Powers Auditorium, Youngstown
*****
Bob Dylan and his well-oiled machine are touring across the Midwest, sometimes playing a different city the next night nonstop with no breaks. An impressive feat for any band but with Dylan at nearly 84, it’s a feat that is more than noteworthy.
The performance was phoneless, which saw everyone have their phones locked away in pouches, which was fantastic although next time be sure to wear a watch if you’re planning on queuing for the bar and the start time is approaching. I bailed from the queue after the 10 min warning, to leave my plus-one with the vital task of bringing the refreshments. Luckily, she arrived just as the lights went down!
As the name of the tour suggests, without much pomp and ceremony, Bob and the band took to the stage and assumed their positions, standing ovations throughout as the crowd awaited the man they came to see. No introduction necessary, nor even an acknowledgement of the audience, (This is Dylan after all, and the tour is ‘Rough and Rowdy’. If you want cuddly acknowledgment from a legend, there’s always Taylor Swifts’s ‘Era’s Tour’) just straight into it starting with his back to the audience as he and the band played ‘I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,’ playing guitar with the band to get started, and once warmed up, turning around to sing and play the piano.
Unsurprisingly, the show consisted mainly of songs from the Rough And Rowdy Ways album. I was expecting maybe to hear one or two at most of the old songs but was pleasantly surprised by the various inclusions, all stripped and rearranged to suit the theme of the show. At one point I turned to my plus-one saying “you know this one”. She looked blank, to which I added ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’. The song was barely recognisable both in arrangement and Bob’s delivery, but honestly I loved every minute of it! If you came expecting what was recorded all those decades ago, you’d be misguided in your hopes and simultaneously disappointed. In such a case, however, may I perhaps recommend a movie with Timothée Chalamet, or if that doesn’t suit, perhaps build a time machine!
What one sees at this show is a legend performing on his own terms, with a group of talented musicians, playing a selection in their chosen style much in line with Dylan’s album. And if you came with any other expectations, then I guess that’s your problem. Upon reading other reviews of the tour, I noted that they predominantly fell into one of three categories:
1. Seasoned Dylan fans who know exactly what to expect and are happy to pay their money.
2. Non seasoned Dylan fans, both young and old that came with the mindset to experience the music and see a legend perform live.
3. The type of fan that would have just as well rocked up to a John Lennon Concert in the 70s expecting ‘mop tops’ and A Hard Day’s Night… To quote the man “I’ve grown up a bit since then, obviously you haven’t.”
I fall into category 2, a lifelong fan, simply grateful for the opportunity to see the legend while he’s living, and luckily for everyone, it seemed that over 90% of the Powers Auditorium fell into groups 1 or 2. When traveling up to the venue a thought occurred, and this was later confirmed during the performance: This wasn’t just a show. It was part musical performance and part exhibition, in that (given this was my first time seeing the man,) you were seeing a sort of mythical creature, in the flesh, performing in a theatre in the middle of Youngstown, Ohio.
Another one of the rearranged versions, and a personal highlight for me was that of ‘Desolation Row,’ less folksy acoustic, more stripped back and gritty & bluesy with a punchy rhythmic muted strumming, much like a locomotive driving the song along. I didn’t notice what the song was until a few lines into the first verse, such was the rearrangement but when I (and other audience members) clocked on, it sent shivers and got a roaring crowd response.
Another moment which the crowd responded with a rapturous appreciation and love, was when Bob pulled out the harmonica towards the end of the set during Every Grain Of Sand. It was a beautiful and special moment, even had a couple dancing in the outer aisle by the exit. A moving number that as it reached its conclusion and the band finished playing, saw Dylan step up to centre stage, in front of the piano briefly, to receive the standing ovation from the grateful crowd.
He then stepped back to the back of the stage in a line with his band, momentarily under the orange glow of the purposely designed minimalistic set lights; before abruptly cutting the lights, to show a blue lighted outlined silhouette of the players with Dylan in the centre amidst a black backdrop for just a few seconds. Then blackout, and just like that it was over. The players exited the stage with the same lack of razzle-dazzle that marked their entrance. No pomp, ceremony, nor encore, yet plenty of fanfare as the crowd gave their applause.
As the well-oiled albeit rough and rowdy machine packed up after another night on the road, the evening for Dylan and his band will have been one of countless stops across America. But to the folks present, it was without question a special night of music from a legend.
Rough and rowdy? Of course (I mean at 83 what would you expect). A night and performance to remember? Most certainly! The tour is shortly to join Willie Nelson for the Outlaw Music Festival, where both legends will both be out on the road again…
5 Stars*
*Unless you were stupid/misguided enough to be expecting an 83-year-old to be a Timothée Chalamet-esque Bob from yesteryear, performing all the hits. In which case, you probably left disappointed. Don’t worry though, I’m sure Chalamet will be streaming soon.
Reviewed by Josh Kemp
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