We all know poor Bob's voice is like a car with a bad engine; you know it doesn't sound right, but now and again it comes good and you're just too scared to try and fix it, because as first impressions go, there's not a lot else on Bob's side tonight. It's good to see Bob on guitar for the first few numbers because it's not long before hardcore punters start screaming, "I used to be a fan in the sixties, get me out of here."
 | | Bob Dylan, young and fresh-faced in 1962 |
Bob's back behind a cheap-looking (and sounding) organ, playing it very badly. Sometimes he's not playing it - which is a blessed relief to all concerned. Am I annoyed? Far from it, this is one of the funniest and most inspiring gigs I have ever witnessed - it's all and more I expected from good old Mr Grumpy. Classics such as 'Highway 61' eventually reveal themselves. "I'll name that tune in err, give us a minute, hold on, it's coming... 'It's Stuck Inside Of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again!'" proudly exclaims my mate, before disgruntling nearby punters as he heads off in search for a toilet. "Course it was," I reply. Three nil to him then and it's not even half time yet. Lights dim between numbers, Bob blows a few notes on his harmonica and bang, that's the only cue his grey-suited side-men receive before we're into the next son. But hang on, this time it comes good as it does on most of the songs from 'Modern Times'. 'The Levee's Gonna Break' swings like a swing powered by the brute force of Big Daddy and Geoff Capes; it's got so much momentum it could rock back and forth forever. So could 'Summer Days' from Dylan's other great recent album 'Love And Theft'. If further proof of Bob's recent renaissance was ever needed it comes tonight during the tender 'Spirit On The Water'. Okay, Bob nearly ruins it with his organ stabs, but it receives the biggest cheer of the evening and you realise it's just the best song he's written in years. His voice comes good at times too and so does his harmonica, if only he'd just grab an acoustic and do a few bars of 'Blowin In The Wind' it would make the bearded men's night cause a lot of them, like Bob, are gettin on a bit now, knockin on heaven's door as it were. No pun intented. Bob finally acknowledges the audience after first encore 'Thunder In The Mountain.' Albiet just to introduce his band, but we'll let him off; we can hear Bob on his radio show any time, and as we all know, the music comes first every time. "How does it feel, to be on your own" cracks his voice during another name-that-tune guesser. "Easy one, it's 'Like A Rolling Stone'" grins me mate, all bladder now relieved. The final scores come in about 7-7; there were a few numbers we didn't know, but we're still exploring Bob's back catalogue. Just young lads you see, with a lot to learn from Mr Grouchy. Later, we wait for a tram on a crowded platform in the warm night air. It could read like the opening narrative from one of Bob's Theme Time Radio Hours: A beautiful woman aged about 50 reaches for the pockets of her dark brown coat as a tram cautiously approaches the station. Her face has lines but her eyes tell a different story of former beauty. She kisses her bearded partner as they listen to excitable post-gig chatter from the young ones, some slagging off Bob's performance, some loving, it, while some are indifferent and just light roll-ups, looking forward to a cool beer in a late night bar. It doesn't matter to her, she's followed Bob all her life and will continue to do so, cause she's just seen some of the old magic and some glimpses of genius on this Never Ending Tour. Dave Wright :: Bob Dylan played at Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield on 14th April, 2OO7 | 
