appearance in the Windy City, historically one of his most visited venues in his illustrious career as a live performer. But this wasn't any ole Bob Dylan show. This tour is all about Rough and Rowdy Ways. Although all these songs sound good live, I Contain Multitudes and Key West stand out as stellar melodic arrangements with mesmerizing lyrics, which Bob is delivering quite intelligibly. I saw no evidence of the lyric or sheet music reliance reported in Milwaukee on night 1 of the tour. The overall sound of the band is similar to that fantastic Fall 2019 tour, and new drummer Charlie Drayton almost imperceptibly follows Bob and the rest of the band, allowing Bob, at 80, to not have to strain to be heard over the other 5 members of the band. The magic of Bob's veteran multi-instrumentalist Donnie Herron was evident on When I Paint My Masterpiece when his fiddle played off Bob's piano beautifully. Bob Britt is back. As for the new guitarist, Doug Flavio, who is technically filling the legendary shoes of Charlie Sexton, although that ain't happening, one gets the feeling he will play a more and more prominent role as his first tour progresses. After introducing the band, something he hasn't done for what seems like forever, Bob said something like, "We love Chicago, just like you do." Well, the feeling goes for you, too, Bob. We really do love you and wish you all health and happiness in this world so lucky to still have you in its midst.”
FROM MILWAUKEE:
Isabel Infantes said: “There’s no doubt that Tuesday show at Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater was the start of something very new, very different, and very bold.”
Tom Wilmeth, on the same site, said: “Nobody seemed happier about things than Bob himself, with facial expressions that were frequently joyous. Dylan was in good voice, and the sound mix was excellent – both Dylan’s lyrics and his piano were
clearly heard. “The night began with “Watching the River Flow,” a minor radio hit in 1971. Maybe Bob was using this number to tell us what he had been doing during his time off – nothing. “Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine” followed. . “Bob interspersed tunes recognizable to even casual fans. He played “Simple Twist of Fate” and “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” as well as a rocking version of “Gotta Serve Somebody.” Dylan touched on his later catalog with “Early Roman Kings” and “Soon After Midnight,” “When Bob made his way from piano to center stage – he looked fragile, and at times unsteady on his feet but we still have Bob with us; let’s enjoy him today. We may not see him tomorrow” Don Romundson wrote: “The show at the Riverside was unbelievable. It was clear from the start that this was going to be a very special show. In fact, Bob did a sort of a bow to the crowd, in Bob's own way, after each song, an acknowledgment if you will, his stand at center stage gazing out, very appreciative of the crowd...”
Adam Selzer had this to say: “Bob seemed a bit nervous as he began “I Contain Multitudes”. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him look nervous before. But the performance was solid, and on “False Prophet” he was grinning, pointing, and seeming as though he was having a blast. Like he couldn’t wait for us to hear what line he’d sing next.”
Me, well I’m just glad to say that we’ve not seen the last of Bob’s winks and feints and his stunning panache. And the old man is back again, taking all the indefinable qualities that make him the true genius of this and the last century around the world again.
Good on ya Bob!
#bob #bobdylan #neverending #neverendingtour #2021 #roughandrowdyways
5 Replies to “EVERY GRAIN OF BAND… IT TAKES A LOT TO WATCH, BUT JUST LISTEN”
I’m sending this straight to you,every other way gets lost!! Bob sounds amazing 😍 he’s doing what he loves and any clips I’ve seennot one has been a let down,arise Mr Dylan long may he reign, fabulous hope he comes back to the UK soon ❤️ xx
In Bloomington getting ready for tonight’s show, the first of five in a row. Really pumped. It’s been since The Beacon in 2019 for me.
If you would like to write a few words about the concert, we’d love to publish them Sam!
Hello Leigh:
This is not really a comment meant for your board, but I just wanted to write and thank you for referencing my Milwaukee Dylan concert review, as posted on Bill’s Expecting Rain page. It now also shows-up on the regular outlet for my writing, the SomethingElse! music site.
Best,
Tom Wilmeth
Hi Tom,
It just seemed so few people were actually talking properly about the new concerts … and people like me, because of location, will have to wait a long time ’til the tour gets round to us! So, let’s see what people are saying – and your voice was good and positive!
If you ever feel like ‘guesting’ on here, send me some of your work – on Dylan or not – and let’s tell people your thoughts etc!
Cheers
Leigh