It's been 10 years since I last saw Bob Dylan live, so it was a little surreal to see him again after such a long hiatus. There'e new personnel in the band and they play a more stripped-down sound from what I was used during the 2010s. Dylan positioned himself front and center behind the keyboard, donning a hoodie, occasionally standing up, a few harmonica solos were interspersed throughout the 90-minute set.
The show started out strong with a rollicking version of "To Be Alone with You" from the 1969 album Nashville Skyline. Then a haunting performance of "Man in the Long Black Coat" from the 1989 album No Mercy and followed by a sublime version of "All Along the Watchtower."
Dylan performed six songs from his most recent album Rough and Rowdy Ways from 2020, highlighted by "False Prophet", "Crossing the Rubicon," and "Goodbye Jimmy Reed." He punctuated the second half of the set with another 1960s classic 'When I Paint My Masterpiece" and closed the set with the spiritual "Every Grain of Sand" from his 1981 album Shot of Love.
Other highlights were standbys like "Love Sick" from Time Out of Mind, and the mournful "Forgetful Heart" from the 2009 LP Together Through Life. He included two covers that lightened the mood a bit: the R&B classic "I Can Tell" by Bo Diddley and the '50s rocker "Nervous Breakdown" by Eddie Cochrane.
The vibe of the concert was like watching a late-night jam session at some remote outpost with where civilization stands on its last legs. Dylan's ghostly presence combined with so many songs dealing with decline, loss, and resignation were balanced by flashes of light and cosmic insight.
In recent years, Dylan's been known for "zero tolerance" policy on phones, so it was nice to see everyone forced to pay attention to a powerful performance. Dylan creates a mysterious alchemy as a live performer at this stage in his career, drenched in myth and enigmas.
