Bob Dylan is Dead

Well not dead, but "mostly" dead. I had the "pleasure" of attending his October 15th show at Taft Theater in Cincinnati. Amos Lee opened, and I missed it so no comment on that. Then Bob emerged to a ridiculous emcee introduction, which had me confused. Something about Bob Dylan being the best thing to survive the 60s.

His band was dressed in uniform, gray suits and weird hats. Fairly standard, guess I could say I expected this. The most no frills stage I've ever seen, we're talking nothing at all. As for the pieces in the 5 piece backing band: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, slide guitar, bass guitar (often standup), and a solid drummer. Not enough here to cover up the fact that Bob played often silent keyboards, and feigned playing guitar through 2 songs. What they were missing was a brass section to really keep the pace for Dylan's penchant for the blues.

This show had some highlights. "Highway 61" really got the crowd moving again because I think we forgot how. But barely recognizable "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" and "Blowing In the Wind" left so much to be desired. Do I expect him to be able to sing anymore, hell no. Do I expect him to change the music so much that it turns into a crappy blues review, hell no, and does that make me mad? Yes it does.

Most disappointing was his renditions the great songs from "Modern Times". I thought those would have been great live, but they were about as slow and as soft as the rest of the material that was never made to be played in that fashion. The only thing that saved the show was an occasion guitar solo, but I've seen enough solos to know this improv was about as rehearsed as Milli Vanilli.

He left the stage weirdly waving his hands at his sides in some strange drunk conductor fashion as to egg on the crowd. Sorry to disappoint you, but Bob Dylan is dead or confused. I have some advice for Bob: stop touring, keep making records and we'll still love you.