Bob Dylan in concert (pic heavy)...

[speedoo]

This is from a concert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany this summer (anywhere near you, MHC?)... I'm pretty sure it's on the Rhine-Herne Canal. Dylan is on the keyboards, dressed in black. Throughout Europe, he has many, many fans and the concerts always sell out.



Here is the band at work, in Philadelphia just last week. They basically just stand there and play, no goofy stuff, just grooving to the music. The lead guitarist, in the foreground, hardly moves at all but the dude can really play. The bassist, on acoustic bass in this photo with his back to the camera, kind of coordinates the band, but Dylan is definitely in charge.



At the end of the last concert in NYC Monday night. Great little venue... I was there!!



They just stand there, taking in the applause and cheers, respectfully looking at the crowd. Extremely cool.



Here he is in a recent pr photo...



and on his first album cover, 46 years ago...



Dude has aged a lot. He's had a lot on his mind and he's worked pretty damn hard.

[Mr. Blonde]

1. Be hard to find someone cooler than Dylan

I read an article about him the other day talking about just that. It pointed out how a little mystery goes a long way. He has been making music for so long and yet he keeps a tight lid on what gets out about him, where people know everything about so many other entertainers.

[speedoo]

5. I think he knows his mystique is a big asset.

Of course, that's the way he wants it, so that's the way it is.

At the concert Monday night, the last concert of this tour, he said, while introducing the band, something like..."It's not easy playing this kind of music......... but these fellas seem to do allright."

Now, everyone who knows anything about him knows he NEVER uses anykind of superlatives to talk about anything, including his own music or the people he plays with. Yet, there are actually some Dylanfreaks who are interpreting this comment of his as a statement that he does not think his band is very good, and that big changes are in store for next year. It's the silliest thing.

And then there is a big debate going on about whether or not he will play the guitar again instead of keyboards.

Of course no one will ever know of any changes he will make about anything, until he actually does it.

[lizziegrace]

2. Happy Birthday Speedoo!!

:party:


:toast:


:)

[speedoo]

3. Thanks, lizziegrace!

Forty ain't so bad.....

(yeah, right... if only):silly:

How was your Thanksgiving?:hug:

[lizziegrace]

4. It was okay

I missed Lelapin like crazy, but my friend and her family were very kind and I had a good time.

How was yours?

:hug:

[speedoo]

6. Mine was good.

My kids are much older than Lelapin, and they were not here, but I will see them at Christmas time.

And they both called me today for my birthday. They are the light of my life!

Damn kids... they get to ya, don't they. And we've had this conversation before, right?:hug:

[lizziegrace]

7. I think we have

:hug:

They'll be with us at Christmas and that's the most important thing.

:)

[mokawanis]

8. Saw him on Halloween

in Madison WI. It was my 4th Dylan show and I'd love to see him again. I have tremendous respect for the guy, still making good music and hitting the road.

[speedoo]

9. I first saw him in 1974.

It was in Washington, DC, one of his last concerts with The Band. Saw him again a few years later in Rochester, NY in The Rolling Thunder Review tour. Then went into a Dylan-less funk for 30 years, but I woke up and saw him twice this year.

His last two albums are good as anything he's ever done... not bad for a geezer.

There is nobody like him. Not even close.

[graywarrior]

10. Thanks so much for this speedoo

Next concert, you & I, right?

[speedoo]

11. Absolutely.

I am looking forward to it... meeting you and seeing Bob. At the same time... what have I done to deserve something that good?

There are lots more pix of the tour on the dylan pool site, plus a KILLER mp3 of the live debut of Ain't Talkin. It's amaaaaazing.

I'll post links if you need them, okay?

[graywarrior]

12. PM them, and happy birthday, dude

[speedoo]

13. Thanks!

On the way in a couple of minutes.

[jen4clark]

14. So happy

I wandered into the Lounge and caught this!! Wow!! THANK YOU, Speedoo!!

I just bought -- after wanting it for many, many years --- the big fat Bob Dylan Lyrics book! What an amazing poet he is! I know there's a newer version, but it cost quite a bit more, and he really hasn't put out that much between 2001 and now. Comparatively speaking, that is.

Oh, and have you seen No Direction Home? I accidentally caught it on PBS one night, and loved it! Something else I may have to buy for myself after the holidays! ;)

Thanks again, for the fantastic photos!

[graywarrior]

15. Makes me so happy there are so many Dylan fans here

[jen4clark]

17. Me too!

I pray he lives to a ripe old age, in good health.

I had a hard time when Garcia died -- still can't listen to some of my Garcia Band CD's without crying, and I've been a Dylan fan longer than I was a Garcia fan.

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

-For and by Bob Dyan

[graywarrior]

19. He is a ripe old age, kinda. But I know what you mean

Life on earth with the Bobster would be sooooooo empty.

[speedoo]

16. You're welcome.

Graywarrior has turned me into a Dylanfreak, so she gets major credit.

Now I want THIS for Xmas, and will be dropping major hints to my kids:

http://dvd.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1225465.php/Dylan%92s_Don%92t_Look_Back_gets_2

[graywarrior]

20. Well, I can post the pic for ya.

[speedoo]

21. Thanks.

The dude's not afraid to look you in the eye, huh?

I am VERY anxious to hear what you thought of the Ain't Talkin' download.

I am officially pronouncing it Bob's greatest live performance ever.

[graywarrior]

23. Have to wait til tomorrow.

I live in a tiny little place and I don't want to wake people. I will PM you for sure.

[speedoo]

24. OK.

I'll be on the road for the weekend, maybe early, so you may not hear back from me for a while.

You were able to download it OK, then?

[idgiehkt]

18. aged alot yeah, but he still looks rather like himself

alot of people when they age look nothing like their young selves at all. Dylan at least just looks like older Dylan.

[speedoo]

22. Agreed.

I deliberately looked for two photos in which he looked as different as he ever has.

But he's the same man. And we are lucky for that.