Bob Dylan in Madrid: Reclusive, Resilient, and Unique | culture

He went on stage at 9:45pm and left at 11:30pm. In total, 105 minutes in which he didn’t say hello or goodbye. Mutter three or four “thanks” here and there. not explained like a rolling stone, no knock on heaven’s door, no Reeling by air, no tornado. In short: he hasn’t played any of his classics. I also don’t blow my symbolic harmonica. He demanded that they place the piano (the only instrument he played) four meters from the edge of the stage, where he had taken refuge for the night. Was it Bob Dylan or his reflection? Who do you know. And for all that said, it was a heavy concert, with plenty to be said for flashes of brilliance. It happened last night at the beginning of the music session Vegetarian nights, in Madrid, and was the first concert of the tour that will see an additional 11 dates in Spain (the next day again on this stage). It rained a lot before we started. But the water stopped as soon as the legend of Duluth began to sing. 2,200 sold out, all seated.

It is necessary to comment that this record was written by foreigners, because the teacher did not allow journalistic accreditation to photographers or historians. Hence, the photo with which we illustrate the piece is from 2019, from his concert in London’s Hyde Park. There is no other. Mobile phones were also banned, which all spectators placed in sealed bags that could only be opened when the music stopped.

Dylan does not want what is happening in his novel to be told in a dissociative situation which provides more character quirkiness. But even if he doesn’t want to, you have to tell this Twilight Dylan, nothing satisfied, intimate, Bluesman He’s old (82), even hilarious at one point. He presented a blues party mainly based on his latest work (Juice Rough and noisy roads 2020) and we’re hardly looking back. And it turned out to be warm and funny. He was accompanied by a good band (drums, 2 guitars, bass and another musician who played the steel guitar and violin), which surrounded the heroine and almost always remained motionless, without taking her eyes off the hands of her boss. At some stages there was a flailing instrument development, a relief at a time when concerts are already coming from the studio with sound as perfect as it is unnatural. Last night it was different: mismatches, failures, improvisations arose. Natural things happen when there are humans in charge. He, always at the piano, stands and sings, though when he doesn’t have to use his voice he takes the opportunity to sit for a few seconds and rest. But he was seen doing well at the age of 82. We were all signing his personalities: He plays an average of 100 concerts a year.

The place was quiet, with a brown curtain in the background and little else. The musicians came out dressed in black and only a few lights in the background broke the general gloom. No screens, no mandangas. Dylan performed as if he were painting his life on canvas. He spoke of ideas, of black knights riding a narrow road, of lonely men who lost the girl who broke his heart, of crossing the Rubicon despite the dangers involved on the other side… He told Dylan’s story last night in the most intimate plane. How to sing in lyrics I gather crowdsa theme from his latest album which he performed in the first part of the concert, “I interpret Songs of Experience as William Blake and I Don’t Have to Apologize Because Everything Flows.”

We must speak of her voice, full of nuances, with those usual inflections of her voice which are so heavily imitated and with some coarseness that they give beauty and truth at the same time. Although wear was a lot. He cut through the blues with a powerful elastic sound. Sometimes a gloomy mist seemed to reach the spectators. His voice was pleading in old age and full of biting humour.

Included in the repertoire of almost all of his later works, Rough and noisy roads: Topics like Black Rider, Goodbye Jimmy Reed, Key West Hello, handsome Or think. And then songs were picked from records like Nashville Skylinefrom which it was made to be alone with you; John Wesley Harding from which he bombed I’ll be your baby tonight, or the slow train is coming, Where did you choose? Gotta serve someone.

tray in the shoe

And is that the veteran musician never made it easy, and that was interesting, a stance his fans, accustomed to steep paths, have taken as part of their devotion to the legend. For Bob Dylan, it would be incredibly easy to play a handful of classics, be a stage magician, bring up some of the usual pep talk and even smile. But he does not belong to this mortal world Welcome; He also did not want to look like Mick Jagger or Bruce Springsteen, who are presented to the public what do you wish. No: Chinese Dylan in Boots, uncomfortable, unpleasant, will make you suffer and will make you rethink why the hell I spent 120 Euros to be there, under the spray, waiting Like a rolling stone This will never come however it will be worth it. At this point in his career, nothing is at stake when he takes to the stage. You play to be consistent with yourself. and he.

The concert ended with All Grande of SandAnd One of the highlights of the weak album A shot of love from his Christian stage. A psalm far from being chosen at random reads: “In the moment of my confession, in the hour of my greatest need, when the pool of tears under my feet engulfs every newly born seed, there is a dying voice within me reaching out somewhere.” What a thrilling ending: the dying voice up somewhere. Last night to 2200 special people. 11 dates left; If you can, don’t miss it.

Right outside the venue, a street musician started playing Dylan’s songs. Many of those present left to listen Mr.. tambourine man. This was the closest I got to enjoying a song Dylan classic.