Those who have frequented Bob Dylan concerts over the last three decades will undoubtedly know that you’ll never know what to expect. Seldom resting in any one genre, he has never been reluctant to experiment, as was the case in his highly criticised move from folk to rock’n’roll in the 60s.
It is this unpredictability and self-assuredness that brings audiences back again and again and has Dylan still touring and writing songs at age 73. Blessed with a golden pen, his lyrics have always had unique simplicity, yet run deep, rattle our nerves and inspire great imagery. A dedicated poet and minstrel, he loves touring and playing live. Since his first London tour in 1965 and the eclectic Rolling Thunder tours of the 70s, Dylan has toured every year from 1987 to 2014, playing over 2.600 shows.
This year’s tour of Australia, which finished at Sydney’s State Theatre and Opera House from the 3rd to 8th September, has been even more dynamic and better received than in recent years. With no frills, no introduction of yesteryear and no support act, Dylan and his ‘superhuman crew’ took to the stage right on 8pm, rocking the room with ‘Things Have Changed’, a song certainly worthy of its 2000 Academy Award. Dylan’s voice and delivery are clear and sharp, his phrasing mellowed and strewn with humour, wisdom and irony. His band support Dylan’s every move with ease, their pacing and volume masterfully executed with clockwork precision, never missing a beat.
“I got guys now in my band, they can whip up anything, they surprise even me”, said Dylan in an interview.
Tony Garnier plays awesome bass and is also musical director, George Receli is a great percussionist, Stu Kimball plays subtle rhythm guitar, the multi-talented Donnie Herron plays pedal steel, lap steel, electronic mandolin, banjo and violin and Charlie Sexton is an incredible lead guitarist.
“This is the best band I’ve ever been in, I’ve ever had, man for man”, Dylan also said. “When you play with guys a hundred times a year, you know what you can and can’t do, what they’re good at, whether you want ‘em there. It takes a long time to find a band of individual players”.
The set list is mostly fixed. Audiences at the Tivoli concert in Brisbane on August 27th though, were treated to seven different songs in the second half, including ‘Ballad Of A Thin Man’.
Some of Dylan’s earlier songs in the fixed set list, ‘Tangled Up In Blue’ and ‘Simple Twist Of Fate’ were blessed with lyric changes and sounded fantastic. Most of the songs were from his later albums, in particular ‘Tempest’. Dylan played some very good back up chords on his grand piano – ‘Early Roman Kings’ had him playing great blues and ‘Duquesne Whistle’ was funky and honky tonk. His harmonica was minimalist and still brings on a round of applause on the first few notes.
Every song cut through, Dylan’s voice penetrating to the soul.
Kudos to Dylan for choosing such intimate and cosy venues in Sydney, which greatly enhanced the music and atmosphere.
If you are unsure as to whether you still want to see Bob play, don’t be. He is full of surprises, he has found his most compatible musicians and he seems to have re-invented himself as forever young.