August 10, 2010 – It goes without saying that you won’t find massive flashing lights or pyrotechnics at a Bob Dylan concert. Nor will you see the 69-year-old songwriter doing jumps and kicks in the air as he jams on the guitar. What you will see and hear is a music legend, and his songs. It’s really as simple as that.
The man who has changed the landscape of music over the course of his 50 years of recording brought his harmonica, guitar, and uniformly dressed four person band with him to play in front of a record crowd at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s Buffalo Chip. But as Dylan’s longtime friend and personal photographer Ken Regan once said, “It doesn’t matter if he’s playing for 600 people or 5,000 or 50,000. He just wants to play.”
In addition to headliner Kid Rock, the opening act was somewhat of an odd fit. Riding the wind behind her successful debut album, Orianthi exudes confidence as she plays blazing guitar riffs atop catchy pop lyrics. The 25-year-old Australian is full of energy, and so is her band. “Unexpectedly brilliant” was the talk of the crowd after she walked off stage.
Despite being on what critics and fans alike have called the “Never Ending Tour” for the last 20 years, seeing Bob Dylan in concert still feels like a rare treat thanks to his reclusive demeanor. But playing a hundred shows a year makes him seem less like a recluse and more like a showman, even if he doesn’t act that way in concert.
If fans came to this concert to hear a soaringly clear voice, they were sorely disappointed. There would be no reason to have those expectations, however, since Dylan has never had such a voice and surely can’t be expected to sing like Steve Perry after years of singing and smoking. Instead it’s raspy, growling and garbled, and sometimes even frightening. But he’s Bob Dylan, and he’s a legend.
The lights were kept very dim on Dylan; in fact the house spotlights were turned off. Although a very atypical setup, it accomplished a very intimate feel for the concert, as if one was watching a performance in and old, dusty basement with a few friends.
His selections vary night by night, and Sturgis was no exception. New songs from his last few albums were sprinkled in among necessities like “All Along the Watchtower” and “Just Like a Woman“. Most older selections are now sung with a more hurried pace to suit the Bard’s limited voice.
Dylan has a weathered look, but that’s from living a rock lifestyle for the last half-century. We aren’t looking at the young Dylan anymore, but rather an older and wiser version who remains a powerful enigma. The songs are still there – and that’s what matters when it comes to Bob Dylan.
thanks you for the swooning pics. Bob Dylan, love of my life.