Austin Music Source

By Joel Irby

September 16, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

Standing in the crowd tonight, not too far from stage right, I realized Bob Dylan’s singing voice can sound a bit like Jon Stewart’s George W. Bush impression. (Don’t believe me? Find the tape and re-play it, listening for the quieter, “talky” moments in some songs. Now, try to forget that mental image;)

But hey, not everyone can maintain a pleasant singing voice into their 60’s. And you don’t go to hear Bob Dylan for good vocals (or even guitar solos you can see from 100 yards). He’s a poet, man, not Pavarotti (r.i.p.)

By Beeyah

September 17, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this

Was that Ned from Southpark up there singing?

By reese

September 17, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t disagree more with this group. Dylan’s performance was over the head most of the audience. Some younger girls near me were clapping like it was a kiddie show. Ever heard the bootleg from 1964 where he chastises the audience….”If only you wouldn’t clap so much…”? His vocals were incredibly punchy, yes, gravely, but facile, and fresh for songs he’s been performing since before most of the audience was born, some twice over. For those with ears to hear I guess…others…well, they were entertained by cell phones. It’s all good. I saw one guy doing his homework! Maybe he has a test in the morning. There was a lot going on in that performance, even if most missed it.

By nspannaus

September 17, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this

Dylan has rocked for a long, long time, Now it’s time for him to pass the torch. He has songs of rainy day women twelve and thirty-five, He has soared on the wings of an angel.

It’s time to pass the torch, You’re too old to rock, no more rockin’ for you. We’re takin’ you to a home, But we will sing a song about you.

And we will make sure that you’re very well taken care of. You’ll tell us secrets that you’ve learned. Raow! Your sauce will mix with ours, And we’ll make a good goulash baby. Dylan, time to go! You must give your cape and scepter to me. And a smaller one for Jack White. Go! Go! Dylan! Dylan!

By s.b.

September 17, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this

This was the first time for me seeing Bob Dylan. I was very disappointed with the camera shots on the jumbotron. I could not see his face or how he played his instruments. His voice sounded like gravel. I left 1/2 way through the show along with others around me. He should have paid me to listen to this! It was a rip off!

By O

September 17, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this

I really liked this Dylan concert, but then I was fairly expecting his voice to be raspy and mumble-y. What a great cryptic American engima he is on stage! Delivering line after evocative line in odd cadence, ending phrases with curt exclamations that felt like the gauntlet being thrown down, stubbornly clinging to his idiosyncratic, rather Biblical take on the world…I thought the show was great, raspy hoarseness or no. Also, his current band of versatile roots masters compared well with revved-up near-garage rawk Dylan in the late ‘80’s.

By g

September 17, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this

I loved it! I thought Bob was great at Stubb’s and at ACL! I was pretty far back in the crowd and everyone near me seemed really into the show. I didn’t hear any complaints.

By Amberstone

September 17, 2007 2:15 AM | Link to this

To me he sounded like a depressed Jimmy Durante. Unlike Joe Gross I thought the mix was pretty clear.

By jack fate

September 17, 2007 5:13 AM | Link to this

the real loser here is austin, who will continue to put on this giant music festival for the music festival crowd, and those who don’t want to feel left out. any appreciator of dylan knows what he’s about now, and should have felt saved when they announced the stubbs show. music in an open field is not the grand thing people want it to be. maybe it used to be when the entire crowd was there for the music, but not now.

By Davo

September 17, 2007 5:46 AM | Link to this

Sounds like the mystery tramp struck again, i love it, and Bob. I only wish i could have attended. Why dont you come back to maui….your concert was magical…..we love ya bobby, come back soon. Aloha, Davo.

By woan

September 17, 2007 6:42 AM | Link to this

I don’t know if the mix was clear, but my dissatisfaction was a result of both the jumbotron coverage and really not being to understand the words of most of the songs.

By Dave

September 17, 2007 7:08 AM | Link to this

Dylan’s set was good, but I agree with the article that it just didn’t translate well in a festival setting. He played The Backyard on a previous stop in Austin, and that’s where I’d prefer to see him again.

By sid

September 17, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

I’ve seen Dylan four times and his voice always sounds like car wheels on a gravel road.

By rolara

September 17, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

It hurt

By Les

September 17, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this

So rude! If this is how Austin is going to react to such a legend, it doesn’t deserve the likes of Bob Dylan. Why is Austin starting to suck so bad when it comes to attitude and music?

By Adan Lerma

September 17, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this

the review said it well, he’s best in a smaller venue; and from the mouth of babes near where we stood, “…Cookie Monster!!!”

By go bob

September 17, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this

i loved the show, better than stubbs even. got to revel in the gravel. i was 100 feet behind the back speakers and sound was very good. left during last encore tune but i usually dont last that long on sunday night.

By scottR

September 17, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

the reviewer hit it on the head. Dylan is no longer suited to huge venues & crowds. I saw him in a theater a 1/3 the size of the Paramount and he was awesome. It was a disaterous decsion to not allow camera shots of him on stage. there was no way he could have looked worse than he sounded. The ACL crowd skews way too young for the likes of Dylan to be the fetsival finisher. It’s sad the younger crowd exposed to this genius literaly walked away with a negative impression of one of the most important figures in modern arts.

By Evan Walter

September 17, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

I disagree. Saw the Stubbs Show. The man is a legend. He sounded great!! I drove down from Dallas to see it and I’d drive down tomorrow if he were playing again. My only wish was that he did a couple more of his older songs.

By Willie Dylan

September 17, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

ACL can make any professional sound bad. The only fans disappointed in the sound are very under qualified music fans and deserve the lousy performances they subject themselves to just by getting suckered into the hype of ACL. In all these years, not one performance has made it into my personal top 100 live concerts of all time. What ACL needs is something huge like Van Halen or Metallica who can really cover real estate. I scanned hundreds of pics of this years ACL and all I seen was the same people dressed the same with the ability to stand in the Sun all day (The ACL Stepford Fan). Nobody over thirty naturally can not take the physical abuse. ACL is too loathsome.

By hanlon

September 17, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

Dear Bob, How many times must you keep turning your head, pretending you just doesn’t see? Bob, I shoulda known better. I shoulda seen you in NYC 40 years ago, but hey, I was only 20 and stuck in Dallas. I worshiped your music; it seemed to speak to my generation. But judging by the tens of thousands who left your set very early, you kinda wasted our precious time, and no Bob, it’s not alright, and yes I do wish you’d think twice, it’s not alright. Bob, how does it feel, to be totally on your own, with no direction home, I wasn’t sleepy and I had no place I was goin’ to. Thanks for the rider in your contract prohibiting close ups for the big screen; I can only guess you were onstage last night. Outside in the distance, a gravelly voice did howl. But hey, Bob, you’re not knock knock knockin’ on heavon’s door; you’re headed back to desolation row.

By Willie Dylan

September 17, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

ACL can make any professional sound bad. The only fans disappointed in the sound are very under qualified music fans and deserve the lousy performances they subject themselves to just by getting suckered into the hype of ACL. In all these years, not one performance has made it into my personal top 100 live concerts of all time. What ACL needs is something huge like Van Halen or Metallica who can really cover real estate. I scanned hundreds of pics of this years ACL and all I seen was the same people dressed the same with the ability to stand in the Sun all day (The ACL Stepford Fan). Nobody over thirty naturally can not take the physical abuse. ACL is too loathsome.

By J

September 17, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

I’m only a casual Dylan fan—but after he’d been singing about thirty seconds all the excitement in the groups around us just went out like a deflating balloon. Some people in front of us started packing up during the first song. No one expects him to be a great singer but my first thought was “Is he sick?” I heard others around me asking that as well. Lots of people around us started leaving very soon. Perhaps not a great match for the venue.

By Cliff

September 17, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

Being a massive Dylan fan, I felt fairly neutral about this performance. If you take Dylan’s roots, playing solo acoustic shows in small venues in the Village and extract that to the uber-festival stage, there is a lot to miss. His gravely voice is pretty much the voice he has always wanted it to be. People show up in droves to see Dylan not because they really get Dylan, but that they know his place in music history, and want to think being there connects them to history.

The choice to not put tight shots of the band on the video screen was bad, and self-indulgent to not appease the crowd, who paid good money to experience this concert. I agree, I would pay good money to see Dylan play the Paramount. This kind of artistry demands an environment where you can scream and whisper and be able to experience it all.

By Buck

September 17, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

A well informed opinion about Bob Dyaln cannot develop in 30 seconds. The subject matter of a poet is often only internalized over time. Those that check out, miss out. Fortunately for the rest of us Bob will do whatever he wants. I thought the show was fun!!

By CJ

September 17, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Could it have been the Ragweed?

By rko

September 17, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

You couldn’t see anything, thanks to no tight shots…and what you could hear was unintelligible growling noises. Waste of time.

By Luis

September 17, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Everyone were I was at was really enjoying the show and dancing up a storm. You gave a thumbs up to Bjork, that screaming Banshee? Please. She didn’t even play the allotted time much less play over (as Dylan did). Flash and lasers and weird costumes do not make good music. I guess in times when 60% you think New Mexico is another country what can I expect. Next time, I hope all you whom are criticizing will stay away so I can get up closer.

By reese

September 17, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of cry-baby consumers. They need their jumbo tron and a soothing voice. Remember when they wailed and cried and spilt bitter tears when he went electric!? Tragedy! Desolation! You didn’t match my expectation!

By Brendan

September 17, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

I am a big Dylan fan. Ive seen him numerous times over the last 10 years. His voice has been bad that whole time, but never like this. I couldnt even recognize some of the songs until the chorus. The first song I thought he was hacking up a hair ball. He is just way past his prime. He needs to stick to his being a poet over a singer.

By Suzanne

September 17, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

The ACL venue is great for loud, heavy, hard driving music. Bob Dylan was that in 1975. He is not now. I have seen Dylan a lot in the last few years and always go back for more. Dylan is hot right now and very respected. He could have all the talent in the world behind him. Charlie Sexton and Larry Campbell were perfect dynamos to deliver the brilliant material he provides. They complimented him and allowed him to be the artist with the gravelly voice that we all love and adore. His presence and charisma are unmatched. Who can attend a Dylan show and watch anyone else on stage? My point is that his band is weak, uninteresting and incapable of delivering his music. They are so boring. They’re a studio band with technical skills. I’ve dance around those thoughts for a while but the Stubbs show brought it all home to me. The great blues songs from Love and Theft were flat. There was no punch to the performances. And that is not Dylan (he has the voice for the L&T songs) except that he has made poor choices in the band. He needs to rethink it. If Denny Freeman weren’t from Austin he wouldn’t be getting these compliments. Another problem - festivals are about music. But a Dylan show is about his fans. There are two kinds of people in the world - the ones who get Dylan and the ones who don’t. People who go to festivals to see any old band are not going to get Dylan. He has a history and you need to know it. Once you know it maybe you will get him but if you don’t you’ll probably be disappointed. He will never consent to the use of the big screens for close ups. Did anyone think he would? This is a guy who puts a towel over his head walking to and from the tour bus. He is private. He performs because it keeps him alive but he makes his own rules. And those of us who get him are willing to put up with those rules to have him in our lives.

By Jon

September 17, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Sounds like it was a good idea to leave when we did, before Bob’s set. His music is wonderful, but his ability to play and sound good in that large of setting evaporated years ago. So Wilco made for a good close to my festival weekend. As I said to my wife as we were leaving, torn between staying for at least some of Dylan’s set and heading home early enough to beat some of the shuttle traffic, we’d probably be better off just going home and listing to our favorite Dylan album or just watching “No Direction Home” on DVD.

By Stuart

September 17, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

With all due respect to the incredible impact and influence Dylan has had on rock ‘n roll, the bottom line is this: ACL’s are remembered for their headlining closers and inclement weather events, and ACL ‘07 will be remembered as “the year Dylan closed…and sucked!”

By Xtoval

September 17, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

A better concert than his 2003 show at the Back Yard. His voice loosened up by the third song and sounded effective. You can’t expect much vocally from the man but at least he has mostly lost that annoying up-note he tacked on to the end of every line in the 1990s. Tangled up in Blue was great, a bit of tweaking of the lyrics, great arrangement. Other highlights were Summer Days, Ballad of a Thin Man, and the closer, I Shall Be Released. Granted, I was close enough so I didn’t have to rely on the screens. It would have been a big drag visually if you were at the back.

By Kathy

September 17, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

So does anyone know who made the awful decision to not allow tight shots of Dylan and his incredible band on the video screen? I can guarantee you the experience would have jumped from negative to meaningful if the decision had been reversed. No one expected him to suddenly have a good voice. Does Van Morrison actually have a great voice? Does Michael Stipe actually have a great voice? Of course not-but the difference in delivery and engagement with the audience is how you connect with 65k people. If C3 made the decision, let’s help influence them never to cave in like that again. If it was on Dylan’s insistence, then what does it matter anyway? That Dylan’s ego has grown through the years instead of his humility is the real message we took away on the last night of what was otherwise a good ACL.

By Casey

September 17, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

It wasn’t the ACL festival organizers choice not to put do closeups on the video screens. It was Dylan’s choice and was stipulated in his contract. If you, like me, couldn’t see his face it’s solely because Dylan didn’t want you to. A very strange mixture of vanity and paranoia; he is truly sui generis. Well, not totally; some of his lyrics remind me of Henry Timrod.

By Stan

September 17, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

People have no sense of history. They clamor around Arcade Fire, who would not exist without Dylan. They are a novelty band compared to Dylan. Gravel voice? Duh, DYLAN! Get a real person to please review concerts from now on. Tired of this indie trend.

By fast tony

September 17, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

ACL fest … when is it considered oversold? Too many people for me to want to attend was how I felt last time I was there. I thought the organizers had gotten greedy back in 03 or 04. Allowing the headliner not to be on the jumbo screen was the only way the organizers could probably get bob to agree. Who’s to blame? Bob got his money and so did the organizers. If you didn’t like it, let them know by not giving them your money next year.

It’s not the venue I’d want to experience a performer I enjoy. It you see an act at ACL I think it’s more like looking at a monument or somethng from a dsitance,..like wow, but it’s not going to be like seeing an artist you really enjoy up close, which when you see someone like Bob Dylan, can make a huge difference.

By Laura

September 17, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Joe, does anyone know WHY there were no close-ups? Was it a mechanical failure, or a C3 decision, or a Dylan condition? If it was either of the latter (as it appeared to be), there’s just no excuse.

By Mark

September 17, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Like many others here, I was particularly disaapointed with the lack of visable video & the mediocre sound was as expected from Dylan at a large venue. As far as I’m concerned large venue shows like ACL are FOR THE FANS who support them. In the future any artist who is signed to perform at ACL and issues demands which are not benefial FOR THE FANS & tend only to serve their own self indulgent, self rightous, indignant and pompus a*s personalities should be shown to the door with a boot long before showtime!

By Adam

September 17, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Pretty sad that most of these comments were so negative. You all sound like ” another picky deadhead”, those who criticized Jerry for not always remembering the words, sometimes mumbling etc., but it was about the music, energy,love and vibes and it still is!

The man does what he does, on his own terms,over 150 nights a year. If you go to a large venue and you want be up front, you need to get there early in the morning, or whenever it takes. If you go to an arena, you need to insure that you get great seats. Wouldn’t matter who you were seeing, if you are not in the center of the stacks, within the first 200 feet, most venues have shitty sound.

If you can’t make the effort, maybe it pays to stay home!

Keep it up Bob! Wish I was there, see you in a few weeks…

By M2

September 17, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Gee, Dylan can’t sing. Here’s a news flash…Dylan never could sing. Even before the 40-plus years of touring, his voice was pretty bizarre. Now it’s just gravelly and bizarre. But the music is not about his voice…it’s about the MUSIC and the incredible poetry of his lyrics. If the mix was bad, well, ACL at Zilker Park is a long way from ACL on a KLRU soundstage. Outdoor concerts are not known for sound quality. If you don’t know the lyrics, google them or ask your parents…his words are amazing and they spoke to generation. I, for one, ended my festival experience in the presence of a legend and will not soon forget it.

By M2

September 17, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Gee, Dylan can’t sing. Here’s a news flash…Dylan never could sing. Even before the 40-plus years of touring, his voice was pretty bizarre. Now it’s just gravelly and bizarre. But the music is not about his voice…it’s about the MUSIC and the incredible poetry of his lyrics. If the mix was bad, well, ACL at Zilker Park is a long way from ACL on a KLRU soundstage. Outdoor concerts are not known for sound quality. If you don’t know the lyrics, google them or ask your parents…his words are amazing and they spoke to a generation. I, for one, ended my festival experience in the presence of a legend and will not soon forget it.

By ali

September 17, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

I was up front for dylan (about 100 yards from the stage). It was not hard to get up there. The only hard part was getting through the massive chair sea set up by the same a******s who monopolized the front areas when chairs were allowed closer. I think the chair line being moved back even more from last year was a godsend. With that said, I thought this was a great show by Bob Dylan. The sound was excellent. His band was excellent, especially Denny Freeman on lead guitar. Yes, his voice was surprisingly gravelly, but what a treat it was to see him. I guess to the chair people it was a bummer about the screens not showing close-ups. To that I say…..get out of your chair and come closer! It wasn’t that hard. I’m 36 and saw plenty of “older folks” in their 50’s and 60’s rocking out to the show. Viva ACL!

By Jackson

September 17, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Joe Gross writes of the Dylan set that things looked and sounded grim from the opening number, that the sound mix was muddy, and that people were leaving in droves.

I don’t know where Joe was physically located, but if the sound was muddy to him, and if he could see people leaving in droves, then he was clearly positioned in a lousy spot for a critic reviewing a Dylan show.

We were fairly close-in, just 15-20 yards from the stage, standing center left, and we clearly comprehended every word of every song. As a critic, Gross should have been in a spot where he could have fairly reviewed the show on the stage instead of reviewing what the show sounded like from the “cheap seats.”

Every act is different; some require different audience considerations. Some acts are built to play to the back row, and musically I have no doubt that Dylan’s band made the reach even if his voice didn’t.

Contrary to some of the comments here, the band smoked, Denny Freeman in particular, and Bob was Bob: engaged and in focus (except for the jumbo-tron, of course!) I imagine that many of the comments posted here are from folks who wouldn’t know Dylan if their life depended on it, but who show up and expect it to be like their records and CD’s.

My only complaint: people who insist in sitting down in large groups. I went for beers 40 minutes before the show started, and getting back to my peeps was a nightmare because those seated make it almost impossible to work one’s way thru the crowd. This is NOT your own backyard. Stand so that others can get thru. Also, keep the food out of the packed crowds near the stage; eat on the perimeter where trash cans are located. It is rude beyond belief the way some people behave in public.

By tom

September 17, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Bob is a legend and apparently he did the show his way. I totally enjoyed it for what it was, a chance to see Bob Dylan in an open field. The glowing balloons were cool! I feel c3 is to blame for letting down the ACL fans by booking an act that in known for not caring about the audience. Suggestions for keeping it LIVE next year, Little Richard…Whoo!

By ss

September 17, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

you people are pathetic … it was a GREAT show .. totally solid .. tight band … DYLAN was on stride …. beautiful evening …. what has happenned to austin .. all these cry babies … if you wanted MTV shots then stay home

By Julio

September 17, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

You people who did not like Dylan are trendy, pampered jokes. We don’t want you posers with us anymore. Next time spend your precious Daddy’s $ for the Dylan of YOUR, ahem, “imagination” - Justin Timberlake. You know something’s happening but you don’t know what it is, uh, do you!!!??

By Diana

September 17, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

I saw him at Stubbs and at the backyard a few years ago. Both shows were incredible. Come on people, this is BOB DYLAN we’re talking about.

By Julio

September 17, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

You people who did not like Dylan are trendy, pampered jokes. We don’t want you posers with us anymore. Next time spend your precious Daddy’s $ for the Dylan of YOUR, ahem, “imagination” - Justin Timberlake. You know something’s happening but you don’t know what it is, uh, do you!!!??

By tom

September 17, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

July 1965 - Bob goes ELECTRIC. Fast forward. Sept 2007 - Bob goes BIG SCREEN. All these comments are just echoes of the past. Thanks to all those who left early which allowed me to get a good view up front!

By Eve

September 17, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

In Paul McCartney’s book, Many Years from Now he states that John Lennon wrote “You’ve got to hide your love away” as a “nod to Dylan”, that Lennon was “enamored” by Dylan because of his poetry. In Linda McCartney’s “Sixties, Portrait of an Era” she tells how after a “magical performance” at Carnegie Hall (1968) which was part of a tribute performance to Woody Guthrie she attended a party at the Dakota where Dylan was also. She asked him there if she could take his picture and he said he would rather she didn’t. Later on, after her marriage to Paul, she writes how she did take some pictures of Dylan, but not as many as she would have liked. She has one photo of Dylan in her book. She say’s it was taken from quite a distance. All I am saying – Dylan doesn’t need us – we need him. “To keep it in your mind and not forget, that it is not he, or she, or them or it, that you belong to”. I’m glad I had this opportunity to hear him Sunday. You think he’s not relevant – write one line that will stand the test of time – need some inspiration – he’s given us plenty.

By AmyP

September 17, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

I’m a long-time Dylan fan. My husband and I took our 15 year old to the show at Stubbs. I agree with the reviewers - there were far too many people there for whom the performance just went straight over their heads. The band was simply amazing, Denny being a real standout.

Dylan started a little slow and stiff - not much emotion on the face. Then he got to singing about love and I saw him loosen up - the years dropped away. Getting on the keyboards, he swayed and dipped as he was caught in the music, and improvising another clever turn on the words and rhythms of old standards. As we heard this stream of creative twists and turns coming from his vocals, even in his old gravely goat voice, I realized that I was in the presence of pure, unadulterated genius, the likes of which one is lucky to glimpse once in a lifetime.

He still has the heart of a romantic poet, at the end of the day. Still hopeful.

But I’m not cut out for ‘standing shows’, or the territorial possessiveness of the Stubbs crowd. Mr. Dylan, we love your work, but we can’t do shows with ‘children’ around anymore - including the tall ones who won’t give way to short folks or remove their hats. Hope to see you again at a seated venue soon.

One last note - the sound at Stubbs was better than the sound at ACL.

By Mark

September 17, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

The worst part about this show was that I left GLO (by far the best show of the festival) to head over to see Dylan, a terrible mistake on my part.

By Robert

September 17, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Kudos to all REAL Dylan fans who get it. To all you haters…well you just don’t get it. You were texting your friend that you were seeing Dylan and would show pics on your phone tomorrow in 1st period. He has never been for the fans-he never will be. If you need a big screen or the greatest voice, head to Vegas and see any of those washed up “artists”. I purposely stayed away from this show because it was too big and he needs to be heard in an intimate venue. I knew this would be the response and I personally did not want to be in company of idiots who think they know everything about music. Everyone who played this weekend at ACL owes a debt to Dylan. Sorry, but it’s true.

By oxtotl

September 17, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

The coolest thing about the show is that most of the drunks left after the first songs, so we could enjoy the show! Thats D-Y-L-A-N, Brett. By not having good video, that meant the people not interested would leave-great strategy! I loved the show…. Ya gotta read between the lines…hello? Subtle- did you not get it? War- devestation of environment? Um, WHO left ALL that TRASH lying around, anyway?

By oxtotlo

September 17, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

My favorite rif was when he went funky- kinda rapping with himself— He brilliantly plays with his lyrics and cadences in poetic artistry…that is his trademark. Joan Baez is one of the people who play with him, cuz she could predict his style, knowing him well. He is as great as he ever was-
he keeps it fresh by rearranging and changing words. If everyone in the audience can “cover” Dylan songs, why on earth would he “cover” his own songs——he plays with his music and words and really entertains if you listen… I had drunks tripping over me during the set—-rushing up to the stage, then turning around and heading out. LOL

By David

September 17, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

I wasn’t there; I’m sorry people were disappointed. His San Antonio show last year was outstanding. As the reviewer writes, perhaps the festival setting just isn’t right for him.

By Johnny

September 17, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

New Rule: Next year’s ACL headliner has to still be alive. Bob Dylan is the worst festival closer I have ever heard. Sure, he’s a legend. But he litterally can barely talk anymore. Sorry, but I don’t care how great you think Dylan is, that set sounded horrible. I could barely even tell what song he was ‘trying’ to sing. Terrible.

By Adam

September 17, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

It was the equivalent of watching Jerry West come back to play for the LA Lakers.

By Bethany

September 17, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

I was 3 people away from the front, so I had a different experience than most I’m sure. I was ecstatic the whole time. A few times he was acting frisky and smiling. He looked like he was having a good time, the wily rascal.. Anyway. Sorry for the folks at the back who didn’t enjoy it. If you’re passionate enough about his music to wait 9 hours for the front row, it’s worth it.

By rick

September 17, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Dylan was mildly disappointing, but still a decent show…like to know who was the genius who launched the hot air devices…evidently they did their homeowrk and had perfect trajectory over the crowd. I ‘m surprised some security Nazi didn’t shoot one down.

By Barb

September 17, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Yes he is a legend…..but sitting at the back of the crowd, it was amazing to see people leaving in droves by the third song. Not just young kids who might not be into his music, but older fans too. I was looking forward to seeing Dylan for the first time. I was disappointed with the performance.

By DJ

September 17, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Anyone that is supporting the Dylan show as a “true fan” of Dylan is ignoring the fact that the ACL Dylan show sucked. It’s that simple. When so many people leave, it must have sucked. I love Dylan.. but when you sound that bad and can’t be seen (no close ups), you need to retire. I paid money to see him. I feel like I was ripped off. Does he really need to keep touring to make money???? In the words of a friend, he sounded like a out of shape smoker after chasing the icecream truck.

By Tim

September 17, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

ZIGGY MARLEY waas the best perfomance of the festival. The WAMU stage was the best if you really wanted to hear and see the bands.

By Marlboro Man

September 17, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

For all of the messianic Dylan-ites trashing folks commenting upon last night’s performance by claiming that they just didn’t “get it,” please. Being in the presence of a legend doesn’t mean that the performance was legendary or, for that matter, particularly good. Just because Dylan or any other legend farts in the room your standing in doesn’t mean that you’ve smelled rarified air.

Sure, he’s a poet and a legend, the band was top-notch and the music was skillfully played and passable if not particularly emotional. And the lyrics on paper may be sheer genius. But the scraw coming through those speakers was neither particularly entertaining nor thought provoking. Even up close where the sound and the mix were perfectly fine, about the only deep thoughts that the performance evoked were “I wonder what song he’s singing” and “Gee, I think the legend might need a Sucrets.” (Along with, “he must be playing ‘Everybody wants to get stoned’ because all the old folks in the vicinity just fired up their pipes.”)

Folks in Austin turn out in droves for John Dee Graham as well as for Tom Wait, both of whom have a quite rough and gravel-ly deliveries. But last night was something entirely different—much more akin to trying to decipher the words of a toddler who just smoked two packs of Malboros.

Maybe the venue, the the set up, the video screens and the audience being spread across several acres didn’t agree with Bob and visa versa. That’s not necessarily his fault and that may be something for C3 to sort out when booking closing acts in the future. And he’s undoubtably much better in a more intimate venue where his “genius” can be better appreciated.

But when the deaf folks watching the Assisted Sign Language person are the only ones in the audience who have a reasonable chance of understanding what’s being said on stage, you’ve got a real problem.

By jim

September 17, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

did all the negative comment folks think marvin gaye was going to sing or mtv was being broadcast/the music is timeless,the lyrics are forever!get a clue kids or hit the frat parties for cover bands!

By ORS

September 17, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

I could forgive a lot but neither the singing nor the sound was any good. Yes, Dylan is a poet but for him to be a good performing poet, his words have to be heard. There were sound problems on that stage all festival long … how many tries do the festival organizers need to get it right? They had sound/volume problems on that same stage last year. So Dylan was incoherent but them the sound mix was so bad that I couldn’t hear the music either. Why stay?

By Content Love Knowles

September 17, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

I can’t get with you on this, Joe, except that I agree that I’d always prefer to see Dylan in a more intimate venue. That being said, what do you expect when it’s a crowd of over 30,000 or more? It’s a pity that his rider stipulated “no close ups” but otherwise, the show exceeded my expectations in that once he warmed up, last night’s song renditions had a bite and danceability that I didn’t go looking for. I’m delighted that the crowd thinned as it allows me and the folks I was with to move up in front of the sound booth into a dining room sized hole where we had room to dance, along with all the other dancing, boogieing people. I would agree that his voice is trashed, but I honestly don’t care, I’m there for his lyrics and his presentation, along for the ride with Bob, so to speak. I would say though that last night’s performance was probably not very accessible to people who aren’t pre-familiar with the material. The mix didn’t seem muddy to me, but it did seem undermiked for the size and breadth of the crowd. I got more than I bargained for, and I’m a skeptic. And however many people may have bailed, when I left after the encore, I left with thousands and thousands of people, all of whom were buzzing, all of whom stayed.

But yeah, if he does 5 nights at the Paramount, I’ll surely be there. I like to actually see the instruments and the faces of the people playing them!

By BC

September 17, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Being 50 something and living his early career I felt I had realistic expectations and had my son in tow for an education in musical poetry. Sadly even knowing the lyrics didn’t help decifer what was going on. No camera work to draw the audience into the performance, and a lower range rasp that sounded like laryngitis. At least the band still has musical greatness. All I could think, was that years of heavy smoking have finally taken their toll. I will be sad to remember such an unfortunate end to an otherwise spectacular festival and career.

By lAGUNA bEACH

September 17, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

We flew into Austin from So. Cal and love the city - The festival was great and I discovered some excellent talent there I hadn’t known of ( Amos Lee, Ryan Shaw ….) One of the deciding Factors in coming of course was that Dylan was gonna be there - Let me preface my next statement by saying , I have been a singer in a working band for 18 years, and on several occasions have had to cancel a gig from suffering the affects of Laryngitis … but what I heard come out of Dylan’s mouth was something much more frightening… seriously, I have never, ever heard anything so bad. I only say this because I hope that one day he will be able to sing again. It sounded to me as if there is some type potentially irreparable damage done to whatever was left of his vocal chords. I pray he can see a doctor with some of the 6 figures he must have earned for his set - I estimate they paid him at least 700 grand - and no close ups - that just sucked… I lobe dylan. blood on the tracksis top ten all time, but he is done…

By lAGUNA bEACH

September 17, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

We flew into Austin from So. Cal and love the city - The festival was great and I discovered some excellent talent there I hadn’t known of ( Amos Lee, Ryan Shaw ….) One of the deciding Factors in coming of course was that Dylan was gonna be there - Let me preface my next statement by saying , I have been a singer in a working band for 18 years, and on several occasions have had to cancel a gig from suffering the affects of Laryngitis … but what I heard come out of Dylan’s mouth was something much more frightening… seriously, I have never, ever heard anything so bad. I only say this because I hope that one day he will be able to sing again. It sounded to me as if there is some type potentially irreparable damage done to whatever was left of his vocal chords. I pray he can see a doctor with some of the 6 figures he must have earned for his set - I estimate they paid him at least 700 grand - and no close ups - that just sucked… I love dylan. blood on the tracksis top ten all time, but he is done…

By MM

September 17, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

For all of the messianic Dylan-ites trashing folks commenting upon last night’s performance by claiming that they just didn’t “get it,” please. Being in the presence of a legend doesn’t mean that the performance was legendary or, for that matter, particularly good. Just because Dylan or any other legend farts in the room your standing in doesn’t mean that you’ve smelled rarified air.

Sure, he’s a poet and a legend, the band was top-notch and the music was skillfully played and passable if not particularly emotional. And the lyrics on paper may be sheer genius. But the scraw coming through those speakers was neither particularly entertaining nor thought provoking. Even up close where the sound and the mix were perfectly fine, about the only deep thoughts that the performance evoked were “I wonder what song he’s singing” and “Gee, I think the legend might need a Sucrets.” (Along with, “he must be playing ‘Everybody wants to get stoned’ because all the old folks in the vicinity just fired up their pipes.”)

Folks in Austin turn out in droves for John Dee Graham as well as for Tom Wait, both of whom have a quite rough and gravel-ly deliveries. But last night was something entirely different—much more akin to trying to decipher the words of a toddler who just smoked two packs of Malboros.

Maybe the venue, the set up, the video screens and the audience being spread across several acres didn’t agree with Bob and visa versa. That’s not necessarily his fault and that may be something for C3 to sort out when booking closing acts in the future. And he’s undoubtably much better in a more intimate venue where his “genius” can be better appreciated.

But when the deaf folks watching the Assisted Sign Language person are the only ones in the audience who have a reasonable chance of understanding what’s being said on stage, you’ve got a real problem.

By James

September 17, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

The closer should be audible to all the ticketbuyers who want to hear him. Even if they’re in the very back. Dylan wasn’t.

By clickhand

September 17, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

did anyone else notice that Bob looked like a Satyr when he was standing behind the keyboard? Part man, part goat. If I ever see him again and he looks like a Satyr, I probably won’t see him a 3rd time.

By clickhand

September 17, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Is Bob too old to play guitar for an entire show? Only playing guitar for 3 songs is kind of sad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone morph into a Satyr during a concert before…

By SRB

September 17, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

I wish there was something positive I could say about Bob’s performance, but it was just plain awful. I went to this show because I love his music. I have over 20 of his albums and love them all. The debt owed to him by musicians and music fans (whether they know it or not) is immeasurable. I realize he never had a technically great voice, but there was enough passion, urgency and clarity in the voice and the words that it didn’t matter. I didn’t hear ANY of that on Sunday night. He was halfway through a song before I realized it was “It Ain’t Me Babe”. That’s just sad.

The band sounded great. There’s my positive comment.

Bob, I say this as a fan, as someone who cares. Please stop touring. It breaks my heart to see you on stage incoherently croaking out your masterpieces like this.

By norm

September 17, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Re: the jumbotron. The “dying goat” was just making a point - his music should be heard, not seen. Rock on, Bob!

By Melanie Smith

September 17, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Wow. As a 40 something, casual Dylan fan, I was amazed at how great he looked, his performance was awesome, and his voice sounded like Bob Dylan, the legend poet laureat. Everyone around me enjoyed it. I paid $85 for a one-day pass JUST to see Bob and I’d do it again. Leaving, I talked to 2 kids half my age who drove up from Harlingen for ACL because of Dylan and stayed to the end, like I did. An obvious point- everyone had the same opportunity to claim their seat. As a claustrophic, I was about 40 people away from the stage and maintained enough space to stay comfortable throughout the show. (My young friends were at the stage 3 hours early and got a second row position!) Bob: forgive the unappreciative, for they know not how their ignorance closes their mind to the roots of music as they know it.

By md compute

September 17, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

And you people who are trying to convince yourself that it was an amazing show are hypocrits!!you claim that just because we’re all dissapointed that we couldnt make out his beautiful words, we must like jokes like justin timberlake? come on! Jack White couldnt have said it better (even though i’m pissed at him too): if you like music for an identity, you like it for the wrong reason! a true music lover loves the music, not because they’re suppose to becuase it makes them feel like they’re knowledgable and deep and superior. get over yourselves. if you like Dylan’s music for his amazing poetic ability, then you had to have been dissapointed last night, because there was no way those lyrics were audible. im grateful i saw such a talented man, but i pity him and all of us who wanted to sing along.

By Charles Mulford

September 18, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

Sucks for the writer of this column. I was up front. The concert was INCREDIBLE! Amazing versions of great songs (time-tested, and relatively new ones too!) The band never missed a note, and neither did Dylan. His vocal stylings added incredible new nuances to his songs. The man was brilliant as ever, and I feel bad for the people that didn’t get as close as we did.

This review doesn’t reflect the concert experience I had.

By Tim

September 18, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Who the hell goes to see Dylan (or any good music for that matter) at a festival with 25,000 plus people?

By michael

September 18, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

what an idiot! dulan hasn’t played guitar for about five years until 2007 because of a hand injury. he has been on keyboards since about 2002. you would know that if you knew ANYthing about the man or his shows. i see you are very proud of your use of the word ‘satyr’, so much so that you have to capitalize it. you sure are a smart boy!!!!

By Georgia

September 18, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this

Somebody wrote: I could barely even tell what song he was ‘trying’ to sing. ——-Doh!—————— That’s the point, you weren’t listening- even WAY in the back, I could understand exactly what he was singing— Did you hear him protest the war and global warning? Did you hear him sing about a new wife and Jesus? Did you hear him rap and oldie but goodie? Nope- it wasn’t an MTV show. WAaaaaaaaaah! Too many people whining into their cell phones is all I can complain about. Austin for Austinites. Keep Austin … well, you know-Texan. As opposed to Californian.

By Jeni

September 18, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

Dylan is a legend, it’s true. But the commentary is spot on. The jumbotron, the mix, the Tom Waits meets Texas Swing rendition of most of his songs…it all made for a less than engaging concert.

That said, did I stay. Sure as hell I did. After all, how many people are able to say they say Bob Dylan in concert? My three little girls now have a mommy that has. Cool.

By Scott

September 18, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

I thought Dylan’s vocals were generally horrifying as well, but it seemed to me that he did a much better job on the newer material. His vocals seemed more expressive, at least. It was on the classics that I thought they were completely flat and non-musical. Maybe it’s hard for him to inject life and emotion into older material that he’s done a million times. I think that the show would have been better had he just done more recent material. I know people would have sqwaked about not hearing the obvious choices, but from a musical standpoint it seemed like things kicked in for Dylan and the band on the newer stuff. Particularly the swingin’ jazzy stuff.

By Kem

September 18, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

I was completely disappointed. I’d been looking forward to seeing Dylan - I mean, he’s a legend and an amazing poet/lyricist. As close as we were, I couldn’t understand 90% of the vocals and can’t believe he never once aknowledged the audience. The musicians and music were exellent but Bob was an unfortunate choice for the Sunday headliner.

By Mike

September 18, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

I was probably 20 rows back or so and thought it was a great time. Yeah, it probably would have been nice to have better camera angles on the giant screens, but if you’re just watching the screens, then why go?

When he started to play Ballad of a Thin Man, I wondered to myself if he chose it on purpose, feeling the vibes that it sounds like many in the crowd were sending his way.

Up front, everyone seemed happy. You’re watching one of the most important musicians in the history of recorded music, why wouldn’t you be happy? Because you couldn’t watch a closeup of his bass player? Give me a break.

By SLAG

September 18, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

And this is why Ghostland Observatory absolutely destroyed during their show…need big, loud acts at ACL!

By eli whitney

September 18, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Please enlighten me as to why it’s important that Dylan acknowledge the audience. I see this all of the time in tourist reviews of Dylan’s shows. Would you like him better if he screamed “Thank you, Austin,” “Hello, Austin.” Do you need that kind of validation. I don’t think Dylan’s ever been billed as “Storytellers.” I also know that he’s thanked the audience at the end of each show. You payed your money and Dylan played 15-17 songs. It was worth less because he didn’t engage in stage banter? Go see Lionel Ritchie if you need acknowledgment.

By Cody

September 18, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

For shame Austin! A true legand comes to town and this is how we treat him!? He is 66 and has probably played 200+ shows a year for over 30 years and you complain you didn’t get a good show? It was one of the best sounding festivals I have ever attended and although his voice is fairly raspy, why would you make personal insults to him? Go listen to your Coldplay, or your Blue October, or any of the other lame bands that will be forgotten and gone a year from now! I had a great time and think you all need to remember that Dylan is, and always has been, about the music and lyrics. He is indeed a true poet.

By ACL Newbie

September 18, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

This was my first and last time at ACL. $80 a day for three worthless days - who knew? 3-day passes sold out so quickly I thought I better move. It was my first summer here and I take it as a lesson learned. Mediocre bands, a poorly organized venue and much too HOT and uncomfortable for the civilized concert goer. I thought at least I’d get to see a legend - I saw him several years ago in a small club in L.A. It wasnt the best show, but this sucked. Poor old Bob. A poet, a legend but well past his prime. He should just take the mike and read his songs - no more attempts at singing, PLEASE!

By Ryan

September 18, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

On a scale of 1-10, I’d put Dylan’s set at a 3, only because he has an amazing backing band. Don’t get me wrong, he is an amazing songwriter, but he has reached the point where he doesn’t live up to his reputation anymore. I expected the greatest show of my life, but left after realizing that “It Ain’t Me, Babe” wasn’t the same song it was. Although it was great to even see such a legend in person, Dylan’s overall performance lacked enthusiasm and clarity. :(

By DJPJ

September 18, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

I felt bad laughing during his set. I kinda felt the enormity of the fact that I was seeing someone my parents never got to see. Even though they grew up in the 60’s in Berkeley. But I couldn’t help but think the entire time, “This voice sounds like any normal guy impersonating Bob Dylan.” I wasn’t even sure it was him since he wore a hat and the cameras never panned in on his face. I did my best impression of him and I was more entertaining. Maybe because I was tired and my feet hurt. But I really considered making my way back through the mass of people to get home early.

By suzanne

September 19, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of whiners. “I wanted to sing along”. “His voice was terrible.” “He didn’t even acknowledge the audience.” “Why weren’t the big screens on?” “Why only 3 songs on the guitar?” All you people who claim to be music fans should do your homework on the man who is the biggest influence on intelligent rock there is. These are all facts that anyone who has ever known anything about Dylan already knows. They are not surprises. He has always done it his way and thank God for that. He said it himself a long time ago - “I can’t do With God on Our Side for the rest of my life.” And have you ever listened to Maggie’s Farm? It’s one of Dylan’s most frequently performed songs and for a reason. He’s reminding us as he sings it over and over at show after show that he is nobody’s slave. All you rebels out there need to show some respect for one of the original modern rebels. He is not your puppet and he has never made decisions based on popular demands and trends. As for him not acknowledging the audience - listen to the words - he’s acknowledging you with his songs and we’re all damn lucky he still does it. And one more thing…he didn’t cancel THREE DAYS prior to the show for “acute anxiety”. Am I the only one who reads that as “I don’t feel like doing it”?

By Mike

September 19, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

There is something undeniably laughable about people blogging on the Internet that Bob Dylan should stop singing and just stick to “being a poet” … the guy is in his mid 60s and tours more than any major recording artist I can think of, bringing joy to thousands and thousands of fans on an almost nightly basis. Yet you think his voice sounds bad, so he should stop? Just laughable.

By geritol

September 19, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

There is always something to complain about I suppose. For me initially it would be the $2 waters and $6 beers. Of course there was the heat, but why complain about what you can?t change, i.e. getting older. We were there by noon and moved about listening to the various groups waiting for 8:30pm. As Dylan started to sing ?They?ll stone you when you?re trying to be so good ??, I thought what a good choice to begin with. Seemed to me Dylan was telling us, ?I know what?s in-store so I?ll beat you to the punch?.We were not up close. Would we have liked to have seen him better ? well sure. I loved hearing him sing so many of the songs from Modern Times. I knew all the words well from having listened to it over and over after first buying it. I especially enjoyed Workingman?s Blues. I thought it was cool that he immediately went in to playing his songs. All day long the other bands we had heard were like teachers leading school kids, ?now this side sing this and this side sing that, or .. how you doing.. etc..? Other highlights ? Tangled Up in Blue, Like a Rolling Stone and I Shall be Released. He thanked each member of the band ? the audience could have done more to respond in kind I thought. But hey, I think of the Ramones who even did a cover of Dylan?s ?My Back Pages?. Dylan at least has been given the recognition he so deserves, at times throughout his career. The Ramones struggled with hostile audiences always, recognition coming late, even after some of their deaths. But how many times have you seen a celebrity or celebrity?s child wearing their famous logo? And finally about that ?goat?, the only connection here is that it seems that Dylan was able to get some of the crowd and critics ?goat?. Sure he?s older, but ?Bobby Rotten? he is not ? rather I?d say he?s ?Bobby Still Good?. Gabba Gabba Hey!

By Brian from Seattle

September 19, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

If you’re familiar with Bob Dylan’s shows these days, the Stubbs BBQ performance was quite a good set. His voice was as strong as it’s going to get, and the sound quality was exceptional. The great highlight for his fans - he pulled out You’re A Big Girl Now, which he hasn’t played in years! Dylan uses quite a few new songs from Modern Times, which are insightful, quiet ballads which require attention and patience from the audience. That’s too much to ask from a drunken festival crowd. A highly amusing point was Denny Freeman, normally fairly stoic on Bob’s stage, Freeman was moving all around and really getting into it. He must have had a lot friends there.

Sunday was different, of course. I would imagine the air quality and allergies had a lot to do with how his voice sounded. But a trooper and a pro as he always is, he went on with the show. The great highlight for those that stuck around, was a three-song encore, with an I Shall Be Released finale, another seldom-played gem from The Bard. True, there were far too many ballads from Modern Times for such a gigantic festival crowd, but the folks that book the festival should be familiar with his set - and perhaps a sleepy closer is what they wanted. Sound quality? Well, you can’t blame Dylan for that. And video: anyone one that knows Bob Dylan, knows that he hates cameras when he performs. So no surprises there.

Perhaps in the media previews for the festival - especially considering he was the closer - it should have been mentioned what to expect from a Dylan show. That way new fans would have been better prepared. Video, lasers, folksy interaction…shouldn’t the music and the songs be good enough to stand on their own?

By Richard Dykan perez

September 19, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

Highway 61 Dylan @ ACL this proves everything dylan fans real dylan fans not the fakes enjoy.And i have a whole lot more be patient.

By sandy

September 21, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

I was extremely disappointed with your review of Dylan at ACL. I personally am STILL in music heaven and totally awe-struck seeing Dylan in concert. For all the years of performing, he is a rock icon that is still making viable contributions to music. It was an astounding and overwhelming experience just to be his presence-even if I wasn’t up close & personal. However, its his voice and his music that takes me way down deep into my soul and resonates peaceful harmony with him and his music.

The total experience ascended to another plane when on the last song, at the very last line the band stopped playing, and after a brief pause, Dylan leaned into the mic and said, “like a rolling stone”. To say that it was magical, awesome, soul-shattering, a unique gift that is burned into my brain forever is inappropriate and an extreme understatement! It is totally inadequate to say that the entire experience was ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!

The fact that Denny Freeman actually had his delightfully wonderful guitar solo is very, very rare for Dylan to do, and his solo was absolutely awesome.