It's been 25 years since I first started attending Bob Dylan concerts, and in some circles that makes me just a beginner. Over many years and three continents, this was a night worth waiting for! Encouraged by great reviews of Dylan's recent European tour, the audience flocked to witness the touted return to form. First we were treated to Paul Kelly, who performed an excellent set aided and abetted by Vika and Linda Bull. Then it was on to His Bobness who did not disappoint the faithful, although still baffled the innocent newbies. It must be accepted now, as the Never Ending Tour lurches on in its 13th year, that Dylan will not sing the original melody of any but the most recent of his songs. Not content with merely reworking the arrangements, like a jazzman improvising a new tune to a familiar set of chords, he stretches the boundaries. If that's what it takes for him to continue to deliver those magical lyrics, then so be it. After all, it was never about the music, man!
At the age of 59, he looks back on a huge catalogue of songs. Every night the set list changes; some classics, some obscure. Tonight we got a blistering Highway 61 Revisited and All Along The Watchtower, a rollicking Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat, and many full-band acoustic numbers including Mama, You Been On My Mind. Twenty songs in two hours - I saw him smile and it made me happy. May the tour truly Never End.
By Bob Howe Special thanks to Michael Chugg Entertainment Visit Bob Links for more tour news and the complete set list.
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