Bob Dylan Live

brianlux

My take is, go for it.  But don't go with any expectations beyond knowing that you will be seeing a living legend.  Honor that, and hope you get in on one of the better shows.    I've only seen Dylan once and it was when he was touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band.  It probably doesn't get any better than that these days but remember, the man is 78 years old!

And this leads me to the point where I need to vent a bit here.  I've read too many posts on these forums about people bitching about "what a shitty show Bob put on".   I heard the same weak whining from people who saw B. B. King is his last years and didn't get the stellar show they expected.   That kind of attitude at seeing an elderly performer is childish at best.  Who here will be able to perform the work they did in their 20's through 50's or 60's as well when they are 78?  I can't.  I can't do one damn thing as well as I could in my prime and I'm 10 years younger than Bob Dylan. 

In the mid 80's I saw Dizzy Gillespie play at a jazz festival in Berkeley.  Dizzy was old and getting a bit frail and no way did he blow that horn like he did with Bird in the 50's but, man, what a thrill to see that great legend play!  And the crowd showed due respect, big time. 

I missed seeing one of the greatest American music legends ever by just a few weeks because I'd waited too long.  Duke Ellington.  By the time I got tickets for a show it was too late.  That show was cancelled due to Ellington being sick and he died two weeks later.  If I had gone a little earlier and he had played only a fraction as well as he did in his prime I would not have cared one tiny bit.  I would have gotten to see the great Duke Ellington. 

So go, have a great time and be thankful you had the chance!

JPPJ84

brianlux said:

My take is, go for it.  But don't go with any expectations beyond knowing that you will be seeing a living legend.  Honor that, and hope you get in on one of the better shows.    I've only seen Dylan once and it was when he was touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band.  It probably doesn't get any better than that these days but remember, the man is 78 years old!

And this leads me to the point where I need to vent a bit here.  I've read too many posts on these forums about people bitching about "what a shitty show Bob put on".   I heard the same weak whining from people who saw B. B. King is his last years and didn't get the stellar show they expected.   That kind of attitude at seeing an elderly performer is childish at best.  Who here will be able to perform the work they did in their 20's through 50's or 60's as well when they are 78?  I can't.  I can't do one damn thing as well as I could in my prime and I'm 10 years younger than Bob Dylan. 

In the mid 80's I saw Dizzy Gillespie play at a jazz festival in Berkeley.  Dizzy was old and getting a bit frail and no way did he blow that horn like he did with Bird in the 50's but, man, what a thrill to see that great legend play!  And the crowd showed due respect, big time. 

I missed seeing one of the greatest American music legends ever by just a few weeks because I'd waited too long.  Duke Ellington.  By the time I got tickets for a show it was too late.  That show was cancelled due to Ellington being sick and he died two weeks later.  If I had gone a little earlier and he had played only a fraction as well as he did in his prime I would not have cared one tiny bit.  I would have gotten to see the great Duke Ellington. 

So go, have a great time and be thankful you had the chance!

Please forgive my childish bitching. I recognize the man is 78 and what consequences that might bring.
But! If a performer puts himself out there and charges a whole lot of money he’s got to live with different opinions. I think different opinions are valid and that I as a consumer have the right to say that to me, his performance sucked. In the end I think Bob can handle the criticism. 

Gern Blansten

brianlux said:

My take is, go for it.  But don't go with any expectations beyond knowing that you will be seeing a living legend.  Honor that, and hope you get in on one of the better shows.    I've only seen Dylan once and it was when he was touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band.  It probably doesn't get any better than that these days but remember, the man is 78 years old!

And this leads me to the point where I need to vent a bit here.  I've read too many posts on these forums about people bitching about "what a shitty show Bob put on".   I heard the same weak whining from people who saw B. B. King is his last years and didn't get the stellar show they expected.   That kind of attitude at seeing an elderly performer is childish at best.  Who here will be able to perform the work they did in their 20's through 50's or 60's as well when they are 78?  I can't.  I can't do one damn thing as well as I could in my prime and I'm 10 years younger than Bob Dylan. 

In the mid 80's I saw Dizzy Gillespie play at a jazz festival in Berkeley.  Dizzy was old and getting a bit frail and no way did he blow that horn like he did with Bird in the 50's but, man, what a thrill to see that great legend play!  And the crowd showed due respect, big time. 

I missed seeing one of the greatest American music legends ever by just a few weeks because I'd waited too long.  Duke Ellington.  By the time I got tickets for a show it was too late.  That show was cancelled due to Ellington being sick and he died two weeks later.  If I had gone a little earlier and he had played only a fraction as well as he did in his prime I would not have cared one tiny bit.  I would have gotten to see the great Duke Ellington. 

So go, have a great time and be thankful you had the chance!

I'm sorry for being childish.  I just saw Robert Plant and Willie Nelson....they both acted like they gave a shit.  Bob Dylan is capable of sounding like a human being.  He is capable of making noises with his mouth that don't sound like someone is constantly cutting one of his toes off.

Oh....I just saw the Who this summer as well.  They kicked ass.

Spiritual_Chaos

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

My take is, go for it.  But don't go with any expectations beyond knowing that you will be seeing a living legend.  Honor that, and hope you get in on one of the better shows.    I've only seen Dylan once and it was when he was touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band.  It probably doesn't get any better than that these days but remember, the man is 78 years old!

And this leads me to the point where I need to vent a bit here.  I've read too many posts on these forums about people bitching about "what a shitty show Bob put on".   I heard the same weak whining from people who saw B. B. King is his last years and didn't get the stellar show they expected.   That kind of attitude at seeing an elderly performer is childish at best.  Who here will be able to perform the work they did in their 20's through 50's or 60's as well when they are 78?  I can't.  I can't do one damn thing as well as I could in my prime and I'm 10 years younger than Bob Dylan. 

In the mid 80's I saw Dizzy Gillespie play at a jazz festival in Berkeley.  Dizzy was old and getting a bit frail and no way did he blow that horn like he did with Bird in the 50's but, man, what a thrill to see that great legend play!  And the crowd showed due respect, big time. 

I missed seeing one of the greatest American music legends ever by just a few weeks because I'd waited too long.  Duke Ellington.  By the time I got tickets for a show it was too late.  That show was cancelled due to Ellington being sick and he died two weeks later.  If I had gone a little earlier and he had played only a fraction as well as he did in his prime I would not have cared one tiny bit.  I would have gotten to see the great Duke Ellington. 

So go, have a great time and be thankful you had the chance!

I'm sorry for being childish.  I just saw Robert Plant and Willie Nelson....they both acted like they gave a shit.  Bob Dylan is capable of sounding like a human being.  He is capable of making noises with his mouth that don't sound like someone is constantly cutting one of his toes off.

Oh....I just saw the Who this summer as well.  They kicked ass.

His voice is wrecked. You want him to lipsync like Paul Stanley instead?

Just go! See a legend! Enjoy his charm and his lounge band.

Gern Blansten

I think I would retain respect for him by not going.

And like I said...based on reviews that I have seen, the performance you get is based on Dylan's mood that day.  You might get a decent show and you might get a show where he doesn't give a shit like in the video I posted.

brianlux

JPPJ84 said:

brianlux said:

My take is, go for it.  But don't go with any expectations beyond knowing that you will be seeing a living legend.  Honor that, and hope you get in on one of the better shows.    I've only seen Dylan once and it was when he was touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band.  It probably doesn't get any better than that these days but remember, the man is 78 years old!

And this leads me to the point where I need to vent a bit here.  I've read too many posts on these forums about people bitching about "what a shitty show Bob put on".   I heard the same weak whining from people who saw B. B. King is his last years and didn't get the stellar show they expected.   That kind of attitude at seeing an elderly performer is childish at best.  Who here will be able to perform the work they did in their 20's through 50's or 60's as well when they are 78?  I can't.  I can't do one damn thing as well as I could in my prime and I'm 10 years younger than Bob Dylan. 

In the mid 80's I saw Dizzy Gillespie play at a jazz festival in Berkeley.  Dizzy was old and getting a bit frail and no way did he blow that horn like he did with Bird in the 50's but, man, what a thrill to see that great legend play!  And the crowd showed due respect, big time. 

I missed seeing one of the greatest American music legends ever by just a few weeks because I'd waited too long.  Duke Ellington.  By the time I got tickets for a show it was too late.  That show was cancelled due to Ellington being sick and he died two weeks later.  If I had gone a little earlier and he had played only a fraction as well as he did in his prime I would not have cared one tiny bit.  I would have gotten to see the great Duke Ellington. 

So go, have a great time and be thankful you had the chance!

Please forgive my childish bitching. I recognize the man is 78 and what consequences that might bring.
But! If a performer puts himself out there and charges a whole lot of money he’s got to live with different opinions. I think different opinions are valid and that I as a consumer have the right to say that to me, his performance sucked. In the end I think Bob can handle the criticism. 

You absolutely have the right to say that.  I wasn't criticizing anyone in particular here.  But I stand by my comments.

brianlux

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

My take is, go for it.  But don't go with any expectations beyond knowing that you will be seeing a living legend.  Honor that, and hope you get in on one of the better shows.    I've only seen Dylan once and it was when he was touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band.  It probably doesn't get any better than that these days but remember, the man is 78 years old!

And this leads me to the point where I need to vent a bit here.  I've read too many posts on these forums about people bitching about "what a shitty show Bob put on".   I heard the same weak whining from people who saw B. B. King is his last years and didn't get the stellar show they expected.   That kind of attitude at seeing an elderly performer is childish at best.  Who here will be able to perform the work they did in their 20's through 50's or 60's as well when they are 78?  I can't.  I can't do one damn thing as well as I could in my prime and I'm 10 years younger than Bob Dylan. 

In the mid 80's I saw Dizzy Gillespie play at a jazz festival in Berkeley.  Dizzy was old and getting a bit frail and no way did he blow that horn like he did with Bird in the 50's but, man, what a thrill to see that great legend play!  And the crowd showed due respect, big time. 

I missed seeing one of the greatest American music legends ever by just a few weeks because I'd waited too long.  Duke Ellington.  By the time I got tickets for a show it was too late.  That show was cancelled due to Ellington being sick and he died two weeks later.  If I had gone a little earlier and he had played only a fraction as well as he did in his prime I would not have cared one tiny bit.  I would have gotten to see the great Duke Ellington. 

So go, have a great time and be thankful you had the chance!

I'm sorry for being childish.  I just saw Robert Plant and Willie Nelson....they both acted like they gave a shit.  Bob Dylan is capable of sounding like a human being.  He is capable of making noises with his mouth that don't sound like someone is constantly cutting one of his toes off.

Oh....I just saw the Who this summer as well.  They kicked ass.

Ditto here, Gern. I respect your right to your opinion.   I wasn't criticizing anyone in particular here.  But I definitely stand by my comments.

eddiec

You should go because:

a) Your expectation is so shockingly low that even if he puts on half-decent performance you'll be impressed.

b) You've never seen Dylan.

c) It's Dylan.

(I saw him over the summer and it was better than I thought it would be.)

rgambs

I took my Mom and Dad ten years ago and we all had fun.
It wasn't the best sounding show, his voice was a dull hand saw working through a piece of knotty oak, but the band was tight and his harmonica work was surprisingly good compared to his studio recordings. 

The Rock

100% go for it.  Sounds like i'm in the minority, but I saw him 3 times this year and I thought he was brilliant.

Sure, his voice has taken a beating over the years. But this year he's sounding better than he has in a while. Singing the old standards by Sinatra and co. has really helped his vocals. A song like Scarlet Town, from Tempest, is sounding lovely this year. Dylan's vocals are warm and clear.

He's had some very rough years, but 2019 has been a great year for him and I'd go and see him again without hesitation.

Gern Blansten

The Rock said:

100% go for it.  Sounds like i'm in the minority, but I saw him 3 times this year and I thought he was brilliant.

Sure, his voice has taken a beating over the years. But this year he's sounding better than he has in a while. Singing the old standards by Sinatra and co. has really helped his vocals. A song like Scarlet Town, from Tempest, is sounding lovely this year. Dylan's vocals are warm and clear.

He's had some very rough years, but 2019 has been a great year for him and I'd go and see him again without hesitation.

Did you see the video I posted above?  That was from a few months ago.

I don't mean to beat him up but that was awful.

dudeman

Dylan has been the most frequent ticket purchase I've ever had. I've seen him every time he's been anywhere near me for the last 22 years. Sometimes multiple times in the same year.

It used to be a different show every night, much like PJ. For the last few years, the set list is pretty much the same each night and is a nice mix of classic Dylan songs and newer songs from recent albums.

The band is incredible and very, very tight. Tony Garnier is worth the money for the ticket alone, IMO. 

I keep going because he has been a part of my life soundtrack since birth and my Dad is maybe his biggest fan of all time. We always go together. 

It's a little different for me than a new or casual fan though. I can listen past the condition of Bob's voice, I like the song choices and I don't go in expecting it to be a spectacle of a big rock show with lights, lasers and super high energy. 

If you understand that, I think there is a lot to appreciate about seeing Dylan live at this point in his career. 

Also, let's be honest: has anyone ever gone to see Bob Dylan for his vocal ability? If his singing voice is your main priority, you would probably be disappointed and are missing the point entirely. 

If you decide to go, I hope you have a great time!

cp3iverson

Its like seeing Michael Jordan on the Wizards.   All those kids who only saw him for those two years obviously didn't see the Jordan that we grew up with. But they still get to tell their kids that they saw MJ. 

If you like Dylan then go.  

Gern Blansten

dudeman said:

Dylan has been the most frequent ticket purchase I've ever had. I've seen him every time he's been anywhere near me for the last 22 years. Sometimes multiple times in the same year.

It used to be a different show every night, much like PJ. For the last few years, the set list is pretty much the same each night and is a nice mix of classic Dylan songs and newer songs from recent albums.

The band is incredible and very, very tight. Tony Garnier is worth the money for the ticket alone, IMO. 

I keep going because he has been a part of my life soundtrack since birth and my Dad is maybe his biggest fan of all time. We always go together. 

It's a little different for me than a new or casual fan though. I can listen past the condition of Bob's voice, I like the song choices and I don't go in expecting it to be a spectacle of a big rock show with lights, lasers and super high energy. 

If you understand that, I think there is a lot to appreciate about seeing Dylan live at this point in his career. 

Also, let's be honest: has anyone ever gone to see Bob Dylan for his vocal ability? If his singing voice is your main priority, you would probably be disappointed and are missing the point entirely. 

If you decide to go, I hope you have a great time!

Yeah that makes sense....like I said, I always respected him but I was never exposed to much of his music.  I think the first time I saw him was on SNL doing "Serve Somebody" which I thought was really weird but I was probably only 12 years old when I saw it.  

That Netflix show was impressive though.  

My current impression of him might be wrong. It just seemed more like a "this is how I'm going to do it tonight whether you like it or not" attitude rather than "hey this is the best I can do right now."  I'm just referring to the singing....he hasn't seemed to have lost any musical ability that I notice.

FR181798

If ýou havent seen Dylan, I would go see him at least once. Dont expect the songs to sound like the records but he's one of the greats so something to tell the grand kids.

Wobbie

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

My take is, go for it.  But don't go with any expectations beyond knowing that you will be seeing a living legend.  Honor that, and hope you get in on one of the better shows.    I've only seen Dylan once and it was when he was touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band.  It probably doesn't get any better than that these days but remember, the man is 78 years old!

And this leads me to the point where I need to vent a bit here.  I've read too many posts on these forums about people bitching about "what a shitty show Bob put on".   I heard the same weak whining from people who saw B. B. King is his last years and didn't get the stellar show they expected.   That kind of attitude at seeing an elderly performer is childish at best.  Who here will be able to perform the work they did in their 20's through 50's or 60's as well when they are 78?  I can't.  I can't do one damn thing as well as I could in my prime and I'm 10 years younger than Bob Dylan. 

In the mid 80's I saw Dizzy Gillespie play at a jazz festival in Berkeley.  Dizzy was old and getting a bit frail and no way did he blow that horn like he did with Bird in the 50's but, man, what a thrill to see that great legend play!  And the crowd showed due respect, big time. 

I missed seeing one of the greatest American music legends ever by just a few weeks because I'd waited too long.  Duke Ellington.  By the time I got tickets for a show it was too late.  That show was cancelled due to Ellington being sick and he died two weeks later.  If I had gone a little earlier and he had played only a fraction as well as he did in his prime I would not have cared one tiny bit.  I would have gotten to see the great Duke Ellington. 

So go, have a great time and be thankful you had the chance!

I'm sorry for being childish.  I just saw Robert Plant and Willie Nelson....they both acted like they gave a shit.  Bob Dylan is capable of sounding like a human being.  He is capable of making noises with his mouth that don't sound like someone is constantly cutting one of his toes off.

Oh....I just saw the Who this summer as well.  They kicked ass.

His voice is wrecked. You want him to lipsync like Paul Stanley instead?

Spiritual_Chaos

My friend just scored two tickets to the Bob Dylan concert this September here in Gothenburg - first row!

155 dollars though. 

static111

Spiritual_Chaos said:

My friend just scored two tickets to the Bob Dylan concert this September here in Gothenburg - first row!

155 dollars though. 

Saw him in Austin in April and he nailed all the songs from the new album.  Like he really cared about them.  With the classics it seemed like he had the energy of, "I have to play these again". Either way it was totally worth it.  I've seen Bob more times than anyone starting in 1999.  I hope for a bootleg of the 99-2003 period, pre piano only bob.  Those shows were amazing and each was unique with an insanely varied setlist.

Spiritual_Chaos

static111 said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

My friend just scored two tickets to the Bob Dylan concert this September here in Gothenburg - first row!

155 dollars though. 

Saw him in Austin in April and he nailed all the songs from the new album.  Like he really cared about them.  With the classics it seemed like he had the energy of, "I have to play these again". Either way it was totally worth it.  I've seen Bob more times than anyone starting in 1999.  I hope for a bootleg of the 99-2003 period, pre piano only bob.  Those shows were amazing and each was unique with an insanely varied setlist.

Yeah. Looking forward yo it!

Here is my history with Bob:

2003: What the fuck is this?

2011 with Knopfler: What the fuck is this? I get while people are leaving in droves after Knopfler. 

2019: This is amazing

Spiritual_Chaos

ON THURSDAYYYYYYY

https://youtu.be/sU_bstoTRUk