Posted on 10/06/2009 11:41:42 AM PDT by pissant
Well, this was about the dozenth time for me seeing Bob Dylan live in concert. Starting with his tour in support of Slow Train Coming in 1980 at the Paramount Theater, I've generally made the effort to see the Bard from Hibbing as he passed through the NW. Best show: a triple bill with Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell in 1998 at the Columbia River Gorge Ampitheater. The worst: Dylan touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backup band in sometime in the 1980s. Unbearable, frankly.
Fortunately, Dylan has since decided to tour with his own crack bands, and has been on a Never Ending Tour since the late 1980s.
Last nights show was darn good. It featured the return of guitarist Charlie Sexton to the band (replacing Denny Freeman) and Charlie's energy seemed to inspire Bob, based on the interplay the two had all night long. Many of the songs were the same as from the previous night's "rehearsal" show at the 1300 seat Moore Theater. This was my first show at the (soon to be renamed, I'm guessing) WaMu theater. The WaMu is really just a large exhibition hall that they roll bleachers into and hang curtains to make it into a 'theater'. Not particularly inspiring, to say the least. The good news was they did serve drinks in the lobby. The better news was that the sound was surprisingly decent. The bad news, if you want to call it that, is my wife and I thought we had seats reserved, but in fact, we had general admission (despite seat #s on the tix) so we had to stand in the cavernous floor area. (Wife is short, so not good for her viewing)
The show kicked off at 7:45 with an aggressive, stomping version of Slow Train's "Gonna Change My Way of Thinking". I doubt most folks ever heard of this tune, but it is one of the gems from Dylan's overtly Christian period (Which Don-O wrote about yesterday here on FR).
Next up was "Lay Lady Lay" with Bob on guitar. A bit louder and infinitely gruffer than the delicate studio version of Nashville Skyline, it was done well and was well received.
Then they launched into the chugging "Beyond Here Lies Nothing" from this years Together Through Life (TTL) album. Dylan was center stage with just his Harmonica which allowed him to really concentrate on the vocals. A fine version of just a so-so song, IMO.
Same for the next song, 2006's "Spirit on the Water" with Dylan on organ. Well played but more a filler to me. But for some reason the crowd seemed to enjoy it.
Bob returned to center stage with just his harp for a raucous version of 2002's "Honest with Me". For me, one of the highlights, as the band really slammed it hard and Dylan was highly animated.
Bob guitared back up for 1964's "I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)". Dylan's vocals, as gruff and hoarse as they are these days, were excellent. I enjoyed this version.
The best was next. Keeping his guitar on, Bob and the boys played, for the very first time live, TTL's "My Wife's Hometown". The tune is an old Willie Dixon blues stomp, with Bob's new funny-dark lyrics. They hit this one out of the theater, and Dylan's ragged voice was a perfect fit.
Next up, with Bob back on organ, was the rollicking "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again". Seen it many times live, seemed to please the crowd, especially due to the extra guitar umph that Sexton gave it.
The 'sparest', most intimate song of the night was TTL's "Forgetful Heart". The band quietly played acoustic guitar and bass (and congas?) while Dylan sang and blew harmonica at center stage. He put alot of effort into it, and it received one of the best ovations. Also the shortest song of the night, by far.
They quickly returned to rocking the place with TTL's "If You Ever Go To Houston". I like this texas romp song on the album, and I've seen Youtubes of it live from his summer tour, but this was by far the best version he's croaked up. And everyone on the floor was grooving.
Next up, "Highway 61". Loud, rowdy, and great, as usual.
Next: TTL's "I feel A Change Coming On". Many folks must have purchased TTL, because they responded very well to this soulful groover when it started. They nailed it this one.
"Thunder on the Mountain" from 2006's Modern Times was next. A fun, loose rocker, but the best reason for playing it is to let the band roll hard between the quickly spit out verses.
The final song before the encore was "Ballad of a Thin Man". Great version. They changed the lighting to a eerie yellow for this song and Dylan really hammered the lyrics and his harmonica. Couldn't help but think he was singing about Obama on it. LOL.
The encore consisted of the ancient but crowd pleasing "Like a Rolling Stone", the new Texas rocker "Jolene" and a powerful Hendrix-ish "All Along the Watchtower" which left the crowd wanting more. But that was it.
If you are not familiar with the evolution, or devolution, of Bob's vocal abilities, you'd probably not be impressed with his singing. But if you understand what he's doing to work with what he has left for vocals chords, you would be impressed. I was.
Very, very few in popular music, in my book, have pulled off what Dylan has. He has managed to stay not only relevant, but has made some of his best music in his latter years, despite having the gold standard of his early and mid career masterpieces for critics and fans to compare. Have the Stones released a great album since 78's Some Girls? Has McCartney made anything close to his Lennon collaborations or early Wings pop? Where did Roger Waters' muse go? Or Ray Davies, or Pete Townsand's?
The Indian casinos have a regular smorgasbord of former hit makers from the 60s, 70s and 80s passing through, trying to squeeze a last nickel from their heyday years. Dylan's heyday started in 1962 as the snot nosed Woodie Guthrie wannabee on the streets of NY, and continues to this day as a 69 year old bluesy, grizzled troubadour who shows no signs of slowing down.
That will be a looonnngg wait, I fear; but anything is possible.
Yes, that’s great, isn’t it? I can’t conceive of a mind that wrote those lyrics recanting the faith that formed them. I sure hope not. Another one I like is...
“SAVED”
I was blinded by the devil,
Born already ruined,
Stone-cold dead
As I stepped out of the womb.
By His grace I have been touched,
By His word I have been healed,
By His hand I’ve been delivered,
By His spirit I’ve been sealed.
I’ve been saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved,
Saved,
And I’m so glad.
Yes, I’m so glad,
I’m so glad,
So glad,
I want to thank You, Lord,
I just want to thank You, Lord,
Thank You, Lord.
By His truth I can be upright,
By His strength I do endure,
By His power I’ve been lifted,
In His love I am secure.
He bought me with a price,
Freed me from the pit,
Full of emptiness and wrath
And the fire that burns in it.
I’ve been saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved,
Saved,
And I’m so glad.
Yes, I’m so glad,
I’m so glad,
So glad,
I want to thank You, Lord,
I just want to thank You, Lord,
Thank You, Lord.
Nobody to rescue me,
Nobody would dare,
I was going down for the last time,
But by His mercy I’ve been spared.
Not by works,
But by faith in Him who called,
For so long I’ve been hindered,
For so long I’ve been stalled.
I’ve been saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved,
Saved,
And I’m so glad.
Yes, I’m so glad, I’m so glad,
So glad, I want to thank You, Lord,
I just want to thank You, Lord,
Thank You, Lord.
That’s straight Gospel truth. I can’t wait to read the next installment of his autobiography. I certainly hope he says something definitive. I know he enjoys his mystique and he’s entitled to it as a poet, but as a Christian we know that our “faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)
Here is Paul Schaffers’s Dylan recollections. Somewhat amusing.
Bob Dylan’s Band Camp
http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2009/10/paul-shaffer-excerpt-200910?printable=true
Maybe so. It just did not seem to fit well
Sexton and the Arc Angels at their best, playing “Too Many Ways to Fall” on Austin City Limits in 2001:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPWdLpnKknc
}:-)4
Also, isn't it sad some people think they can include in their books comments about Christianity like Wexler's -- “Oh, I wouldn’t say anything,” he (Wexler) said in a panic. “Bob takes this shit seriously.”
Yet if the tables were turned they surely would feel they "Gotta Sue Somebody."
I met Dylan once at a party and he is completely opaque. He loves that image and says he wants to be known through his music and lyrics. I take him at his word. 8~)
I saw that tour in Portland, Oregon in 86. The next year I saw Bob with the Dead. He just did not seem to have it together at these shows. I could not make out any of his lyrics.
Yeah funny from Paul Schaeffer. Dave Letterman’s bald headed stooge
Great review, PA. Thanks for the dirty details. Loved it.
Hope this makes you feel better about what Jerry Wexler said--->>>>
link
It immediately reminded me of a quote attributed to Jerry Wexler — co-producer of Slow Train Coming and Saved — which is referred to in many places (try this Google search).Scott Marshall refers to it in his book, “Restless Pilgrim“:
Full of zeal, Dylan tried to interest his other producer, Jerry Wexler, in the New Testament. Wexler responded, “I’m a sixty-two-year-old card-carrying Jewish atheist.” According to Wexler, that was the end of the discussion.
(Jerry Wexler doesn't (didn't) take any religion seriously. He died a few years ago. I have had the honor of bumping into him at a video store)
I did mind the nasty way Wexler referenced Christianity in Schaffer's book. It just doesn't seem to be a two-way street.
My interpretation of Wexler’s “he really believes this shit” is Jerry Wexler is saying it is just a passing phase. And truth be told Dylan has in fact oscillated a few times between Judaism and Christianity
When I see a Jew has become Christian I hope he does return to Judaism. Jerry might also have been thinking that. Wexler should not have used the word “shit”...you can substitute malarkey, jive or nonsense for that. You must remember Wexler was an atheist
It's the fact Schaffer put it in his book in the chapter on Dylan which seems to conclude with Schaffer's (faulty) opinion that Dylan has returned to Orthodox Judaism. I don't think he has, but that's not what Schaffer (and 90% of the music world) wants us to believe.
And truth be told Dylan has in fact oscillated a few times between Judaism and Christianity
His sons were bar mitzvahed long ago. He has a heritage just like we all do that should be honored and cherished. But I haven't seen any evidence he has returned to his Jewish faith. (And all evidence regarding Dylan should begin and end with his music which seems to be the only place he truly reveals himself, by careful intent.) All Christians could benefit from talking Scripture with Jewish rabbis. That doesn't mean they're all converting.
When I see a Jew has become Christian I hope he does return to Judaism.
If you're Jewish, I can understand that. And you spoke those words without rancor or insult. As my Calvinist husband reminds me, Jews don't organize and murder entire populations of men and women.
Jews argue. And I like to argue. 8~)
I don’t mind Wexler saying it (although I doubt he’d take kindly to the comment in reverse.) .....................
You could not be more wrong. Wexler called himself a 62 year old Jewish atheist. If you said to him “What do you think of all that Old Testament shit” I think he would have said “It is comforting nonsense to many. I was brought up believing it”
If you're Jewish, I can understand that. And you spoke those words without rancor or insult. As my Calvinist husband reminds me, Jews don't organize and murder entire populations of men and women.
Yep I'm Jewish
The general attitude among Jews is "the Jewish population is small so it's a shame to lose one to Christianity because we need all the Jews we can get"
Plus when guys say "shit" they don't have to literally mean "shit". It can mean nonsense or stuff
Guys say "Get your shit out of here" means remove your belongings. It does not necessarily denigrate those belongings
lol. I know DOZENS of "62 year old Jewish atheists." Maybe tens of dozens. And they all happily joke among themselves about Judaism. But let a goy make a remark and they bleed just like Shakespeare said.
I don't blame them. I think that's understandable.
I can understand that. Much of the world conspires to finish what Hitler nearly accomplished. Every Christian and every Jew should be on guard against that evil. It's all around us.
Plus when guys say "shit" they don't have to literally mean "shit". It can mean nonsense or stuff
Having had a father whose every other word was just as you write, I understand your point. I just think if the comment went the other way Jews would likewise take offense. I think that just comes with being in the minority.
Excellent review pissant. Thanks for the post.
There must be some Jewish tribalism otherwise Jews would have ceased to exist long ago. Plus with only 14 million Jews in the world .....so I think (logically) you act a bit defensive. The big Jewish mistake is being defensive about Christianity when it must be Islam. The Israeli Jews know this better than the hot house flower Jews of America.
This country is so big and wealthy that you can stake out any absurd position and you will find thousands or millions that agree with you. So here you will find the leftist Jews saying the worst things about Israel. I would like to fly them over the West Bank and kick them out of the helicopter
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