Photo: Micelotta/Getty
We’ll never forget when – two months after 9/11 -- Bob Dylan played Madison Square Garden and declared, "You don’t have to ask me how I feel about this town. Most of these songs were written here and the ones that weren’t were recorded here."
Bob always saves his best for his old stomping ground, and last Friday night he absolutely destroyed shit up on 175th Street at the United Palace Theater.
(Even though he's clearly stated that "old young, age don't carry weight," it's important to mention that Bob is still kicking everyone's ass at age 67.)
It was his 100th and final show of 2008, and he jump-started the eighteen-song set with “Gotta Serve Somebody,” delivered from the center of the stage accompanied only by his harp. It was the first time he played the song since February 5th, 2002, and halfway through he started freestyling crazy new verses like:
"Over and Out/Under and In/No matter where you are/No matter where you’ve been/You still gotta serve somebody."
Bob followed that up with "The Times They Are A-Changin'", which was played last on election night. He strapped on a guitar for “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” (originally released on Greatest Hits Vol. II). It was the first time he’d performed that song in New York in more than forty-five years!
Other highlights included “Desolation Row,” a spookily arranged "'Til I Fell In Love With You" and Modern Times killers like "The Levee’s Gonna Break," "Thunder On the Mountain," and "Ain't Talkin'."
The crowd was awesome too – many of them had scored tickets through the Dylan fan club.
During "Spirit On the Water," Bob sang, "You think I’m over the hill?"
To which everyone screamed, "Noooo!"
"You think I’m past my prime?"
"Noooo!"
"Let me see what you got, we could have a whoppin’ good time."
"Yessss!"
Share
Email
Stumble
AIM
Del.icio.us
DiggThis
Fark It!
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.
Get RS Mobile
RSS
theresa huether | December 1, 2008 10:03 AM
been listenin' since '66, when my older brother would sit and play 'like a rollin' stone' on his acoustic. Just can't wait to meet Dylan in heaven.
sam | December 1, 2008 9:17 AM
saw him in holland cant wait till he comes back
themiller | November 30, 2008 2:37 PM
The show was mediocre, sometimes terrible. Nice to see he still has some poetry and humor (opening with Serve Somebody in Rev. Ike's old church). I'm not spoiled. I don't yearn for the old Bob and have as much respect for him as I ever did. I've given the most recent release to at least five people and five more will get it during the holidays. But at this concert his singing was off and the guitarists seemed to have trouble following him. Everyone has bad nights. This was one. And it cost, let's be honest, $140.
mynameisearl | November 30, 2008 9:58 AM
only 2 paragraphs in to the article, the use of the word 'sh*t' appears.
who wrote this 'sh*t' ?
what do you mean by this 'sh*t' ?
why do you feel the need to use this street-lang ?
were you absent that day in school ?
show a little respect. geez.
Johnny Mack | November 29, 2008 4:45 PM
Im 57 and have sen Dylan since the 60s in Britain and Ireland and one of my aims before we are through is to see a performance such as this in the US.The theatre looks just sublime and Im green at all the lucky folk who saw the show.
Regards from Scotland,"where the Aberdeen waters flow"
Alex.
xy | November 29, 2008 2:45 PM
Tomorrow Is A Long Time was performed at Madison Square Garden, The Theater on 17-Jan-98
Jake Landry | November 29, 2008 11:13 AM
The last time I saw dylan was at the New York City Center at the end of the 2006 tour - given the price of the tkts, was a slight disappointment if only because from the balcony, all we could see was the top of his hat covered head. and the crowd seemed distracted with their blackberry's and chatting while dylan was on stage, what's with that????
but he was doing these funky slight of hand gestures as if he were conducting the band, and when he rolled out TUIB, he played around with the words and that was worth the price of admission.
he's been touring at a 100 show per year clip since his brief dalliance with the dead, and having seen him two dozen times during that span, maybe two or three shows were clinkers, another ten that were standard "dylan" shows, and the rest were head and shoulders above any other concert i've seen.
dylan at his worst is better than anyone else, kinda like democracy.
Slow Train | November 29, 2008 8:18 AM
To all the complainers....You should be so thrilled you get a chance to see Mr. Dylan. Most every show differs and as many times as I see him I still get the feeling I have just witnessed something so special. I would suggest that anyone who is not happy with this icon or his show should stay home. I sure you will find something else to bitch about....
COHEN OR DYLAN? | November 28, 2008 10:24 PM
I have seen Bob in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada three times over the last fifteen years and once in Newcastle, England eleven years ago. 50% OF THE SHOWS WERE GREAT! 50% WERE ANNOYING!
I love Bob, but a recent Leonard Cohen show in my city of Halifax showed a poet of the same vintage and talent who ACTUALLY APPRECIATES his audience. Is he more polite because he is Canadian? Just kidding (I love America!) but seriously, Bob could try to show his fans who have given him his lifestyle of affluence that he values them as HUMAN BEINGS!
YO | November 28, 2008 8:54 PM
I was there that Friday - and earlier in the summer in Brooklyn.
Bob is the best.
Thats it.
Bunny | November 28, 2008 9:01 AM
Bob is too cool for school. I wish I could have heard those songs, but seeing him election night was cool enough. I hope someday I can see Bob play guitar at a show...=)
alice feldman | November 27, 2008 9:17 PM
Bob is Bob, a genius, a sage, a poet and a man who gives his wisdom to us and the ages.
I am glad that I have known him and have had the opportunity to appreciate his career and life.
Dan | November 27, 2008 11:46 AM
Just for your information, Dylan played Tomorrow Is A Long Time at the madison square garden theater in the beginning of the decade. I know this because I have it on my bootleg of the show. Come on Rolling Stone, get it right for once. Enough Dylan ass-kissing and a little more fact checking.
AMIE | November 26, 2008 1:01 PM
HE SANG TOMORROW IS A LONG TIME?!!!!! OMG THATM IS MY FAAVEEE DYLAN SONG
eruke.wordpress.com | November 26, 2008 10:27 AM
I love the comment above about Bob finally having "developed a voice that matches the ancient wisdom always present in his lyrics." I was at the show also, and was levitated by finally hearing Gotta Serve Somebody live, I *collect* performances of that song, and until Friday my favorite version has been a show he gave in Nov 1979 in Santa Monica--but last Friday I realized that the Cotton Mather-ish brimstone of the song is so much more better served by the rocky melodic growl coming out of him now. I agree with anyone who feels that Tell Tale Signs rivals absolutely anything he's ever done, and I agree with anyone who feels he's never sung better. Did anyone besides me miss Summer Days? :)
Peter Hyatt | November 26, 2008 9:34 AM
did this crazy old man save his very best stuff for the last decade or so?
I can compare "Working Man Blues #2" to anything he has done in his entire career....his voice is as beautiful as Bing Crosby's...
He has only gotten better with time.
He appeared to "peak" in 1974 Blood on the Tracks" (of course, until we heard the New York Sessions versions of those songs; most of us never thought that much human emotion could be put into song)...and then peaked again with Rolling Thunder; then the Gospel trio, (hey, I even love Self Portrait), the the beauty of the raw acoustic albums, MTV Unplugged, Supper Club (wow!), and on and on.
Time out Of Mind was stunning. Was it his last? (1997)
Things Have Changed (2000) seemed to signal that something new was on the horizon.
Love and Theft? How do you classify that music? pop? folk? blues? swing? I dunno. I just yield to it.
Modern Times...incredible.
Then we get his "rejects" from the haunting Oh Mercy as well as the last 3 albums.
Red River Shore? Is there anything to compare that to? Visions of Johanna? Does the girl even exist? Beautiful.
Dylan has exhausted superaltives....and that is just the post 2000 Dylan!
steve | November 26, 2008 7:23 AM
Took my wife to see Dylan at Newcastle two years ago and half way through the concert she said-I like Bob but I haven/t heard a single one of these songs before, to which I replied don/t worry when he does sing one that you have heard before you won/t recognise that one either.
Thats Dylan for you Unpredictable-Unrecognisable but still Unmissable
Steve Cattani | November 25, 2008 11:24 PM
The last 15 years have been a bonanza for Dylan fans. Dozens of great songs, covers, good albums, fun (and endless) tours, funny interviews, documentaries, books, commercials, music videos, bad movies...
Bob gives us everything. We're the MOST spolied fans of any artist at any time.
VoodooWolf | November 25, 2008 11:20 PM
I find it truly laughable that people say that Bob has released some "uneven albums" when you consider, to paraphrase Bob as a younger man, the constitutional replay of mass production that get passed off as innovation these days. As a songwriter, presence, and a truly ageless voice, Bob never ceases to inspire me and most every intelligent person I know or have known.
lordbean | November 25, 2008 8:46 PM
Saw Dylan in Kansas City earlier this year--amazing is the only word to descibe him. The man has gotten BETTER with age, something unusual with performers. Now that his voice has more gravel, I find it 10 times better than it used to be. And even then, he was phenomenal. Long live Dylan, our greatest songwriter.
sharon g | November 25, 2008 8:11 PM
No one mentioned he encored with Blowin in the Wind. Highway 61 became a sing along as did All Along the Watchtower.
NY seems to love Bob as Bob loves NYC
4000 seats in an old movie theater turned church fit Sir Bob
Marc | November 25, 2008 5:05 PM
"Bob has had a very uneven career with some miserable concerts and albums".
Maybe a few uneven shows, but no miserable albums.
DylanTube.com | November 25, 2008 4:52 PM
Since Bob started playing keyboards in 2002 he has been 'working' with the band more than he ever has. Bob just wants to see his band and I know what its like because I play organ in bands myself. When you are facing the front you feel less connected t the band and it shows and sounds.
Josh - DylanTube.com
Born In Time | November 25, 2008 3:42 PM
I sympathize with the person who said that he was looking at the back of Dylan's head all night, as was 40% of the audience. I had the same experience 5 years ago but was fortunate to move my seat because most of the tickets were sold for Tom Petty who headlined. How contemptible is this, that Bob DOES NOT CARE that huge amounts of people can not even see his face and that he has been doing this for years now. Simple solution - turn your friggin' keyboard around so it is facing forward. People are paying money to see you. Bob is my favorite artist overall but he doesn't give 2 craps about you or me. If you like his stuff you're welcome to it, but he is certainly no crowd pleaser.
RL | November 25, 2008 2:37 PM
Saw him 2 weeks ago...very dissapointing.
Lenny Silverman | November 25, 2008 1:59 PM
Bob's still "the Man"...but his indifference to his audience turns me off.
mike murphy | November 25, 2008 1:11 PM
after a year of mixed revues from around the world he really ended the year on top of his game again. way to go bob leave them wanting more
Alex Lemmon | November 25, 2008 12:24 PM
Bob Dylan's voice has always been an acquired taste, but imho, he's a great singer, even if he sounds like a barking dog. missed this show, agree that him at keyboards is off putting, but what the heck.
As long as he keeps going, and carrying garcia's torch, we should be gr8ful. one day the never ending tour will end, so be there now.
Anonymous | November 25, 2008 11:31 AM
One would think that RS could at least have ran a photo from this millennium!
Lots of energy coming from the stage, a couple surprise songs to break up the 'business-as-usual' setlist, and a wonderful venue, though why people pay money to see Dylan, then talk on cell phones, gab and have to constantly go out for beer, then out to return it, always gets me. But a better than usual show from the Bobster.
jay | November 25, 2008 10:51 AM
we should be honored that Bob still tours and blesses us with his seeminly endless catalog. as far as the comment on the media giving him a "free pass" you sir are a poofter.
dylantube.com | November 25, 2008 9:01 AM
great to hear he did Gotta Serve Somebody again. If anyone has a video I'll post it on DylanTube
me | November 25, 2008 8:35 AM
He wasn't that great. The media gives him a free pass all the time--especially gutless sheets like Rolling Stone
milkcow | November 25, 2008 8:04 AM
I was there. I bought a far left row bb ticket from a ticket agency, and thought I had 2nd row. When I got there, there was no row aa, and I was in the front!!! I flipped and flipped again when I heard the opener. Gotta Serve Somebody is one of my favorites. Yay Bob!
Lucky | November 25, 2008 7:44 AM
if I could fly instead of dye
if I could be instead of let it be
if I could be then surely he
would be me and I would be he
tomorrow is a long time
and today is a long ways
from here
where is he
where is he
where is he
dear Bob
Jim Scott | November 25, 2008 6:04 AM
Photo is pre-April 94, when the recording of his "Unplugged" tv-show and album was released.
I saw Bob in Encamp (Andorra) on Sunday 22nd June 2008 and I wrote something to the effect that "his pallor would have sent Peter Lorrie´s wife running to the chemist [= "pharmacy" in NY?]".
I admire the razor sharp ears of Austin Scraggs who was able to discern the new lyrics to GSS´body, something which always fascinates me for one, but it is no easy task to achieve, given Bob´s sometimes cavalier approach to concerts.
As we all know,Bob is not everybody´s cup of tea, still less liveBob who can be very very inconsistent in concert. Encamp was excellent but the next night, in Zaragoza (Spain) was pretty average.
David Stenhouse | November 25, 2008 5:03 AM
I went to see Bob in Montreal about a week before this show and while I had no problem with his voice I didn't appreciate having to look at the back of his wide-brim hatted head all night. I had great seats but due to the stage set up which included Bob's keyboard at a right angle on the stage so he could play to his band he turned his back on about 40% of the audience.
inthealley | November 25, 2008 4:55 AM
Kujive -
MOST performers are difficult to understand live- it's more to do with acoustics than them .... and a man with a 67 yo voice is LIKELY to be a bit more difficult. I have seen Bob five times in the last year and, since I know all the songs, EVERYTHING is clear to me. Maybe you are not quite so keen on the guy ..... maybe you don't know his lyrics .... so don't waste your money, go see Beyonce instead, dummy!!!
Charli Weller | November 25, 2008 3:16 AM
How jealous I am of all you who were there! Wot a guy!
you | November 25, 2008 2:00 AM
bob destroy herself
Alan | November 25, 2008 1:55 AM
More popular than...?
Tony Stallone | November 25, 2008 1:13 AM
For the songs he's given us over the years, he doesn't have to do anything ever again- he's already earned our admiration and thanks. Anything else is icing on the cake. Genius is wonderful.
Lido B Mo | November 25, 2008 12:55 AM
I was fortunate to be there on Friday Night to see Bob at the [United] Palace. It was particularly enjoyable and appropriate to see and hear an immensely entertaining performance from Bob in an opulent Theatre that was built in 1930 like a cathedral for motion pictures and vaudeville acts [like the song-and-dance man Bob always has professed to be]. Later, after being run-down for many years, it was then restored and evolved into an actual church [for the 'Reverend Ike']. Some 'Church Ladies' actually were stationed in the lobby areas selling popcorn as a fund raiser before the concert. Anyway, whether or not one could actually make out the individual words during Bob's performance, there was an immense outpouring of emotion in his vocals and instrumentals, on harmonica, organ, and a few songs on guitar. Quite a lot of energy and enjoyment being shown on stage, too. Seemed like there was a definite exchange going on between the performers and the audience who, for the most part, seemed very joyful to be there. It was also interesting to see how now, about forty-five years after Dylan started performing in NYC, he has finally developed a voice that matches the ancient wisdom always present in his lyrics.
captain jack | November 25, 2008 12:27 AM
re: the photo----it's from mtv unplugged back in the early 1990s.
CR1ZZ | November 24, 2008 11:28 PM
I would'nt get a chance to see him anyway. I live in new zealand. But I too am blown away to be alive in the time zone as him!
MarkHunt | November 24, 2008 11:15 PM
Bob has had a very uneven career with some miserable concerts and albums. But better that than some artist who gives you Bs all the time. When Bob soars, no one on earth soars higher. I feel blessed just to be living in the same period of history as this guy. BTW... is the photo attached to this article him at this recent concert? If so, it's an improvement over some other recent photographs I've seen of him. MH
Lee Cadaver | November 24, 2008 8:53 PM
"he absolutely destroyed shit up"?...
JokerOC | November 24, 2008 8:49 PM
Bob is the best. It's good to know he's still out there, especially in these times. It goes to show no matter how much pop polish and crap they try and shove down our throats guys like Dylan always stand out.
bayleyasher | November 24, 2008 8:47 PM
ohhh bobby.
kujive | November 24, 2008 8:44 PM
Who is your interpreter-last time I saw Dylan in concert - I could not understand a word he sang
Chuck Zlatkin | November 24, 2008 7:45 PM
Yes!