I got a free ticket to go see Willie Nelson(who was very enjoyable) and Bob Dylan last night. I understand Bob Dylan is a great lyricist but in concert I literally couldnt understand a single word he said through the first 5-6 songs in his set. I know he isnt known for his voice but what the hell is the point of being a brilliant lyricist if you cant understand a single word he says, and why the hell did 10,000 people pay 30-150$ to see this? If i am off base on this one let me know, cause I just dont get why this guy is so popular, i thought he flat out sucked live.
Since you saw him live you should've obviously seen that age was not kind to him. Anyway I guess you were able to understand him on the later songs since ya mentioned you couldn't understand the first 5-6; and I doubt you are the kind of audience member the show was targetting due to your post. I'd wager that most at the show already knew Dylan's works well enough to be able to tell what song he was playing regardless if he's too old, drunk, ****ed up, etc.
Dylan's legacy really doesn't need explaining and if you're interested in how he's shaped the music industry go check out his wiki. The reason why people see him is because he's still a favorite for many, still can play, and he's going to be gone soon. If you think about it, most bands you can't understand anyway even if they are literally a quarter of Dylan's age especially live. Many fans and musicians feel that as long as you can keep rockin' then please do so since our time on earth is short and $$$ and music helps it go by smoother.
Dylan started to become a big name in the beginning of the '60's, so he has had half a century of his work to speak to now, which explains his popularity. I can honestly say I prefer his singing voice from back in the '60's, prior to when he seemed to change it for every album.
I have just heard he has never been the best live, not for a real long time anyway since he seemed fine live back in the day. I'm sure his age has something to do with it. I would have gone just for the fact of seeing Bob Dylan since he is only going to be around for so much longer.
You're catching the guy at the twilight of his career. It's like asking what happened to MJ in the 2000s.
Anyway, get one of his greatest hits albums and I'm sure you'll run into a song you didn't realize he wrote or at least something you dig.
Check out:
Don't Think Twice, It's alright - great break up song
I Shall be Released - great song, even better cover by the Slackers
Knocking on Heavens Door - covered by Clapton & Guns & Roses, each with their own spin on it
Forever Young - Great song
It Ain't me Babe - another great breakup song
Maggie's Farm - Covered by RAtM
Like a Rolling Stone
Blowing in the Wind
The Times are a changing
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Hurricane - awesome song for a lil jewish kid to write during the civil rights movement based on Hurricane Carter.
Highway 61 Revisited
If any of those don't work for you Dylan might not be fore you.
I'm catching the same tour Aug 4th at the Dell Diamond. 67.50 to see two legends is a steal IMO.
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"That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently
discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation;
That until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes;
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race;
That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the
rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.." ONE LOVE
I'm certain that Roux knows Bob Dylan's history/body of work... I just think he's *****ing about the live performance.
Yeah, I am well aware of how Dylan shaped music and i know all of his "hits" that was never really an issue, I was just more in shock to how brutal he was live, and how he still has a major concert following. I get thats its like seeing an american treasure, i just wasnt expecting it to be the worst concert i have ever seen.
I get that, but not having a great voice has turned into no voice
Him and Keith Richards are great examples of what hard living does to you if you don't die young. Also, watch some of his older performances too. He's not one to but on an amazing live show.
BTW, who opened for who? I'm most interested in seeing Willie Nelson since he's still putting on a badass shows at the same age.
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"That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently
discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation;
That until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes;
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race;
That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the
rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.." ONE LOVE
Him and Keith Richards are great examples of what hard living does to you if you don't die young. Also, watch some of his older performances too. He's not one to but on an amazing live show.
BTW, who opened for who? I'm most interested in seeing Willie Nelson since he's still putting on a badass shows at the same age.
Willie Opened, and he put on a fun show, pulled out all the hits, did a 3-4 song set of hank williams covers, and On the road again live was worth showing up alone. I guess i was just dissapointed, i didnt have high expectations for Dylan, i just thought seeing an american legend would have had a higher payoff. Willie Nelson was fun though
Willie Opened, and he put on a fun show, pulled out all the hits, did a 3-4 song set of hank williams covers, and On the road again live was worth showing up alone. I guess i was just dissapointed, i didnt have high expectations for Dylan, i just thought seeing an american legend would have had a higher payoff. Willie Nelson was fun though
Did he open up with Whiskey River and roll out a big Texas flag as soon as that 1st lyric dropped? Friend of mine saw him here in Austin two years ago and he did it. Guy said it was awesome. Even more so considering his age.
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"That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently
discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation;
That until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes;
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race;
That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the
rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.." ONE LOVE
Did he open up with Whiskey River and roll out a big Texas flag as soon as that 1st lyric dropped? Friend of mine saw him here in Austin two years ago and he did it. Guy said it was awesome. Even more so considering his age.
I dont remember what he opened with, i was etting a beer, but it was a pretty straight forward show, no big light effects, he came out in a cowboy hat and right before he went into his Hank Williams run and On the Road again, he switched to the red bandana, which ruled
I am excited to see The Roots tomorrow and Blink 182 in August, hopefully.
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And God said, Let There Be Rock. And there was Led Zeppelin.
R.I.P ~ Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, John Lennon, John Bonham, Kurt Cobain, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Michael Hutchence, George Harrison, Syd Barrett, Richard Wright, Michael Jackson ~
Someone Explain Dylan to Me
And God said, Let There Be Rock. And there was Led Zeppelin. 
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