The Answer My Friend Is Blowing in the Wind
by tarryrob on 2009-07-08MTS Centre - WinnipegRating: 4 out of 5This was my first time seeing Bob Dylan. I missed him last time he was in town at the old Winnipeg Arena in 2002. I was jazzed about finally getting to see this living legend, but truly did not know what to expect. His music in recent years on such acclaimed CDs as his 2006 blues tinged Modern Times bears little resemblance to his early folkie days. But Dylan has always been the proverbial “rolling stone” and musical rebel since putting down his acoustic guitar and going electric at Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
There was no warm up act, no jumbotrons nor a lot of stage trappings. Dylan seems to like his stage setting simple and the focus kept on the music. The lights dimmed; Dylan was announced; the band took the stage, looking more like the Blues Brothers than a folk group. Dylan hit the stage to a standing ovation. In fact, the people on the floor did not sit down for the rest of concert. Not what you’d expect at a folk concert. But the lesson here if you haven’t already figured it out is that Dylan loves to confound expectations placed upon him. So things at a Dylan concert ain’t necessarily gonna be what you expect.
Dylan sat down behind his organ where he would spend the bulk of his time rather than with his guitar slung over his shoulder. The band launched into the opening number. It took a few seconds to figure out that it was Rainy Day Women because Bob had countrified the arrangement. But once he hit the chorus “Everybody Must Get Stoned” there was no mistaking the song. The crowd roared its approval especially when Bob grabbed his harmonica and soloed. They sang along and applauded wildly afterwards not seeming to care one wit about the altered arrangement.
Dylan said nothing afterwards. As a matter of fact, Bob said zilch to the crowd pretty much the entire evening. He simply launched into his next song, the acoustic folk anthem “The Times They Are A Changing” which also took a moment to decipher as it too had received a complete electric overhaul.
What remained familiar was Dylan’s trademark nasal drone, unique phrasing and those brilliant lyrics that have made him one of the most acclaimed and influential songwriters of the 20th century.
Those who expected Dylan to show up with his acoustic guitar and harmonica to sing “Blowing in the Wind” or “Mr Tambourine Man” left the concert, I’m sure, baffled and frustrated. But those more familiar with his vast back catalogue and receptive to Bob’s fresh arrangements were in for a treat as he intermixed classics such as the acerbic “ Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” with chestnuts such as “Desolation Row” and contemporary cuts from his chart topping CD Modern Times such as “The Levee’s Gonna Break” and “Thunder on the Mountain.”
Though Bob stayed tucked away behind his organ most of the night, he did strap on his guitar during “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues” and capered a bit centre stage much to the delight of the 6,500 fans
He wrapped up the night with his biggest pop hit “Like A Rolling Stone” and a pumped up version of “All Along the Watchtower.”
Bob broke his silence at the very end of the concert long enough to introduce his band members. These days, he seems to prefer to let his music do his talking for him. Why? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind. But few could say it any better song than Bob Dylan and the songs are more than enough for the fans. Keep on rolling Bob!