I'm so old, Buddha, that I can clearly remember sitting on the floor with whatever beer was cheapest by the quart and listening with some others to Times They are A-Changin'; Lay, Lady, Lay; and Like a Rolling Stone when they were his new recordings. I always liked Maggie's Farm too. Last time I heard his voice, he was off on religious ferver and I couldn't get with it. I went away with that, "you can't go home again..." realization. Glad to hear you thought he put on a good show. How would you say his sound now compares with that on the old recordings (I presume you have them)?

If the show comes Chicago way, it might be worth it just to hear Merle Haggard. There's the real one. Seems ironic to me that he'd be the opening act rather than the other way around.

What a great combination! I think Merle is having fun again. He's been touring quite a bit more than usual.

Cheapskate, I too dropped out when he went through his religous period but he has come back strong IMHO with his "Time Out Of Mind", "Oh Mercy" and "World Gone Wrong" releases, amongst others. And if you get an inkling to revisit some of his earlier works you can usually find the re-released SACD down at the used CD store for the same price as the redbook version. All of the ones I have scored have been superb as for their sonics.

Buddha, anyone who has the set list from a Dylan gig is a bonafide "Dylanhead". Thanks for the heads up on this tour.

I caught him as he came through Dallas a few years ago. Played a small old converted movie theatre, standing room only, but was able to be no more than 15 feet from the stage, the closest I have ever been to one of his performances. The band was very tight, as if they had been playing together for years, but unfortunatly Bob never played piano or harp during the gig. I love most everything he has done or does, but I feel he shines with just an acoustic guitar and the harp.

I know it had to be a special evening. Been there, done that...hope to do it again.

RG

I disagree, Buddha. I think you said it very well. Between you and Rgibran you've convinced me to give his stuff another try. Thanks.

Buddha - good write up! I enjoyed your summary of the show. I have had the chance to see Mr Dylan several times and really enjoyed every show. The first concert was in 1981 when he started his tour in Milwaukee. Yes this was during his "religious phase" although if you read his comments, or interviews, he has not changed his mind, only his outspokenness.

The show was very odd to me, but all too familiar to him, no doubt. Whenever fans have not liked what he was playing they felt they had the right to try to make him conform by booing, or carrying on in an undignified manner. It started with critical and fan horror with him having picked up an electric guitar. It amplified when he had the unmitigated gall to plug in at Newport, and continued through the subsequent European and American tour.

The outrage raised its head again when he 'went country' while everyone else was tuning in and dropping out.

It must have been old hat when people reacted with rage to his conversion, to what was always visible in his music. The spiritual aspect to his music can be found from the beginning of his recording career.

Who the hell does Bob Dylan think he is, to play and record the music he wants to do?!?

Bob Dylans fans have to be the most self-rightous people following any artist, but being true to his beliefs (whatever they might have been at that time) he continued to do what he wanted to do! This is not a condemnation of anyone posting here, or reading this. I refer to the popular music fanbase in general. Good for you Bob!

Bob Dylan provided more unintended leadership to popular music in the last fifty years than probably anyone else, but at the same time he was a product of his environment.

I watched the Milwaukee show with bemusement. The musicianship was not as good as the end of the tour in TX, but he was having fun. That inspite of the fact that only half the audience enjoyed each number, depending on how current it was. I loved the Gospel show and LPs. I have bought other gospel artist since, because of those LPs. I enjoyed the back up singers, and the enthusiasm.

I have most of his LPs. Of course some are played more than others, but it's his music, and he does not owe me an explanation for what he chooses to record.

I hope I get the chance to see the current tour. He's not a kid anymore, and there will only be so many more chances to see this ARTIST.

I'm young. So please excuse me when I say I was introduced to Bob Dylan by the 30th anniversary concert cd set. As I began to like him more, I became equally fascinated by the man himself. Now, I don't know if you guys like reading about rock as much as listening to rock, but if you do, I simply loved