I’m working on a big post that I was hoping to throw up here tonight (the subject is Richard Dawkins, and I have some surprising findings to report). But, I spent the night at a Bob Dylan concert with Caryn instead, so the other post will have to wait till tomorrow.
Bob Dylan was in fine form at the Nassau Coliseum. I guess I’ve seen him about 16 or 17 times (it’s always different, you know), and tonight’s show was one of the 3 or 4 best. Dylan’s mood was upbeat, and the evening’s rotation was well-chosen. “It’s Alright Ma, I’m Only Bleeding” must have been for Iraq, or at least that’s the way it seemed to me. “High Water Risin'” didn’t need a Cliff’s Notes either. Anybody who thinks Dylan doesn’t do protest songs anymore is wrong; he’s just a bit underhanded about it.
Other lyrics he graced us with include “Maggie’s Farm”, “Visions of Johanna”, “When The Deal Goes Down”, “Tangled Up In Blue”, “She Belongs To Me”, “Ballad of a Thin Man”, “Honest With Me”, “Highway 61”, “Like A Rolling Stone”, “All Along The Watchtower” and “Spirit on the Water”, which includes this intriguing koan:
Have you seen a ghost? No!
But you have heard of them
The show felt surprisingly intimate, particularly so because we were in a large hockey rink. The opening act was the Raconteurs, featuring Jack White. They complement Dylan well, and in fact when their show started they reminded me of the Band (though by the end they reminded me of Crazy Horse, which is probably better). Oh, and Jack White sure can play guitar.
Don’t forget to check back for my big report on the Existence of God tomorrow, by lunch time if I’m lucky.
5 Responses
big timeWhat a show that must
big time
What a show that must have been! Jack White, The Raconteurs, and Dylan are all top notch in my book.
Can’t wait for your big report. You been up on a mountain somewhere, getting the word?
sail on saraPersonally I
sail on sara
Personally I think the “Desire” album was some of Dylan’s most impressive and ambitious work. But it seems to have been lost in the shuffle. How come? Electric violin lead…yeah that’s different.
Eh…Richard Dawkins… he’s
Eh…
Richard Dawkins… he’s kinda like the Paris Hilton of the litblog coterie.
personally, I am really fond
personally, I am really fond of the countrified “Nashville Skyline” album.
dylanWhen you said he was a
dylan
When you said he was a little more underhanded,it brought to mind a line by merle haggard,’using tricks and telepathy, have you ever listened to your mind?’
16/17 times? You are very fortunate.
Did he look like a cowboy?