Got back from seeing Bob Dylan in Tupelo a little while ago. Had never seen
him live before, but knew that you never know what to expect from one of his
shows (what he's going to play, how he will play them, etc). I'm one of
those guys that like the live performances of songs to be at least similar
to the studio version, so I went with guarded expectations.
Dylan has this sequined black suit/white Stetson going on. Seems like I've
seen him on something on TV recently dressed like that. The show opened
with 3 or 4 numbers in a bluegrass/newgrass style. The vocal harmonies were
great. Next he did a couple of rockabilly things, then bounced around
various styles, acoustic, country, blues rock, rock, etc. Nothing was in
his pre-1990's style(s).
The next to the last number was a version of "Blowin in the Wind", that took
me through the first verse into the chorus before I realized what it was.
It was wierd, but had some great vocal harmonies in it. The teenaged kid
next to me turned and asked if that song moved me like it did him. In my
best fatherly voice I said, "Son, I've been listening to Dylan since
probably 15 years before you were born. Having loved the original, I
thought it really blew." He was shocked.
The list of familiar songs he did was infinitely shorter than the list of
great songs he didn't do. I try not to complain, a man with a career
spanning 40 years has a hard time pleasing everyone. The college kids
seemed pleased, but after 4 or 5 beers, most of them would be pleased if the
California Raisins came out on stage. 3/4 of the numbers he did, I had
never heard before, so I must admit, I was somewhat dissapointed. (I'm not
so big a Dylan fan as to be awed just by his presence, though I do have
great respect for him and his career) I was impressed that you could
understand what he was saying, though.
I must admit, his performance was great. His guitar and harp playing was
good, his voice was strong for most of the show. Just wasn't quite what I
went to see.
Of course, my first mission was to see what kind of organ was going to be
played. B-3..........nope, not a console model. A spinet? No, not a
tonewheel at all. Where's the Leslie? None in sight. Hmmm, CX3, VK7, or
XK2? No, not a dedicated clone. Not even a keyboard, period. Three
guitars, bass, and drums, with one of the guitar players playing mandolin,
banjo, and pedal steel at various times. He did do "Like a Rolling Stone",
but sans organ. Bummer, I was really looking forward to some great
tonewheel playing.
Frank Stroupe
