BOB DYLAN : BOURNEMOUTH 2022

 

Disc One (54:54)

  1. Watching The River Flow
  2. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
  3. I Contain Multitudes
  4. False Prophet
  5. When I Paint My Masterpiece
  6. Black Rider
  7. My Own Version of You
  8. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
  9. Crossing The Rubicon

Disc Two (57:12)

  1. To Be Alone With You
  2. Key West (Philosopher Pirate)
  3. Gotta Serve Somebody
  4. I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You
  5. That Old Black Magic
  6. Mother of Muses
  7. Goodbye Jimmy Reed
  8. Every Grain of Sand

Label : no label

Venue : Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, England

Recording Date : November 5, 2022

Quality : Audience recording (A+)

Concert Review (Daily Echo) : The only things missing in this show were (thankfully) mobile phones, which are sealed in faraday pouches on the way in. The audience had to ‘live in the moment’ for once which was wonderful and will hopefully catch on. The stage is sparse, with subdued lighting and no video screens. The three guitarists, play steel and acoustic, mandolin and fiddle between them whilst long-time bassist, Tony Garnier, alternates between electric and double bass, producing a dynamic backdrop alongside the newest recruit, drummer Charley Drayton, who is as loose as an unlaced trainer. He has an infectious laid-back style, although seemingly waiting to really let loose on some classic heavy-hitting track. Dylan himself was almost obscured by his upright piano, of the type normally found in a backstreet pub, for all of his songs. He didn’t fall into the trap of endless greatest hits but showcased eight tracks from the 2020 ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’, which the true followers were well familiar with and ensures he remains relevant. Dylan appeared onstage to massive applause and was straight into a buoyant opener ‘Watching the River Flow’ followed by an excursion back to 1966 with ‘You Go Your Way’. Two tracks from the latest album followed. An almost-spoken ‘I Contain Multitudes’ and ‘False Prophet’, firmly rooted in 1930’s Blues, which you can imagine being sung in a very smoky bar somewhere in the Deep South (USA not UK!). Donnie Herron’s slide guitar came to the fore in 2013’s ‘Paint my Masterpiece’, demonstrating the overall versatility of Dylan’s band. Interchangeability of instruments provided many changes of light and shade in the overall performance which enhanced the performance, but never overpowering Dylan’s distinctive voice. More current tracks followed, sandwiching the fabulous ‘Melancholy Mood’ from 2016’s ‘Fallen Angels’. My personal high point was the Bluesy ‘Goodbye Jimmy Reed’, showcasing the tightness and versatility of the band who obviously enjoyed playing with each other and the interaction with an unusually smiling Dylan! Dylan closed the show with a fabulously slow ‘Every Grain of Sand’, with his trademark uplifting mouth organ dominating and extracting cheers from the audience. No need for an encore, Dylan just to stand on the stage to massive applause. It was exactly what his worshipful followers wanted to remember as they exited, strangely quietly, into the rain outside. It could only be described as subdued euphoria after paying homage to the great man.