Blasters of War … never-ending hope as Bob’s mate Charlie joins Ukraine protest

Rocker asks Putin ‘is your money that good …’ as her band members fights on Europe’s streets of death (see video inside)

The lanky musician who has brought an element of punk blues to Dylan’s performances over the past decades has stepped into the spotlight of war.

Charlie Sexton, the six feet three inches tall, string-bean meastro of some of Bob’s most creative work took to the stage with a singer from the Ukraine to perform Masters of War.

It was performed as a pointed statement to the Madman of Moscow who has brought the world to the brink…

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire

Then you sit back and watch
While the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
While the young peoples’ blood

Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

Charlie lives in Austin, Texas, where the venue for the SXSW regular showcase is held. And the ‘walk down the road’ to join Oleksandra Zaritska – known as Sasha – on stage was a dramatic moment of emotion, conviction that showed Dylan’s words from more than half a century ago still ring true.

Just prior to Sexton strolling on stage she said “I have a message to Putin: It’s a song from Bob Dylan and its name is ‘Masters of War.’

Sasha turned to Charlie for her cue because, while its message is indelible, she couldn’t remember all the lyrics in English.

But the lyrics couldn’t help resonate.

Sasha, was the only member of electronic-folk band Kazka able to attend the showcase. Bandmates were made to stay in Ukraine to fight or volunteer to help people.

Charlie Sexton was hired by Bob Dylan to replace Bucky Baxter in 1999. Sexton had previously played with Dylan during a pair of Austin, Texas, concerts in 1991.

Before the performance Sasha told how she had witnessed Russian bombs falling on her hometown of Kyiv.

She told the audience: “You can stop this war. Use your voice.”

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