The Bob Dylan Report

A few weeks ago, Cindy and I had the following conversation:

Cindy: "Is Dylan going to sing a lot of his old stuff at the concert? The acoustic songs? That's the Dylan I like."

Me (shaking head): "That guy's not gonna show up. Even if he does some of his old stuff, it won't sound the same."

Cindy: "But...that's what I like!"

Me: "Would you want to sing 'The Times, They Are A-Changin'' the same way for 40 years?"

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Dylan took the stage Friday night, opening with "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35," which wasn't too surprising. He also continued his habit of singing in a style I call "Delayed, non-sustained catch-up." Lots of performers do this, but none more than Bob. It works on just about any song: you wait until a few beats after the vocal should begin and run the words together in a mad dash, obliterating any possibility of sustained notes (or for that matter, melodic content).

I'm used to this from live Dylan, so it was no surprise. But what did surprise me was Dylan's voice sounding like a foghorn trapped inside a tuba. It was really awful. (Yes, more than usual.) I wondered if he was sick or was about to be sick onstage, expecting him to sing "Everybody must get stoned, starting with me."

The next few tunes didn't really improve much and I was beginning to sense Cindy's disappointment.

But Bob bounced back from whatever ailment had assaulted him with a strong "Rollin' and Tumblin'" from Modern Times, which sounded much better than the earlier tunes. It always seems Dylan is more focused on his newer songs in concert, almost like he's trying harder. Or if he's doing an older tune, he usually sings more coherently if he's fooled around with the arrangement (which he did a few times Friday night).

OLD DYLAN JOKE:

Q: What's the hardest job in the world?

A: Sign language interpreter at a Bob Dylan concert.

Dylan kept with his recent practice of playing his electric guitar on the first three numbers before relegating himself to the keyboard. Maybe he's gotten to the point where he feels more comfortable in the black suit and pale gray hat without the guitar weighing him down. (He's a pretty thin dude, after all, and at age 66 you can't afford to take too many chances. I think just showing up is commendable.)

I guess Columbia, Maryland is close enough to Washington DC for Dylan to sing "Masters of War" in a slow, mournful blues that was one of the show's highlights for me. The main highlight was Dylan's band, the best I've heard him take on the road: absolutely tight moving with incredible drive and energy, and featuring blistering soloists.

Bottom line: Cindy and I both enjoyed it. She even said she'd like to see him again. Much more to write, but since few Dylan enthusiasts are reading (Hi, Trent), I'll just close with the set list. Good to see you again, Bob. Try some hot tea with honey.

SET LIST (* = harmonica)

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

Simple Twist of Fate*

Rollin' and Tumblin'

Workingman's Blues #2

Desolation Row

Beyond the Horizon*

Honest With Me

When the Deal Goes Down*

Highway 61

Ain't Talkin'

Summer Days

Masters of War

ENCORES

Thunder on the Mountain

Blowin' in the Wind*