I’ve heard a lot of people gripe after seeing Bob Dylan live, and the story is always the same: nothing sounds like it used to.
I can think of a few answers to that complaint, not the least of which is this: Bob Dylan, perhaps more than anyone else in the whole of the music industry, has earned the right to do whatever the hell he pleases. Only when you can name another musician with a career as long and illustrious, a catalog as massive and memorable, or a persona as mythic, can you criticize his choices.
And if you saw him Saturday night at Jacob’s Pavilion, one thing is clear: Bob still knows best.
Dylan kicked off his set with “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” and when he sang the familiar chorus, lighters zipped on all over the crowd. The night saw Zimmerman on organ, harmonica, guitar, and hands free with remarkable stage presence at the mic.
This was a Bob who looked markedly younger than on previous tours — and his set list reached back into his younger years too, with surprising, early ’60s protest tunes like “The Ballad of Hollis Brown” and “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll.”
This article appears in Aug 3-9, 2011.
About an hour ago I read a different concert review of Bob Dylan in Cleveland. I’m from the South and spend of lot of my time at the Alabama Gulf. I’ve met many ‘snowbirds’ from Cleveland who spend the winters with us down here, including my own sister and brother-in-law who finally nested at the coast after years of ‘birding.’ I was about to conclude that one reason, in addition to the coastal weather, that many folks from Cleveland leave for Alabama is John Soeder. If he’s the best that Cleveland can offer in his review and opinions regarding one of the icons of the Snowbird Generation (Dylan), then I would leave, too. We boomers who have followed Dylan since the 60s appreciate him for what he is now. I am one of the oldtimers who dance in the aisle, and I hope at somewhere between age 62 and 70, Mr. Soeder will be dancing to the icon of his generation!
Thank you for this respectful review of Mr. Dylan that many mellow, coastal Southern baby-boomers agree with. Come on down!
Dylan’s show kicked ass. Plain and simple.
Thanks! Was waiting for a review 🙂
PURE BLISS!
It was a great concert! Both Dylan and the band were”on”, interactive, and masters of their craft. The span and order of songs from the 60’s to Modern Times was superbly chosen to provide an excellent pace and rhythm for the overall show. The band set up some really nice syncopation on a number of songs that was truly exceptional. And it wasn’t just a rehash, all of the songs seemed like creative interpretive covers with updated beats or accents; very pleasing and interesting also. Loved Dylan especially at the mike, on harmonica, and on his guitar, and he seemed to be really enjoying himself on the keyboards.
The worst concert ever! I was at the Fraze, Kettering Ohio show on 8/5. Having been a Dylan fan since 1963, especially enjoying the small concerts of just Bob and his guitar, I had some problems adjusting when he went electric. Those shows rocked however, even the one in Denver when he played the first set with his back to the audience. It was still great musically. This show on August 5, 2011 was one big garbled mess. All of the music sounded the same in each song, way too much base. Even as a long time fan with all of his music memorized, I couldn’t recognize a note or word for that matter. My tickets ended up being $80 each too. It was fun seeing Bob and the interesting mix of people. Marita C