An Early Christmas
The Dylan Concert, Thursday October 22, 1998
Duluth, Minnesota
It was a great concert. I will start with that.
Let's put things in perspective. Duluth has been waiting for Dylan
a long long time. Even though he's been said to hail from Hibbing,
everyone here knows he was born here and lived in Duluth's Central
HIllside till he was six.
Native Duluthians have lobbied hard to bring him home again, but
with no such luck. Some even sought to name a street after him
a few years back, but the City Council voted against it. The arguments
against ran along this line: He has never sung here or come here
or tried to make a tie with us here, why should he be honored
here?
Well, the Faithful were rewarded. Dylan played a wonderful concert
for the 8,000 loyalists present on Thursday night, October 22.
The tickets for this Homecoming were snapped up in approximately
5 and a half hours nearly six weeks previous and I was one of
those who got lucky.
A little background on the reviewer:
For me, it was like having an early Christmas. Yes, I was counting
the days. Yes, I have been a longtime fan. There is a Dylan poster
on the door to my office, that one from his 1960 concert at the
Underground Cavern in Greenwich Village. And a framed Saturday
Evening Post cover featuring "a rare picture of Bob Dylan
in seclusion" (November 2, 1968) hangs on my office wall.
For Christmas last year I asked for, and received in my stocking,
the Time Out of Mind CD. I listened to it nearly every day the
first month of 1998. (It is a habit of mine to attempt to "internalize"
my favorite music.) In short, I was pumped, expectant of a special
evening. As it turns out, my high expectations were not disappointed.
The concert was held in the arena of the Duluth Entertainment
and Convention Center. The arena floor was festival-style seating,
which means no seats at all, so the crowd mashes up to the stage
or dances or does whatever else there is space to do. A lot of
the time they enthusiastically waved their raised arms.
Before the show I walked down to the railing directly overlooking
the side of the stage and studied the racks of guitars. There
must have been nearly a dozen guitars in racks on both sides of
the stage which would be used during the show. The soundboards
were enormous, and the men who were operating the equipment seemed
so small in comparison.
The lights dimmed at precisely 7:30 and I returned to my aisle
seat in the third row of Section 12.
You could still see a lot of empty seats when the warm up band,
David Allen and the Guilty Men, took the stage. I'm not sure where
these guys came from or who lined them up, but they did not seem
totally inappropriate. They had a tough job because they had to
make music for a crowd that clearly had one purpose in being present
at this event: to revere the Legend.
I personally enjoyed them. The sound system was good. Their rockabilly
energy was palpable and by the end of their set they successfully
made me forget, albeit only temporarily, why I had come here this
night. That is to say, they were talented, played with vitality
and didn't shrink from their task.
It was a short, efficient exhibition, and they quickly took their
leave. Preparations were made, equipment swept away, new mikes
re-arranged. Lights came down, and the crowd was roaring as the
Master and his group walked in from the back of the stage.
As he did in Saskatchewan, Dylan opened with Gotta Serve Somebody
from his Slow Train Coming album. The crowd was excited. It was
Dylan, live. The Man. The real thing. But I think there was also
a bit of reserve in the air. The opening bars were not familiar
to everyone. And for those who knew the song, it was different
than we knew it. It was rockier... and, even though I personally
know the words, I wanted to have the crowd hear and understand
the words, too. So I had simultaneous emotions: an emotional rush
from Dylan's presence, and a niggling concern about where the
concert was going. As it turns out, I should not have been concerned.
The next day's newspaper headlines pretty much tell the story:
"Legend makes fans' dreams come true," and (subhead)
"Homecoming concert puts diehard followers into a nostalgic
swoon," and "Dylan brings it home to packed DECC,"
and "Legendary singer gives his birthplaces a historic performance."
The front page head proclaimed, simply, "Dylan brings it
home." Dylan played 12 songs before leaving the stage and
being "forced" back for an encore. The encore set went
five songs. The crowd was pumped, screaming, beside themselves,
ecstatic... and Dylan appeared to clearly enjoy the warmth and
appreciation.
General comments on a few facets of the performance and then commentary
on the songs.
A. Sound quality.... I do not know how many concerts they have
at the DECC, but I was impressed by the fullness of the sound
without it being annoyingly overpowering. The sound, from where
I sat, was excellent.
B. Dylan's Mannerisms
The man himself... what a strange combination of moves. I saw
a lot of things in his movement and expression that seemed, well,
different. I mean, he does that usual guitar player schtick, but
some of the moves seem like he's striking poses according to an
inward script... Then there were some of those effeminate flourishes
which no one seems to say anything about. And the almost shy manner
in which he conducts himself. And, well, he is a character. Sometimes
intense, sometimes amusing, always Dylan.
C. Song Selection
I thought it a wonderful mix of past and present. Of course, I
loved all of his material... but, wow, like he played some of
my favorites and in new ways that we haven't heard before. Ballad
of a Thin Man, Don't Think Twice, Just Like a Woman.... and all
the new stuff from his Time Out of Mind.... The encore selections
were perfect... and when he did Blowing In The Wind, I felt like
I was no longer at a music concert, but at a Master's Presentation.
Seriously, I was moved up to another level ... Then, Dylan's Benediction:
"May You Stay Forever Young."
D. The Bands
The papers had only a single sentence of commetary on the warm
up band. (They "played real loud.") I'm still curious
where these guys came from.
The guy seated next to me said Dylan's band members are the same
guys who played with him in Green Bay six years ago, which produced
a fabulous concert for a small crowd... absolutely leveled the
place with venom and vibes. (Opened with Jokerman and never slowed
down). The Duluth concert, happily, was not that concert, because
I personally loved both the hard stuff and the acoustic stuff,
and was impressed by the range of sounds, from subdued to pugnacious.
E. The Crowd
I think the papers did a good job of covering the crowd. I used
my binocs to survey the audience and saw a fair number of unimpressed
people in the seats above, though there were many dancing in the
aisles as well. The floor crowd seemed more with it, swaying and
swooning,... and yes, there were those like me in the upper sections
who had big smiles on their faces, soaking it in.
F. No Talking?
The local papers made a big deal of a comical issue with regards
to whether Dylan would acknowledge that he was born here. Would
he say anything like, "Hello, Duluth" or some kind of
statement to that effect? He did not say anything other than to
introduce the members of his band.
The few words he said were unintelligible for me. I intended to
write down the names of the band members as they were introduced.
I did not catch a one.
It didn't bother me. As far as I am concerned, let his lyrics
speak. Listen to what he sang. Maybe something was happening there
and a few people didn't know what it was.
Oh, and I should mention that after the first number, I actually
did catch most of the lyrics. Of course, I already know the songs,
so maybe it is easier for me.
At this point, I will remind you that I am only telling what I
saw and experienced, not what the papers interpreted for me.
G. Biggest Surprise
I guess for me, personally, the biggest surprise was how much
Dylan loved to play guitar and that he is a guitar player who
can really wail. I mean, I have always type-cast the guy as a
poet/songwriter/artist. But I realized this night that he is an
emminent musician and a unique performer. It was a fabulous experience
and a rare treat for Duluth.
THE CONCERT ITSELF
The audience was high on Dylan from the start, but there were
places during the concert where it bumped up a notch. He opened
with Gotta Serve Somebody in a fuller rock style than his original
album, followed by I'll Remember You, from Empire Burlesque. My
guess is that a lot of the crowd did not have these albums and
was not familiar with the songs. Then came Cold Irons Bound, which
was cranking. This one, from his Time Out of Mind album is one
of my favorites, and the strange chord progression is tantalizing,
tormenting, truly original, piercing.
Nevertheless, the crowd, not as familiar with these tunes, did
not break loose till the harmonica intro to Just Like A Woman.
He played that harm with loud delight, repeating the chords almost
a few times too many, just rubbing it in our faces, and the crowd
drank it up.
The song Can't Wait, which followed, is also from his newest album,
and it is another favorite of mine. There is this little guitar
piece in there that he also kept repeating. He seemed to enjoy
the whole process of performing, and pushing the limits. He appeared
to be having fun as he did slow, twisting knee bends, getting
down inside the sound he was making.
The last electric tune of this first segment was Silvio.... not
a favorite of mine, but it makes a lively showpiece. On his Greatest
HIts #3 album (which selects one song from each album since Blood
on the Tracks) Silvio is the selection from his Down In The Groove
album, and one that he purportedly enjoys playing in concerts.
(I checked his playlists from five years ago, and Silvio is there,
too.) "Find out something only dead men know."
At this point, the electric guitars were put away and acoustic
guitars brought out. The slide guitar guy switched to mandolin
and electric bass was replaced with stand up bass cello. I found
the sound to be extremely satisfying, well produced.
Tomorrow Is A Long Time opened the acoustic portion of the program
followed by Masters Of War. While singing Masters of War I thought
about the messages he sings, the prophetic challenges, the put
downs, the biting insightful commentary in his lyrics, and how
out of character it would be for him to smile while singing much
of this material. His pointed, scorching words were perfectly
released.
Tangled Up In Blue proved to be catalyst that turned the crowd
ballistic. The energy moved higher still with each verse and the
excitation continued as he entered into Don't Think Twice, It's
All Right. The band executed like a top notch bluegrass jam session.
They were tight, volcanic and alive.
Guitars were exchanged and the sound turned electric again for
Ballad Of A Thin Man. Wow. Wow! Did I say wow? This was powerful
stuff and he laid it all right out there.
Til I Fell In Love With You closed the "official" program
and the place was reelin' and a rockin'... the crowd dancing all
over the arena... (except the sourpussed, non-plussed and disappointed
remnant who do not know the Man or his music.)
Suddenly, it was over....though I don't think anyone believed
it would end there. The crowd roared for more, and they got it.
A gracious Dylan soon returned to the stage.
The encore set began with Love Sick. It's yet another great song
from his new album and the crowd was not familiar with it. They
respectfully listened to the haunting lyrics, which were well
enunciated right through to its twist ending.
Then the dam burst. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 has got to be
the ultimate party song and a boisterous, celebratory mood permeated
the arena.
Guitars were exchanged and a wondrous Blowin' In The Wind followed
and something I did not expect happened. It was somewhat akin
to an epiphany. The crowd was there soaking it in, the music was
dynamic and fully present, but I was absent. I had moved to a
higher plane, transcendant, somehow saw myself watching the concert,
recognized that I, yet not I, was in the presence of a man who
has made an impact on a whole generation. This was a historical
moment and a historical man. It was not just another entertainment
venue, just another concert. Dylan's importance came through to
me as he sang Blowin' In The Wind, with the crowd joining in on
the choruses.
And finally, we went to Highway 61 Revisited. This is real homeboy
stuff. Highway 61 is Minnesota, is here and now and yet was back
then. Through the music of this man it is now a symbol of something
more than a mere thoroughfare. It's fun, fume and fame. It's a
symbol of place and promise and possibility. And the audience
continued to drink from the well, with reverential joy.
The final number was performed after Dylan again left the stage
and returned. It served as both a second encore and a benediction.
It began as a rock concert, but now, with sermons ended and anthems
sung, we received his parting words of hope and promise.
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
And may you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
It was a great concert. I will end with the same closing. May
you stay forever young.
BACK