Dylan "Out of Time"

Last night I went to see the Bob Dylan Band at NY's Beacon Theater. It's the second time I have seen a Dylan show, the first was only last summer. My impression? That the show should be judged more as a piece of art rather than a musical performance. The set, including costumes, was all red and black, with some occasional maroon lighting and for a while a blue backdrop dotted with stars. The curtains were purposefully draped and occasionally changed following the flow of the performance.

Dylan sings unintelligably, in fits and starts, and rocks mechanically back in forth while playing piano (which aside from occasional harmonica is the only instrument he plays in the show), and so my guess he is making an artistic statement in other ways than simply his music. Not 'guess' - that's what he's doing. He is not trying to be the audience's friend up there on stage, as are many singer songwriters that I often see - he is a piece of work separate from the audience, and there simply to be observed, not bonded with.

I was wondering what it must be like for Dylan to be a performer in these days that are so unlike the halycon days of his youth, when he was one of the forces pushing our culture. In today's world he is simply a survivor, something out of place in the mainstream of society but being true to his art, he is adding to his legacy which will long outlive his own physical life. I'm glad I went, but also glad to have partaken in a Gray's Papaya recession special (2 dogs and a papaya drink) afterwards, walking in just as the opening chords of Sergeant Peppers blasted through the speakers.