Don’t go to a Dylan concert and complain about the voice! Don’t go to a Dylan concert and complain because he doesn’t play the songs the way they sound on record! On Friday night, Bob Dylan was headlining the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and, according to the LA Times, a lot of people complained and whined about the show.
First of all, the Hollywood Bowl is a huge place and if you have a cheap seat, forget about seeing anything, and that’s why giant video screens have been invented. However, according to the readers, the screens only displayed a ‘worthless single-shot wide-screen view and no close-ups’! The LA Times said this decision may have come from Dylan himself, and no surprise, it was confirmed by the Bowl later!
But just read this feedback from a spectator:
’This was the first time that I saw more people playing with their cellphones, talking or even making out than listening to the music, even in our seats. This was the first time I saw many, many people from high above leaving early and shaking their heads as they left. We took the shuttle to the show and during the bus ride back, 90% of the people spoke of their disappointment of the performance; everyone commented on the lack of being able to see Dylan perform … If I wanted to just 'hear' Dylan, I would have streamed a concert version, watched a couple songs on YouTube or listened to my vinyl versions of his songs. I went to experience Dylan, to see him and enjoy him.’
Personally I see plenty of people using their cells or doing incessant talking at any concert, but yeah, you get the picture!
This other comment made me laugh:
‘I'm glad the reviewer was able to identify the last song as 'Blowin' in the Wind.' I had no idea. I thought it was a new song that I had never heard before.’
A few other comments, just for fun:
‘The stage was dark, their were no closeups on the screens of the musicians, and Dylan has absolutely no audience recognition at all. Did he think he was practicing before an empty venue? Dylan still writes great music and I enjoyed the band…I just wish someone else was singing those new songs, like maybe Knoffler’
Mark Knoffler was the opener, and I have heard he still gets it, but this has crossed the line, someone else should sing Bob's songs? Have you people lost your mind?
‘I was at the show, and instead of "Tempest" this performance should be titled, "The Emporer's new Clothes", someone in Dylan's inner circle needs to be honest with him and let him know that his voice is Gone, period! ‘
Bob Dylan’s voice is gone? The voice of a generation is gone?
I wonder how long people will complain about Dylan’s awful, raucous, raspy voice and lack of connection with his audience. I saw Dylan at the Bowl years ago, his voice sounded the same way, the songs were, yeah sometimes not quite as I remember on record, and he looked pissed off the whole time, so what was new about his last performance at the Bowl? Still the LA Times review – which was very positive – got tons of negative comments… where have you been people, Dylan has Always acted like this. It's totally great that, at 71, he still enrages so many people. One last thing, on Friday night, Dylan didn’t sing any song, any, from his latest effort ‘Tempest’ despite the fact he is currently touring to promote the album!