Dylan in Glasgow

[twm]

Just back from three shows up there. Very different from last year, with MK. Same set list each night, so the band were more relaxed as they knew what was coming next, with many of his more recent songs, fewer rockier numbers, songs and arrangements seemingly chosen to suit his voice, less croakiness all round, greater performance element and so on. Also, an intermission and no band introductions.  Dylan even high-fived some the audience at the end of the final night in Glasgow.

Even mrs twm enjoyed the shows. Looking forward to the three London shows - at the RAH where I first saw him live in 1965 - and then, perhaps, a live album - who knows?

Whatever else you may say, the man has a work ethic that is remarkable. I may be a bit dismissive of the way his artwork is churned out (minimal colourations of existing drawings) but he has a metalwork exhibition in London and, from the photos I've seen, it looks very skillfully and interestingly executed. The prices are outrageous of course.

And the video mentioned in another thread is a humourous little thing. Not so little really, being 16 videos rather than  one.

[superval99]

Very different from last year, with MK. Same set list each night, so the band were more relaxed as they knew what was coming next, with many of his more recent songs

Glad to hear you enjoyed the shows, twm!   Perhaps Bob was influenced by being on tour with MK -  static setlists consisting of more recent songs!  Enjoy the RAH btw!   

[dmg]

I saw posters advertising his shows in the subway and thought about going but the SECC is awkward to get to (I make a special effort for MK ).  Glad you enjoyed Bob though.  Kind of wish I'd gone now.  I hope both Mr. and Mrs. TWM enjoy their London shows too.

[twm]

I think we first met, dmg, outside the Clyde Auditorium, on a dreary night in the cold, the dark and the drizzle waiting for MK  after he played a show there ("Golden Heart" tour, perhaps?).

Just had a Dylan friend on the phone (about a new limited-edition 50th Anniversary Collection release - for 1963 this time) and mrs twm picked up the phone and chatted for a while. When I got on and said how well Dylan had performed at the Glasgow shows, the friend, ""Yes, I heard". Mrs twm had told him without any prompting from me.

[dmg]

I think we first met, dmg, outside the Clyde Auditorium, on a dreary night in the cold, the dark and the drizzle waiting for MK  after he played a show there ("Golden Heart" tour, perhaps?).

Just had a Dylan friend on the phone (about a new limited-edition 50th Anniversary Collection release - for 1963 this time) and mrs twm picked up the phone and chatted for a while. When I got on and said how well Dylan had performed at the Glasgow shows, the friend, ""Yes, I heard". Mrs twm had told him without any prompting from me.

Right place, wrong time!  It was 2001, STP tour.  You're right about the weather though, but we both could have guessed that for Glasgow!

[twm]

For your information, Dylan's RAH shows were just as good as the ones in Glasgow.  He was hatless, probably to allow those in the choir seats to see him more readily (and he certainly ackowledged them at the end of each show). As at the last show in Glasgow, Dylan came forward at the end of the last RAH show and "high-fived" some members of the audience. At both venues, the security took trouble to stop audience members rushing forward  at any of these shows but, at the last nights in Glasgow and London, a smallish number did manage to get down to the front on one side of the stage.

I have now read quite a few reports of these shows, including some fan ones. In some of these, people said that they took along partners who were not Dylan fans and these partners came out of the shows positively glowing with pleasure and praise. In one case, a partner was moved to tears (in a good way) with the performance of "Forgetful Heart" - indeed, some Dylan fans said it had affected them similarly.

Dylan still stands and moves awkwardly, which makes me wonder whether there is something medical going on, but he has been singing with less gravel in his voice this time round.

For many of you, it's a shame that this year's Dylan was not on display during the two tours with MK but that's the way it is with "Mr Bob". This happens to have been a particularly good period.

[vgonis]

I read Joni Mitchell's interview in the last month's Uncut and she made a wonderful remark about Dylan. True and yet somehow akward, but with a twist at the end! Have you seen it twm?

[dustyvalentino]

I personally thought Dylan was fantastic in Glasgow in 2011...

[dmg]

I personally thought Dylan was fantastic in Glasgow in 2011...

I'll second that.

[dustyvalentino]

I personally thought Dylan was fantastic in Glasgow in 2011...

I'll second that.

Great gig all round.  Of course the company helped!

[dmg]

I personally thought Dylan was fantastic in Glasgow in 2011...

I'll second that.

Great gig all round.  Of course the company helped!

Don't forget, I was there too!